Chapter 1: Kismet...Rings of Truth

Running…

Hey you!” called the man from behind her.

Sammy who was constantly looking over her shoulder heard him, now she was running full speed down the length of the beach as she can hear his breathing as he was close chasing her. She can hear the rooters of the helicopter circling in the sky. Her very instinct warns her that pilot was searching for her. Her breathing was fast and irregular but it didn’t stop her from running for safety, no matter where she found it now instantly.

“Stop!” called the man again in a breathless voice.

“I need…I need to find an urgent hiding place.” She frantically looked around but she was still currently too expose on the open length of the beach. She heard him again…

The very tone of his voice spurs her on to simply run faster. Rounding the curves of the sand dunes she sees the taxi. Now with much more speed she sprinted towards the car. The taxi driver sees her coming. He must have noticed the man chasing her because he opened the backdoor and climbed inside starting the engine. The moment she slammed the door close he peeled away driving into the city.

Sammy and the strange man both looked behind them. Once it was clear they were not followed he slowed down a bit.

“Are you ok, lady?” he asked very concerned.

“Yes, for now.” Taking deep breathes to calm her heart.

“Do you want me to take you to the police station?” query the man still extremely concerned.

“No sir just dropped me of in the center of the city.” She asked still breathless.

“Ok, I don’t think he is following us.”

Sammy step from the taxi, paid the driver before pulling the rucksack along hanging it onto her shoulders while looking around before walking into the Golden Acre building as she allowed the crowd to pull her along. Reaching the inner sanction she walked to the closest Take away stand and ordered something to eat. While waiting for her order, she reached into the old rucksack pulling out the cell phone. She starts to switch it on then frown as she wondered who she might call for help.

“Sammy!” the voice called her name. A chill went through her frame, stilling her very movements.

A shudder went visible through her body again as she very carefully looked around to see who might be looking directly at her. The public place is a bit crowded now that it was lunchtime. While the minutes ticked away in her mind, she saw no–one. It didn’t matter as she was now startled and on alert for danger.

“How is it possible that he could have found me so quickly? I just barely arrived here?’ she whispers shocked.

“Maybe, it’s another Sammy,” she told herself softly.

While switching on the phone her order was placed in front of her. Looking at the phone’s screen there was no messages or missed calls.

“That’s good. It means no one has of yet discovered my new number.” She said to herself very relieved. “I am hungry.” Picking up the burger she took a delicious bite into the bread. Hungry for a day now, she enjoys her lunch time meal. Once finished she took a couples of deep swallows from her water.

“Sammy! I see you,” called the same voice again.

Just before she swallowed the last drop of water, she choked when she heard the calling. She coughs for a couple of seconds before she managed to calm herself. Reaching for the serviettes she dried her small table while looking around very carefully.

“Where are you?” she whispered softly to herself. “I can sense you, I can’t see you.” Reaching for her rucksack and cell phone, she dropped a couple of coins on the table. Turning away from where she heard the voice called her name, once outside she made a quick footstep reaching the street. Looking back she saw no one following her. Now in earnest, running the length of the street she crossed the road close to the bank and walk into the public gardens. Walking rather briskly she found a bit of a secluded hide-out where she went and sit down on the bench.

Taking deep breathes to calm her heartbeat she carefully listens but can’t hear anything.

“Maybe I have lost him.” Brushing the lose hair from her face, frowning. “How did he find me? I was very careful not to attract any attention to me.”

Reaching into her bag she removed the cell phone again. She dialed the only number on it. The phone ring for a long time before it went to voice mail.

“Where are you, cousin? I need you. I think I am in trouble.” The phone call ended. Putting it into her jeans pocket, she pulled the rucksack back onto her shoulders.

“I can’t stay here. The night would be dangerous.” Talking to her just so she can hear sound as the questions in her mind was overwhelmingly.

“I can’t stay here, “getting up just as the words left her lips. “I need a safe place.”

Entering the B&B she walked towards the desk. She keep looking backwards to see if anyone might be following her.

“Hello, how may I help you?”

Sammy nearly screamed when the friendly girl talked to her. Her mind was truly preoccupied wondering how many might be out there following her.

“Oh! Did I frighten you?” the girl query still very cheerful.

Sammy just looked at her rather confused. It feels like her thoughts have just freeze.

“Are you ok, girlfriend?” come the now rather overly friendly question.

She blinked a couple of times before taking a deep breath.

“I am fine. I am looking for a room for the night, please.” She took deep breathes to calm herself and focus on what she is doing.

“That’s not a problem girlfriend. Will you be paying cash or credit?” she asked while filling in the registrar.

“Cash, I will pay cash.” She said quickly.

“Are you ok? You seem jittery.” The girl eyed her suspiciously. “I hope you are not doing drugs?”

“No, not my style and I certainly am not into nonsense.”  She answered a bit short.

“Just asking since this place is respectable.” The girl took the cash and wrote out a receipt.

Sammy feels the anger building inside of her but also realized she can’t go out tonight. The night is always uncertain to her.

“Here you go.” The girl handed her the keys. “Go down the hall first door on the right.”

“Thank you.” Taking the keys she followed the instructions reaching the door. Inserting the keys into the slot, she quickly looked around making certain she was still alone. Relieved she closed the door behind her. Dropping her rucksack close beside the bed she sits down and just let the unexpected tears stream warmly down her face.

The late afternoon noise can be heard in the hall, clearly some students coming from somewhere. They sound full of laughter and its clear they enjoyed the day outside. Realizing she had been sitting motionless for some time, she shook her very body into alertness.

“Sammy, pull you together.” She whispered brushing the tears away. Getting up she entered the small bathroom. Then going back she opened the rucksack and removed fresh underwear and her toiletries. Quickly stripping the clothes from her body she walks back to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth probable before stepping under the warm water washing her body vigorously. Once she felt better she stepped from the small shower and dried herself in the bedroom. Opening the slightly left ajar door, with only the towel wrapped around her body, she stepped into the room. It was the clicked of the door that made her look up quickly.

“Is someone there?” she called out.

The fear sizzles through her body. Running towards the door she carefully turned the doorknob. It opened smoothly under her hand. Her heart beat painfully in her throat. It took immense effort on her part to look into the hall. There was no one. Slamming the door close she locked it.

“Ok, Sammy. If my assumption is correct, they know where I am.” Walking towards the bed she reached for the rucksack. Her body instantly freezes.

“Someone was in here. Did they find what they were looking for? Let me see.”

Picking up the rucksack she dropped the whole content on the bed. Carefully looking through everything but nothing was missing. With one swoop she swiped everything back into the bag just left a T-shirt behind.

Dressing quickly while her mind was running a mile a minute as she kept looking at the cell phone but there was still no message, it’s clear she must move again.

“Where are you cousin? I am in trouble and don’t know where to go?”

Walking to the door she surveys the room nothing was left behind. Closing the door she left the key in the slot then walked down the shadowy hallway. There was no one at the front desk as she stepped outside amongst the crowd of people. Judging from the level of noise it seem to be a sports evening. She allows them to pull her along.

“Sammy Hoffman!” called the now familiar voice her name.

Standing still while the crowd moved around her, once it thinned out she searched for the person who keeps calling her name then she saw not one but three men.

“Sammy Hoffman!” called the one on the left sight of the road.

“I can see you,” said the one on the right side of the road.

“You can’t get away from me,” said the third one already on his way towards her.

Sammy spinned around quickly and truly runs because it’s clear her life depend on it. She runs into the front door of the Victoria and Alfred Hotel. She literally runs bodily into a man with a solid frame. Stumbling backwards she nearly lost her balance. His quick strong hands caught her in time.

“Steady now,” he said softly.

Sammy looked into his face. “I know you,” she whispered before her faint.