The Butterfly Effect

They'd gotten someone to tell them where Feodor lived—or, rather, got enough general information that they were able to make an educated guess. And it turned out that they guessed right, because when they knocked, he answered.

And Alexei wished he could shrink behind Rosie when Feodor looked at them both, then gestured them in.

It was quite clear he knew what he was doing when he said, "Let's take this inside. As long as you stay quiet, we don't have to alert anyone else—including Yul."

"I don't think we're going to be here long," Rosie remarked. "There's only a few ways this can go…"

Feodor guided them to the dining table, then glanced at Alexei. The hunter didn't make eye contact, or else that other part of him would come and ruin what little semblance of control he could claim to have. Not that it mattered much when Feodor prompted, "Your name's Alexei, isn't it? You don't have to worry about Yul wandering away from me again. He got a stern talking to after that."

Alexei forced a nod. The hunter willed himself to stay silent, still, emotionless.

"I don't believe I've seen you before," Feodor said, looking at Rosie. "But I've heard enough stories to have a guess…"

She shrugged. How could she be so casual? Wasn't she also struggling to breathe? Didn't she feel like she was suffocating? "Roselyn Trevain. Under normal circumstances, I would tell you some lie about it being nice to meet you or that I'm happy to chat. I think we can all skip the false pleasantries, though."

"You said there's more than one way this ends. Does that mean there's one where you walk out this door without saying a word to anyone else?"

"Well, there's certainly a few where you can attempt to live a little longer. Some people choose to run. Others opt to bargain. But they don't last long. All they do is delay the inevitable."

"Have you ever had someone who tried to explain?"

At the thought, Alexei felt another rush of panic. Explanations were never a good thing. They confirmed too much in either direction; they acknowledged everything that had happened, or every reason why they were innocent. And it never ended well, no matter how it went. He hated the idea of what Feodor thought he was doing… and the way that Rosie nodded.

"Not very many have," she remarked. "Let's hear it."

Feodor took a deep breath. It looked like he'd just clasped his hands together but, the more Alexei looked, the clearer it became that he was fidgeting with a ring. "I'm not one of them, not in the same way they should be classified. Yes, I was a part of what they did. Yes, I heard and saw things that normal people would've turned in. At first, what stopped me from slipping into one side or the other was just the fact that I didn't know hwo to believe. Both sides seemed wrong. But I'm sure that's something you heard pretty often, isn't it?"

"Not the first, at least. We're not here for anyone else's stories, though. Just yours."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Of course. At first, I simply stumbled on it. They weren't doing anything wrong then, but… it didn't always stay like that. Some others understood the kind of situation I was in and was willing to take advantage of that. I did nothing, even when I kept finding myself in those situations—became too involved to really leave. You're hunters, not monsters, so I assume you know what family means to a person. For mine, I was willing to do anything. Not that the decision's doing me too much help right now."

Alexei couldn't help himself; glancing up at Feodor for only a moment, he asked, "Why put yourself in that position?"

"I had a young boy to take care of. Either way, I wasn't going to last long. At least it gave me the opportunity to spend a little longer with him. Give me a few minutes to talk with him, then I'll go with you to do whatever you want."

Alexei couldn't take it—he stood up. But stopping him from walking away, from trying to act like none of this was happening, was Rosie's firm but gentle hand on his shoulder.

She was looking at Feodor when she said, "I don't think that'll be necessary."

"Oh, really?" He didn't sound too convinced. But shouldn't he want this? A way out? Not that those questions had to wait long to be answered. "I know what people like you do. And I'd reckon that you were like me once. Desperate. Ready to accept whatever compromise you need to. Unable to think of consequences. But I'm not letting you make me one of you. I know the price you pay for doing this and I want no part of it."

"Don't worry, I don't intend on dragging anyone else into this. There's enough of us here already. I've got a different kind of suggestion for you."

He raised a brow. "Another offer that's going to be too good to be true, then? Or something almost impossible to repay?"

"All I want you to do is get up, take the kid out of here, and start over. And I don't just mean find another group that might not throw you to the wolves—get out of all of it. Start a new life. One that's… finally going to be worth living."

"Something tells me this isn't a usual kind of change of heart."

She shook her head. "What can I say, I've been doing this too long. I've seen too many hurt. Too many torn apart. I should've stood up a long time ago, but they say better late than never."

For a few moments, Alexei was relieved. But then he remembered exactly what line they were crossing and the consequences for it. He moved beside Rosie and whispered, "What about Priesty? If he learns, he might… I-I mean, I know what you've been saying, but what if they're not as empty of promises as you say they are..?"

"Remember everything I've told you. He only has the power that we give him. And pretty soon, he's not going to have that." She stood up, motioning him back towards the table. "Alexei, if they'll let you, go with Feodor and… Yul, was the kid's name?"

"Wait, what about you?"

"Doing us all a favor."

"You mean..?"

"I've spent years sending others to their death for all kinds of things—almost none of it something they deserved. After that, I don't think I'll get some kind of redemption at the end of this. One direct kill isn't going to change that."

"Don't you want someone with you?"

She shook her head. "I'd rather you be out of there. Then I won't have to worry about you, and I can tell him exactly what's on my mind."

"But—"

"I'll be alright. You're looking at an old mercenary. Two towns north of here should be good for now, I'll see you there."

He still wanted to follow after her—if nothing but the idea that she shouldn't have to be alone—but Feodor stood up as well.

"Yul won't be so nervous with a 'new friend' with him," he remarked. "I'm… going to trust that you're not trying some elaborate trick, so… thank you. And know that this isn't an opportunity I'm going to take lightly."