Anonymous: Expect Us

part eleven

We continued into the restaurant and a waitress led us to a table. As we sat down she asked what drinks we wanted and wrote them down, going to the kitchen shortly after, leaving me and Anastasia alone to talk.

"So what's your job in Anonymous?"

"I'm not even completely sure yet, Dimitri was supposed to teach me. Then things got," my voice trailed off and I hesitated finishing the sentence.

"Rough?" Anastasia cut in.

"Yeah, rough. I can't really see him anymore so I don't know what I do now. There's really no one else to help me."

"I mean there's always Enid, she doesn't do everything Dimitri does, but she knows the basics," she shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, with Dimitri leaving and everything how am I going to learn more than just 'the basics'," she looked at me confused for a second.

"Dimitri's not leaving, what are you talking about?"

"Dante said he's going to a different group. He didn't name any specifics though."

"Huh? No, that's not right. Dante wouldn't just get rid of Dimitri," her voice sounded panicked.

Anastasia stood up and grabbed her phone out of her pocket, "I'm gonna make a few calls, stay here."

She walked off towards the bathroom, leaving me there alone.

I could escape. Do it. Go right now.

I can't.

Dimitri.

I shook my head, ridding myself of those thoughts, I couldn't. I had to stay here, they'd kill me otherwise.

The waitress came back with our drinks, setting Anastasia's in her place and mine in front of me.

She looked at me, asking if I was ready to order and I shook my head and pointed to Anastasia's seat, implying I was waiting for her.

The waiter left and I stirred my drink a bit with the small straw in the glass.

My eyes wandered the room, looking at all of the paintings and art.

Suddenly my heart stopped. I felt it get harder to breathe. My body reacted before I had time to process it. Eli sat right there across the room. He was with his friends.

A lump formed in my throat and I tried to swallow it down, but I just couldn't. He was there. I could go talk to him.

In a moment of bravery, I stood up, walking towards the table he was at. He hadn't noticed me, I stood from afar, wondering if this was the right choice.

He seemed happy, maybe he actually believed what I told him over the phone.

I finally got enough courage to walk up to him. Each step I took made it harder to breathe. I was nervous, and not sure why.

He turned his head and immediately did a double take. His eyes filled with amazement and happiness. Eli stood up and gave me a hug instantly.

I hugged him tightly, more so than ever before. I missed him. I was overwhelmed with happiness and relief. He was okay.

I started crying, I wanted to tell him everything. I just couldn't though, for his safety and mine. It would put him in danger and I couldn't risk it.

The hug eventually ended and we walked back a bit, away from his friends, "Iris what happened? I've been worried sick about you. And why did you leave all of your stuff back at the apartment? Are you okay? Be honest."

"I'm fine Eli, I can't really talk about it much. I just want you to know I miss you so so much."

"I thought you were in Georgia though. What happened to that?" he seemed almost upset.

"I'm still moving, I was just out with an old friend."

"You couldn't even come say hi to me? Iris what's wrong. You're lying. I know it. I know you," he leaned in and lowered his voice, "point out who you're here with, or give me a name. I'm just making sure you're okay."

"She's in the bathroom right now Eli, I'm okay,"

"Iris no you're fucking not. You know I don't get upset at things like this but you're blatantly lying to my face. Ever since you went to find Anonymous you say you've been gone to 'Georgia' and that's bullshit. What did you find? Are you in trouble?"

"Eli I don't have much time to say anything, but if you want to help me, I need you to find Dante. I don't know his last name but he's in Anonymous. Please just be careful. Once you find his coordinates, you'll find me. I'm safe for now, but I can't escape, they'll kill me," the tears started again and my voice cracked, "goodbye Eli, I love you."

"I love you too Iris I'm-" I had to walk off before he could finish his sentence.

I looked back one last time and he walked back to his friends, they looked confused.

I made it back to my table and wiped the tears away the best I could, trying to hide the fact that I was crying from Anastasia, who was nowhere to be seen.

Putting my head in my hands, I took a deep breath in. This was becoming all too real. If Eli found Dante it could be dangerous. I should've never told him that.

Suddenly, I heard Anastasia's voice break the silence, "you okay?"

She sat down and took a sip out of her drink.

"I'm fine, just tired. A lot has been on my mind lately."

"I'm sorry hun, you wanna talk about it?"

"Not really, any news on the situation with Dimitri?"

"Yep. Dante is a fucking dumbass who won't accept the consequences from his actions. I've convinced him to give Dimitri another week, which might be enough to prove himself. He's got to get his act together though. You guys can't be super close anymore. I mean you probably can't talk still, but if Dante chooses to let him stay, you guys could talk again when you train."

I let out a sigh, "that's definitely an improvement, not ideal, but an improvement."

The waitress came back to finally get our orders. We ordered our food and she took off back to the kitchen again.

Me and Anastasia sat in silence for a while. Toying with the straws in our glasses, the chattering of conversations in the background, sometimes broken up by the clatter of plates and other dishes.

"Who was that guy you hugged," she said, breaking the silence.