FALSE IDENTITY

PROLOGUE

"No, please, don't do this to me, not now of all times!"

Desperate, the girl was looking at the car that had just stopped running by the side of the road. She had travelled half the route to her destination. The car was a second-hand bargain, and every now and then broke down.

She turned the key in the ignition several times, but to no avail. The engine purred hoarsely a couple of times, and died out. She took a deep breath and sighed resignedly. She quickly grabbed the shabby backpack from the passenger's seat, and then got out of the car, not even bothering to lock it. She was at about a twenty-minute distance from where she was to meet Robert. She looked at the watch. If she hurried, with a bit of luck, she would reach there on time. She pulled her cap down to cover her face, threw the bag on her shoulder and hit the road with small and hurried steps. When she looked at her feet, an appreciative smile flowered on her lips, and she congratulated herself to have been inspired to put on her worn-out tennis shoes, which were both comfortable and practical.

She was walking briskly, yet focused on what was happening around her. She was studying the passers-by running up and down the street, without even noticing what was happening around them. It was so sad that no one would stop to contemplate and enjoy the small worldly nothings that would lighten the soul: to watch the blossoming trees, breathe the fresh, springlike air or memorize the children's angelic smiles, as well as the passionate looks cast secretly by the pairs of lovers. It felt like everyone was running frantically, hoping to find happiness, but no one realized that the happiness they were running after was right there, present in every moment of their lives which they wasted ignorantly and carelessly.

She reached there almost on time. She slowed down the pace when she wasonly a few blocks away from the spot where she was to meet him. The heavy andpungent smell warned her that she was almost there. She was at the end of thestreet, a point that actually marked the beginning of another world. In thepoor outskirts streets, it was all about survival. The needy were strugglingand one could hardly believe it was real. She had been brought up in Los Angeles and she stillcould not requiring a watch. She tenderly ruffled the sun-bleached hair believe that in this wonderful city there were two totally different worlds: a world of abundance, wealth and excessive luxury, next to a world of misery, poverty and helplessness. She stopped for a few seconds panting, and breathed in the still breathable air. Then she turned right and went slowly down a narrow lane, scouting carefully the people around. The screams, noises and starvation were overwhelming to begin with, and the air filled with oblivion made one's heart break. In front of her, next to the garbage can, a few dirty, wretched kids were screaming and running, waving some sticks up in the air and minutes later, poked the ground with impulsive, clear-cut moves. When she reached them, the girl had to quickly step back. A starving rat sprang out next to her chased by the kids, who were terribly amused. The foul garbage and stale meat stench was breathtaking, turning one's insides out.

She was trembling, but not with fear or disgust, triggered by the stench, but with guilt and helplessness, because she could not do more for these poor, unfortunate souls.

"It seems like you still haven't grown used to these grievous images or odors." The girl turned suddenly and her face lit up when her eyes met Robert. "I'm glad to see you and, for God's sake, nobody could get used to such a thing, Rob!" "You're late!" Robert cut in, acting cool. „You wouldn't know, you don't have a watch", she provoked him with glittering eyes.

Robert sniffed offended. He raised his eyes to the skies and looked at the sun. "You know it well, Jo, that I don't need a watch, I have a strong, internal sense of time, and for the moment my eyes and the sun will do."