The boys and I rounded the last corner of our route, according to Katerina's instructions
we should be a few doors down from Popov's storefront. This was the place, a faded old sign
hung over the doorway, it read Treasures and Trinkets the windows had bars on them and
stenciled to the glass beside the door were the posted hours and the proprietors name Gregor X.
Popov. "It appears we have just under an hour until close." Tannin states acutely. Josef takes
the lead through the old narrow door and we all follow him.
Unsurprisingly the inside is dark with an even darker décor. The items in the room
however look to be of high quality. A glass case at the rear of the shop draws my attention while
the others take their time looking at the wares. As I get to the case, an old man steps forward
through the door behind it. "Hello" he addresses me, "Can I show you something from the case,
these are some of my finest items"
I shrug, really wanting to get to business but I manage to slow myself down a little.
"This is a nice shop you have here sir, I was in another shop on the other side of town this
morning owned by a nice lady. She had some beautiful clothes. Do you know what shop I am
speaking of?" I asked. The boys are all standing behind me now.
The man observes us for a moment and then walks out from behind his display case. He
pauses and looks at us again through his spectacles, and then he continues to the front door
stopping to twists the three locks to secure it closed. Next, he flips his Open sign around and
walks back to our group. "Let us all go into the back, I have some chairs we can use to sit and
talk. Katerina messaged me that she was sending a few lost lambs my way and hoped I could
help. Now that I have seen you, I‟m not sure you understand how lost you really are" he
concluded.
This sure wasn't starting the way I had imagined.
After we each introduced ourselves, Gregor continued to lead the conversation "I will try
to be brief on my part because you seem to have much to tell, first when you leave try to wear
jackets or long sleeves. You are the only four teenagers within a hundred miles without any
tattoos on your bodies, which is highly irregular in this town. Second, show me these Rubles and
let me see if I can help. Kate is a dear friend who spent many years caring for my ill wife. I owe
her a large debt so I will see what I can do for you.
Fredrik gently pulled several of the Russian Notes out of his bag and handed them to
Popov. Gregor pulled some magnifying spectacles out of his shirt pocket and put them on. He
held the currency close to his face, and then up to the light. "How did these come into your
possession?" He asked us rather bluntly.
Josef gave a quick retort "Tell us if they are worth anything to you, and then we will fill
YOU ARE READING
Space & Time
AdventureWritten in 2014 the storyline involves an almost crystal ball view of Putin's growing aggression towards Ukraine. Mikhailya Groschev was born in the year 1952 in the Soviet Union controlled Ukraine. Her father is an Astrophysicist and a Cosmonaut...