“A few days?” she mutters.
“Yes, only a few days. Then, if I haven’t called him, you can tell him I called. But I will call him.”
“Alright,” she agrees reluctantly. “But can I reach you on this number now?”
“Only by message, please. It’s safer that way. And only if it’s an emergency.”
“I’m glad you called, though, honey. I’m so relieved.”
“Angel, I called to ask you something,” I say.
“What is it?” she replies.
“You were always very cryptic about how you and Diomid sort of met and everything. And you tried to keep the story of Bardil’s event hidden from me. I know you were doing it to keep me safe, but I need to know what happened,” I tell her.
“The event, why?” she snaps, already agitated over the topic.
“Please, I can’t explain why, I just need to know the truth.”
After some convincing, she finally tells me everything. I listen in stunned silence to her version of the story. About how Bardil first kidnapped her. About the auction that Diomid rescued her from, to save her from being sold off to real monstrous men. She tells me about how she couldn’t let it go, knowing there were still women going through what she almost went through. She and Diomid eventually put a stop to the whole thing that night, when they set the smoke bombs, then the real bombs. They rescued a group of women, and Diomid’s family helped get them home.
I listen and take notes, and compare them to what Bardil told Marlen.
“Is there any proof?” I ask, hopeful. “Any way to show without question that you saved those women?”
“No, I don’t think so. I can ask Diomid, but that would mean telling him about this call. But as far as I know, they kept everything off the books for the safety of the women. They didn’t want anyone to be able to find them again,” she explains.
“I understand. Listen, I have to go, but thank you so much. You don’t know how much it means to me to hear your voice and that you helped me,” I say, sad to be ending the call.
“You only have a few days, Stef. I can’t keep watching our brothers worrying about where you are,” she warns me.
“I only need a few days. It will be over soon,” I assure her.
After the call ends, my heart aches for my family. Talking to my sister has made me more determined to solve this so that I can see them again, but at the same time, not lose Marlen.
One thing is very clear to me at this point. Bardil is a liar. Angelika’s story makes so much more sense. And she told it clearly, piece by piece, everything adding up without holes orquestions. Bardil lied to Marlen, and I have to get my brothers to understand that, so they stop blaming Marlen.
I was going to wait a few days and try to speak to Marlen again about Angelika’s side of the story, but I’m impatient and worried, and I need this to end now.
In a moment of rushed decisions, I decide to phone Jaroslav right away. If I can get him to hear me out, I might not need proof. He might just believe me. Then maybe he’ll agree to meet with Marlen on friendly terms.
My hands are shaking worse than when I dialed Angelika as I punch my brother’s number into the phone.
His phone keeps ringing, and each ring has me doubting my choice. Thinking that maybe I’m rushing forward too quickly. But this is bigger than just Marlen and me. This involves everyone, and the sooner I talk to my brother, the better.
“Jaroslav?”
He immediately knows it’s me.
“Stefania?” he shouts. “Stef, are you ok? Are you hurt? Where are you?” he blurts out, his voice thick with panic.
“I’m ok, Jaro. I promise. I’m fine.”
“Where the fuck are you?” he yells.
“I… I can’t tell you that, please understand. I need to talk to you,” I say carefully.
“What the fuck? You tell me where you are right now!”
