I Am... Ashanti

Biding Time

I felt the vibration by my thigh before my phone burst into a crescendo of sound, fumbling to grab at it, I looked around to find others glaring at me angrily.

Quickly standing up and turning off the microfiche I'd been using, I picked up the phone and hissed into it.

"Hershel? What are you calling me for, I told you I'd be-" I began before he cut me off. His words stopped me cold and I looked around.

"What? Are you absolutely certain? Alright, I'm on my way." Moving back to my station, I grappled for my things and made a speedy exit towards the door, as I looked up towards the table Ms. Margaret was usually working away dutifully I noticed she wasn't there. Perhaps she'd taken a lunch break, or gone to the loo I thought.

This wasn't a good development. According to Hershel whilst working on his invention, he'd detected a flux in the space time continuum, occurring in the distant past. That meant somebody from Old London was attempting to access this day and time. Seeing as my mother had only entrusted my escape to Hershel, it was clear that wasn't going to be somebody friendly.

Walking speedily towards our town house, I could sense somebody walking behind me. But perhaps that was the paranoia talking? London was a crowded city obviously I'd hear footsteps behind me.

Slowing down, I stooped to pick something off the ground just to be certain. Pinpointing the steps I'd heard following me steadily I noted they'd also slowed down with me. Discreetly taking my phone out of my handbag I dialed Hershel's number and walked into an icecream palour. The individual loitered outside, pretending to be examining their surroundings all the while keeping a trained eye on me. Their hand continuously moved to their ear and I noticed an imperceptible movement of their lips. This wasn't good.

"Ashanti? What is it?" he asked, I could hear the scratching of a pen in the background.

"Listen Hershel, I'm being tailed, and I think they have backup. Tall, dressed in all black, most definitely female although she has a hat covering her face. Talking into an earpiece, just barely noticeable." I whispered to him.

"I could always come pick you up?" he asked

"No! Hershel listen if they take your existence into accountance, they can get of technological leeway. We don't know what they want yet, you need to stay out of the picture ok? I'll just, uh get a taxi. Maybe lead them around for a while?"

"Ok Ashanti. Whatever you think is best, but if you don't want my help why not use-"

"Hershel, it's imperative that we keep them in the dark, unless they prove to know anything. Only then can I take extreme measures."

I heard Hershel sigh. It meant he conceded with my statement.

"I'll see you Hersh. Hopefully."

"Don't you speak that way. I'll see you home for dinner. Think through each move Ashanti."

"Always."

Hoping that'd I'd been wrong I looked out the window, perhaps it was just my being , overly sensitive in such situations. But there they were, talking to some old woman and pointing at the Big Ben. Perhaps, I'd be able to make a break for it during her moment of distraction. Glancing at the counter I placed a ten pound note in the tip jar and walked out, attempting to make as little noise as possible.

Just as I thought I had gotten the all clear I felt a hand clap my shoulder. Damn it.

"Excuse me love, do you happen to have the time?" An man, who appeared to be in his 50s asked me, I felt momentary relief until I realized, Big Ben is right overhead. Unless this man happened to be legally blind, it was highly unlikely that he couldn't see it.

"Excuses-moi ?" I said quickly slipping into French "je ne comprends pas monsieur. Je juis tres desoleé"  Before slipping away. Quite frankly, they needed to try harder I thought as I looked back at the man, who glared back at me, visibly seething.

So, there was more than one person that had been sent. I suppose this meant it had become of top priority.

But then again, if they'd been able to recruit so many people to their side. Why was it we were yet to see the puppet master themselves? It seemed this was an important issue to them, and after all we've often heard the ancedote, if you want something done right do it yourself.

So what on earth was going on?

"That was a very slick move on your part." A voice said interrupting my train of thought. At the door of Hershel and I's town home stood the figure of the woman who had been tailing me earlier.

And to believe I thought I'd lost her.
Damn.