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I make my escape before Dario can find me again.
Moving through the dark streets to my car, I feel like I’m being followed. I slip down an alleyway and wait. When the person enters, they are unprepared for my attack. I have them pressed against the wall with their arm twisted up behind their back, ready to break it.
“Why are you following me?” I say softly in their ear. The man is about my height without my heels. So he’s shorter than me now. He’s thin, and when he turns his head, I realize he’s a young teenage boy.
“Don’t hurt me. I’m supposed to give you this.” He hands me a packet with his other hand.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Matty. You helped me. You told me if you ever returned to Italy, I was supposed to give this to you.” His voice quivers in fear. “Please don’t hurt me, Luna. You said I’m supposed to say, Luna Lou, it’s time.”
I step back so fast I almost fall over. The kid turns and reaches for me. He grabs my arm to hold me up.
“Matty?” I say his name as the memory of rescuing him from a Nigerian organization flashes through my mind. I killed a man because he was going to rape a young Matty. He was only twelve at the time. It’s clearly been a few years. “How long has it been?”
“It’s been five years,” he says. “You were only sixteen when you saved me.”
I remember the case. I was sent in to infiltrate the ring as a young girl they were going to traffic. I helped Matty, and he and I escaped together. I slide my hand against the bruised skin Dario kissed as I remember the beating the doctor gave me for not bringing him in. Just like I didn’t take the girl to him the last time, two weeks ago. I’ve been keeping the kids away from him ever since I can remember. I made contacts in cities.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. But when your tracker started beeping, I knew I had to help you.”
I look down at the bracelet on my wrist that I always insist on wearing. It’s got a tracking chip in it. If I’m close to the monitor, it will let him know and he was to bring me this. I don’t know what it is, but I have a feeling it’s going to answer a lot of my questions.
“Thank you, Matty. Are you being safe?”
“Yeah, I’m working as a picker. I travel around during the harvests.”
“You need a better job. I’ll try to help you.”
He chuckles softly. “After you help yourself.”
I nod.
“Sorry I missed you when you were here a couple of months ago. By the time I got to Venice, you were already gone.”
“I don’t remember being here,” I confess.
“I know.” How he knows and I don’t puzzles me, but I know whatever is in this packet will explain. “I’ll be in the area for a bit if you need me. You’ll know how to reach me.” He waves toward the packet and then disappears in the darkness.
I walk back to my car confused. I remember Matty. I remember that assignment. I remember meeting Dario, but I don’t remember anything else about my life. I know what I’ve been told to say by the doctor and the deputy chief, but I know nothing more than that.
ChapterFour
LUNA
I’m sitting on the bed watching the screen, not seeing Penny and Leonard. Nothing about my favorite show is calming me tonight. I’m in shorts and a loose T-shirt. I see the phone number again on the piece of note paper that was included in the packet.
Before me is a written account of my youth. I was sent to a church, where I was bought by the doctor. He took me to a school in Russia, where I was trained to kill. He used drugs and electric shock therapy on me. After I rescued Matty, I remembered everything and made this account. I gave it to him and sent him away from me so he couldn’t be found.
I knew I was from Italy. I know I’m here for a reason.
I turn on the burner phone that was in the packet and text the number like the message says to do.
Me
Luna Lou of Whoville needs a roast beast
Unknown number
