The Hidden Toxin ✔(#6 in the Our Side of The Dice Series)

Chapter 18: Dead Pool

"Viktoriya, " Ebun blinked twice. "You may have to cover up for me tonight. I might come home late, " she told the brunette after reading Sean's reply to her text. This time, she hoped that Viktoriya would do the lying well. Ebun wasn't ready to hear Mrs. Mariyah's cold yelling.

"Oh. Okay. I understand." Viktoriya answered like she saw it coming. "But I'm scared for you. I'm afraid that you probably exposed yourself at the cafeteria."

"Don't worry, Vik. Trust me. I didn't. By the way, I'm sorry for sharing your story with those girls without your consent."

"Oh, I understand that. You're doing everything for my sake, even though it's a transactional thing. You're still taking the risk."

"Thank you for understanding. I'm afraid I have to go now, " a sense of urgency overwhelmed Ebun as she patted Viktoriya's shoulder, preparing to run.

"Board a taxi at Dolotov park. The taxi drivers are nicer to students, so you could get a cheap ride, " Viktoriya advised.

"Okay. Thanks!" Ebun replied before jogging out of the school's premises.

***

Viktoriya was right about the taxi drivers. Dolotov park reminded her of the okada riders in Lagos. Motorcycles clustered together at a spot, motorcyclists chatting and laughing with one another while staying alert for prospective customers to approach at any minute.

A particular Caribbean driver was eager to give Ebun a ride amongst the other taxi drivers who flashed smiles at her. He said he liked her because they both had dark skin. Joyfully, Ebun accepted the ride, knowing that he probably won't even let her pay a dime. More importantly, he understood the English Language, unlike the other chauffeurs who babbled roughly in Russian and sounded like warriors.

"Please take me to Arbat Street, " Ebun requested of the Caribbean man. She believed he'd know the place since it was a street for pedestrians and was always rowdy.

Minutes after the driver got to Arbat Street, Ebun had to insist that he didn't have to drive her into the street based on the fact that it was filled with too many pedestrians, traders, motorcycles, barb wires and was too jam-packed. But the truth was, she knew better than to expose the psycho barracks. She couldn't risk anything. She couldn't afford to let the man know about such a place.

"Don't worry, sir, I promise you I'll be okay, " she forced a smile which made the scar on her lip widen, making a funny movement. She couldn't remember the last time she'd smiled that much, and it was pathetic that it still wasn't a genuine smile.

"But it's very rowdy in that street. I can't let you struggle on your way—" 

"You've done a lot for me by driving me all the way here, sir. You don't have to bother anymore. Trust me. I'll find my way. Here's a dollar for you, sir. Keep the change, " Ebun shoved the dollar into the breast pocket of his shirt when the man refused to stretch his hand and accept the money.

Without waiting for any further opposition, Ebun jogged her way into Moscow's busiest street and didn't look back at the taxi driver until she got muddled in between the shops, passersby, and the hawkers.

She took a moment to gaze into the sky after successfully dodging harsh bodily contact with the traders especially. The rooftops of the high buildings served as a shade from the afternoon sun.  The barb wires swinging from the end of one house to another looked like something out of a carnival. She could see that building that looked like the leaning tower of Pisa. Again she feared that the building would crash-land on her.

Still, as Ebun kept walking, she couldn't help but get flashbacks of Sean holding her hand the first time she walked through this street, and unconsciously she grinned cheekily and genuinely this time. It was ironic how Sean's hard-textured, calloused palm could produce so much warmth—warmth that she suddenly started to feel all over again in that moment even though he was absent.