Operation Hope

Fact One: If you run fast, you will eventually bump into someone

Operation Expel. Hope typed the words into Google. Within 0.67 of a second her search query popped up. Could the internet have been faster? Probably but considering that this was only the second time Hope had had the chance to even use the internet since arriving in Thailand, she wasn't complaining. 

As quickly as possible Hope scanned her brown eyes over the links that had popped up. Frustration began rising within her, as well as another feeling—panic maybe? It was hard to pin point, especially since Hope's mind was still trying to comprehend the fact that was becoming glaringly clear: the site was gone. 

Operation Expel had been erased. As if it had never been there. So what was downloaded on Hope's laptop?

Suddenly she knew the feeling bubbling within her stomach. Warning. She'd felt it once before. When Bryce had told her about Operation Expel. When he'd commanded her to tell no one. When he'd disappeared. And when she'd decided to run. Now she felt that same tightness in her stomach. Something bad was going to happen and she needed to leave. Now.

Quickly clearing the search history the way Bryce had taught her, Hope hurried over to the bamboo counter.

There was no one there. Where had the cafe manager gone? Hope glanced over her shoulder. Everything seemed normal. There were two other customers at the internet cafe, both consumed with the screens before them.

Hope began tapping her foot nervously. She needed to get away from the cafe and yet her mother's diligent teachings in honesty forbad her from leaving without paying for the time she had spent on the computer.

The door dinged behind her. Someone had entered. Hope's heart fluttered. Come on, she chided herself, you're being paranoid. But wasn't that exactly what Bryce had told her to be? Paranoid. Worried? Weren't these the things he'd said she must have if they were to survive?

Without turning around, Hope stole a look behind her. A man in a dark shirt with black pants was taking in the interior of the cafe. Then slowly he moved over to the computer that Hope had been using. Hope's heart sank. He was here for her. She just knew it.

Pulling out a wad of cash she left it on the counter and turned to leave, forcing herself to walk as normally as she could she exited the building.

As soon as her feet hit the broken concrete that made up the sidewalk, Hope began running. 

She had only made it a few paces from the shop door when she heard the footsteps. She was being followed. Even with all the din of the Thailand street venders and commotion, Hope knew the pattern. Her stalker was matching her pace yet not over taking her. She sped up. Lose him. It was the only thought that Hope could focus on. The same words Bryce had said their last meeting together. When her boyfriend had told her of Operation Expel, of the people who were after him. His last words to her had been when he looked out the window of her bedroom to see the man sitting in his car. Just watching them. He'd told her to do whatever it took. To lose him. Hope wished she could let her mind wander back to that moment in time, but the steps behind her forced her mind to stay in the present. She needed to disappear.

Ducking into a crowded portion of the street market she made her way to a tent advertising ripe fruit. Even though she was focusing on the task at hand, Hope couldn't help letting her mouth form a small smile at the state of the fruit. It was anything but ripe. 

Sliding behind the fruit stands colorful tapestries, Hope reversed directions. Pausing a moment she glanced around the market place. No one stood out. Either the person who was after was a native or he was searching further up the street.

Deciding it was safe, Hope stepped out. She had made it no more then three feet up the cobblestone street, then she felt strong hands grasp her wrists, wrenching her arms behind her. Hope was pushed toward a sideways alley. She struggled as much as she could. But her captor was stronger and taller and using it to his advantage. There was no way Hope could win the battle of strength. For a moment she considered screaming, but as if reading her thoughts, the person holding her arms leaned down and whispered harshly, "scream and I'll kill you here."