The Second Brother

They Called Her The Mirrored 'A'

Chapter 2

Sam shook incredulously as she peered through the crack in the wardrobe she was hiding in. The wardrobe was so tiny, that it could have been a cupboard. Sam slapped her hand over her mouth. She was sobbing uncontrollably, the tears pouring like skinny salt rivers down her face. Samantha knew she was pathetic, she knew she was weak. When situations like this came around, as they often did now, Sam always found herself bargaining with the situation. In her head she was thinking she could reveal herself and beg to be let go. Beg for the forgiveness of a foolish girl ahead of her game. But Samantha was no longer a silly girl; the past 7 months had forced her to evolve. She tried to concentrate on her shaking; she couldn't afford to make a sound.

The men in thick leather jackets and black masks continued to tear her hotel room apart, chewing up her clothes and furniture.

'It shouldn't matter.' Samantha informed herself.

The new life she had chosen had no place for such childlike attachments. They were... inappropriate. Sam could feel herself starting to breath out of control. She was going to get captured and killed and that was going to be the end of it. Samantha closed her eyes. Immediately she could feel them around her; Hot, sharp and masculine. Their hands, their barbaric scent, absorbing her innocence like a dirty sponge. She felt the heaviness in her eyes set in. There was no Sam. That unsightly flower got trampled a long time ago. There was only Angelica. And Angelica had a plan.

Angelica pushed the wardrobe doors open to reveal herself to her would be killers. To Angelica, hiding was a farce that made her bored after a while. She was unarmed wearing nothing but a silk nightdress and gown. Angelica couldn't care less what her attackers were carrying. She had their attention, she knew. Angelica settled in a chair and began to lounge, stretching out her long chocolate legs. She was aware she was sexy. Angelica could see she had puzzled the masked men. Sam was an imbecile, the only thing people like this responded to was fearlessness and power. And she had power. Over her assailants and over the very wealthy man who sent them.

Angelica smiled whimsically, pouring herself a tall glass of champagne. She looked at the masked man who seemed to be the boss of the two and gestured at the window. The man went towards it and pulled the curtain back. There was an opposing room and window across the street to hers and in it was a middle aged man with binoculars taking notes.

'There's three of them. They meet up at random times during the day every day and compare notes of my well-being and whereabouts. Upon my death those oh so sensitive photos of your boss will hit the paper within the hour. Unless they all note my being alive and well of course.' Angelica smirked enjoying the dryness of her drink, the bubbles sizzling upon her tongue.

'Get out of my room.' She told her attackers firmly. 

The older of the two slung the curtain back and noted to the other one with a nod to leave, burning an aggressive defeat as he left the room with his partner, purposely causing more damage.

'Oh, and tell the Duke to be a good boy and pay up!' Angelica sang after them.

When the two men were clear out of sight Angelica loosened the control on the shaking of her hand, spilling champagne on herself. She ignored the wave of relief she felt from their leaving. Angelica spotted the frost pink lipstick still intact on the side counter and went to pick it up. With it she headed for the mirror and drew two capital A's. This would help her remember. Samantha Woods was dead. Samantha, Angelica's predecessor was murdered by a woman called Cathleen Clankstone. She was dead. People in her new world only knew Angelica Angelique, the mirrored 'A'. Samantha Woods was dead.