Shadows of Death

Chapter 3(Christopher section 2)

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Yesterday afternoon, after eating lunch with his grandfather, he was on the first flight to Istanbul. When he arrived in the Istanbul airport, without exiting the airstrip he was guided by two unfamiliar men to a private jet. The jet which was taking him to New York now. The only thing he knew when he sat in the jet was that the crew – only two women – and pilots were from Turkey. But before the jet took off one of those two unfamiliar men who guided him to the jet gave him a passport and told him: "It's yours, sir."

Charlie know what the passport was. They had had planned with his grandfather for Christopher to fly to the USA under an assumed name. So they needed forged documents, too. He looked at the first page of the passport. It showed he was a British citizen with the name Alex Richards who was born eighteen years ago in Manchester. They even showed him two years older in this passport. Now he was eighteen years old, not sixteen.

A voice said to him, "Mr. Richards? Your coffee." Christopher looked at the Turkish woman who was one of the two flight attendants. On a silver tray she extended a white cup of coffee and made a smile on her lips for respect. Christopher picked up the coffee. She straightened with a thick English accent said: "The pilot asked me to tell you we will land in the next few minutes at John F. Kennedy Airport."

Christopher nodded but he didn't say anything. The flight attendant woman was still smiling as she went back to the rear of the airplane. Christopher was alone just like a few minutes ago.

He was the only passenger of the jet. At the beginning of the flight, the flight attendant who brought him coffee came and tried to flirt with Christopher. But he ignored her and she went back empty-handed. Besides things like bringing coffee, lunch and snacks, she didn't come close to Christopher during the trip. The pilot in mid-flight came out from his cabin and with a sycophantic voice gave him a report, something like: "Everything is normal and we will be at John F. Kennedy before six p.m."

When the airplane landed Christopher was sure he was a skilled pilot. He landed the plane very comfortably. Christopher didn't even so much as spill his coffee!

The airplane landed on the runway. The pilot and co-pilot smiled and as they put on their jackets they opened the cabin door and came toward Christopher. When they arrived to where Christopher sat, the pilot said: "I hope you enjoyed your flight, sir."

Christopher just nodded. He didn't know how much money his grandfather spent to get them to speak with such a warm and kind voice! He got up from the seat, put on his black coat, and watched the flight attendants open the door of plane. When the door opened one of the flight attendants picked up Christopher's small suitcase waited for him there. Another flight attendant, the one who brought the coffee for him, stood in front of the door and with a smile waited for Christopher there.

Christopher got down from the jet and took his suitcase at the end of the stairs. Then he got in the golf cart waiting to take him to the main airport building. It took less than five minutes. During the ride the black-skinned man who was driving the car didn't speak to him, didn't ask any questions and didn't smile. It seemed he knew better than anyone else the character of Christopher! After only eight minutes he was out of the airport. Once he exited the airport a taxi driver came toward him and asked: "Can I help you, sir?!"

Christopher understood his meaning so he gave his suitcase to him and got into the back seat of the yellow cab. The driver quickly put the suitcase in the trunk.

He got back in the car, turned his head a little and politely asked: "Where to, sir?"

Christopher simply said: "Take me to a poor neighborhood!"

The taxi driver with an open mouth replied: "A...poor neighborhood?"

It seemed he couldn't believe someone who came out now from John. F. Kennedy International Airport wanted to go to a poor neighborhood instead of choosing a luxury and expensive place.

Christopher to the taxi driver's surprise nodded and said: "Move."

The taxi driver was not completely out of shock yet but he nodded and with a little delay said: "Yes...yes, sir!"

The car moved and drove out onto the New York City streets. Christopher was here with his grandfather three years ago for treatment of his stomach problem. Three years ago they went to the famous Manhattan neighborhoods and settled on one of the most famous and high priced hotels. But now Christopher didn't have any desire for these luxury hotels. He didn't look too carefully at the city like three years ago, so he didn't see any reason to choose an expensive hotel. He did not enjoy his grandfather's riches, and since long ago these riches didn't bring him any pleasure. His goal now was to find the red carnelian bracelet. So it was not so important for him whether he stayed in a five-star hotel or a little pension in the poor part of town!

This was not the only difference in Christopher's trip. Three years ago, he didn't know a word of English, but now he could speak like a native. Three years ago when he came to the USA, he needed to stay one year for his treatment so he began to learn English here. Even when he was in prison he read English books. Not for any specific purpose, he just did it as entertainment. But he was happy because he could read, write and speak the English language.

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Continue: Chapter 3 (Christopher section 3)

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