Until then though, I would watch

            “What would you like us to do, ma’am,” the agent said on the other end of the line.

            Liza watched the crawl of images and words on the wall of screens before her. The images sped by but she took it all in. She would make her decisions based on the information she saw. Using it and statistical analysis Liza made decisions for a variety of scenarios occurring in real time around the world. It all occurred in rapid fire succession over and over again all day every day.

The statistics were only a small part of her decision making. She used them, but she didn’t always follow them. The ultimate decision was always hers.

It took more than mathematics to predict human behavior because there were too many factors that could change the pattern in a blink of an eye.

            “Take him, and tag him, then call me,” Liza said into the phone before ending the call.

Standing she stretched before walking away from the desk. However, before she did, she hit a button beneath it to signal her second in command that she was not monitoring.

The screens had to be watched at all times. Whether by her or someone else, 24/7 there were eyes on them making decisions about everything from court cases to war room strategies. She had trained a few to watch for her, but none that she trusted implicitly. No one she trusted who would look for what she looked for and report to her the most pertinent information.

            The cameras she watched were beamed to her from satellites high in the sky. They each gave a view that was necessary and needed to be watched. That’s who she was- a Watcher and she was the best.

            Liza’s only worry at this point was that she didn’t have a replacement- yet. Every watcher had to choose someone because there was so much to learn. Her time to choose was coming soon.

As she’d been chosen, Liza had to choose so the grooming could begin. The Master watcher before her was the Mastermind. With his death she took his place, as he’d always known she would. She was the only one who knew what he knew and that knowledge he’d passed to her was invaluable. Liza knew now it was the real reason she’d been kept alive even after she’d run.

            She regretted nothing though.

Liza knew when her replacement came of age and learned all they could learn she’d probably suffer a similar fate all watchers had. With the enormous weight of responsibility inevitably came resentment, and that resentment had to be spent.

This was not a job of love it was one of necessity. Emotions were not a part of it, could not be. They did what they had to because someone had to do it.

They had relationships with every government; every organization that made sure the world woke up in the morning and went to sleep at night.  They kept order of the entire mess. Without them there would be chaos.

They did what they did so the world could keep turning with clean hands and a clear mind.

            They were the boogeymen that controlled the things that went bump in the night, and created the bumps.

Returning to her desk Liza hit the red button once again and the screens brightened just a fraction brighter signaling she was back to the others. There was one in particular she was interested in.

In the far right corner two rows over there was a screen in color. It had been years, three in fact since she’d begun watching the family smiling into the camera. Using the wireless mouse, Liza pulled the screen closer then hit the volume.

            “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Kayla, happy birthday to you.” Liza watched as little Kayla cooed reaching for the birthday cake sitting in front of her.

Her parents Blackfoot and Trina stood over her as her chubby little golden-brown hands squeezed the cake between her fingers then into her mouth.

            Liza smiled as she heard other voices. There was Zuri smiling at her baby sister and Liza heard Leena’s loud voice from somewhere off camera.

A moment later Leena passed by in her new beau’s embrace.  They looked so happy and at peace. Smiling, Liza watched for longer than she intended but she couldn’t help herself.

She’d done that. For the rest of her life if nothing else she knew she’d brought her sister happiness and something she’d never have- a family of her own.

            Liza pulled the screen to the front not ready to turn away just yet. She monitored all of the hot spots around the world, but her eyes kept returning to the scene in the Davenport’s kitchen, and little Kayla.

            She was a beautiful brown eyed little girl. She had her mama’s good looks, and her father’s curiosity.

That one’s going to be fierce, Liza found herself thinking once again of the little girl. Again and again her eyes returned to the screen until it went dark as the family moved from the kitchen to their bedrooms for the night.

Liza hadn’t approved more cameras in the house- not yet. She’d given the new family their privacy, but she would- eventually.

            Little Kayla had just turned two, but she was already making plans for her niece. She was a healthy little girl, but there was something in her eyes she could already see.

Her intelligence and strength made her stand out. Kayla was a fighter just like her auntie. Like every fighter, they had to be taught of their potential. Just as she was taught, Liza would have to teach Kayla.

            Not now, of course. They had time, but Liza knew there would come a day when she would introduce Kayla to what she would become.

Until then though, she would watch.

When the time was right, then Liza would reveal herself, and teach Kayla who she really was. The best Watcher Central had ever seen.

The End.

She knew her sister.

            It was sunny and warm. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was her wedding day, a first for the Davenport girls. Although they looked nothing alike the two young women were sisters if not by blood then by bond.

            They’d learned things about each other in the past few months that neither had known about the other their entire lives.

            “Trina,” Leena called from the front room. Trina ran to the living room still in her robe to see what Leena was yelling about.

            “What in the world,” she said walking into the front room. There was a huge box sitting in the middle of the living room.

            “It just arrived. The tag says it’s for you,” Leena said smiling.

Immediately Trina thought of Liza, but she said nothing. The woman had given her so much as it was, she couldn’t imagine anything else from her especially after all this time.

It had been a year since she’d last seen or spoken to Liza. Since then it was as if the woman had dropped off the face of the earth.

            She’d known better than to go looking for her. Besides Liza had warned her not to try. She said for her safety and the safety of Leena and Zuri she had to leave.

If it hadn’t been for the weeks she’d spent locked in that basement, Trina wouldn’t have believed it, but she knew better than to second guess Liza.

            Truth be told she was scared of the woman. She was her sister, yes, but by blood only. Liza had saved her, but she had also been her captor.

It was a truth that she knew not to forget. Nonetheless, without her she wouldn’t have the life she now had. It was a humongous price to pray, but she was hard pressed to say she would trade her current situation for anything else.

            “I think I’m going to need something to get into it,” Trina said her voice more breathless than she meant it to be.

            “Wait, let me find some scissors,” Leena said smiling. As soon as she left the room, Trina attacked the box. She didn’t know what she’d find, but whatever it was she wanted to see it without witnesses.

Pulling at the tape she opened the seam at the top. Tearing open the lid she saw it was full of the Styrofoam popcorn that meant there was something breakable inside. Scooping out the white foam kernels, Trina quickly uncovered the top of the glass figurine.

            “Couldn’t wait, huh,” Leena said disappointment in her voice. However, a second later her voice was filled with awe.

“Good lord, it’s beautiful.”

The two women carefully pulled the glass figurine from the box. It was wrapped in more Styrofoam but the colors of the hand-blown glass were visible. As they removed the Styrofoam from around it carefully, they unveiled the treasure.

            It stood about three feet tall and it showed the busts of a man holding a beautiful woman holding a child. It was a figure of emotion more than actual detail and the colors of the rainbow blending perfectly to reflect it in a marriage of light and love.

            “Oh, Trina, who sent that to you,” Leena said tears in her voice as she walked around the figurine on the kitchen table. “It positively glows,” she said.

            “It’s alright,” Trina said with a smirk but she too was impressed. Reaching for the card she read it aloud.

            For the beautiful family as you begin your new adventure. May you hold each other close through the years. Protect each other, love each other because that is what truly matters. LW

            “Who is LW,” Leena asked touching the figure with the tips of her fingers.

            “I have no idea,” Trina said smoothly. “Probably some fan. It seems a bit much though. You think we should keep it?”

            “Girl, if you don’t you crazy. This is a work of art,” she said. “This should really be in a museum, an art gallery something.”

            “Yeah, it should,” Trina said, but she knew that was not what was intended. LW, she thought to herself smiling. The figurine was Liza all the way. It was over the top and overbearing, but at the same time classic. It was timeless, and the thought of giving it away or hiding it away she knew she’d never be able to do nor was that Liza’s intention. She knew her sister.

            Walking closer to the centerpiece, Trina looked at it carefully. She followed the lines from top to bottom from all angles.

She knew Leena was watching her, but she wasn’t concerned. She circled it twice admiring the lines, the colors, and the care it took to make their likenesses so real.

It was a bust of Blackfoot her soon to be husband, herself, and Zuri. It was a magnificent piece of art that she knew both Blackfoot and Zuri would get a kick out of when they saw it.

            Once she made her way to the base of the structure that was when she found it.

At the base there deep within the bust was a darker structure from where all the colors combined into black. It was the beginning or the end depending on how you interpreted it, but either way, Trina was sure she could see a small rectangular structure that passed through the entire base.

Anyone else who saw it would have thought it was just part of the work created by the artist, but Trina knew better. She’d seen that same structure months ago in the shed she lived in 24/7.

            Liza had told her the night she’d left the Davenport house for good, the last night she’d seen her that she would always be watching.

She’d said, “don’t you worry, I will always be here in one way or another.” Trina now understood.

Strangely, it didn’t bother her. If anything, she felt heartened that they would always be safe.

            The life Liza lived, Trina knew was dangerous, because for a moment she’d been touched by it. It was that night at the dance. It was the night Liza left and one of her agent’s pulled her to the side to inform her that Liza had gone for good.

That brief moment she’d felt an imprint was made. She always wondered if the people Liza dealt with on a daily basis would one day visit her doorstep, now she knew Liza had thought the same thing.

This was a way for her to keep an eye on them. It was a small price to pay for knowing they would be safe because Liza would always be there keeping watch over all of them.

I wanted to be normal for once.

            “Did I tell you how beautiful you look, Trina?” Blackfoot said his eyes darting back and forth from the road to the passenger seat.

            “Well, let me see. Once when I walked in the room right after you stopped mid-sentence talking with my sister, which was pretty rude, I must say,” she said laughing. “Then you turned and said “wow, Trina you look absolutely beautiful,” as we were walking to the door to go to your car, then I believe you wolf whistled at me for a good minute when I was getting into the car.”

“Wolf whistled,” he laughed.

“Yeah, like the cartoons,” she said before demonstrating. “Then about five minutes ago again, and two minutes after that, and then just now. So yeah, you’ve said it plenty.”

            “Good because I meant it,” Blackfoot said.

            Traffic was heavy, but the weather was clear so they made good time getting to the venue. When they pulled up to the Coliseum there were a few police cars outside but it was to be expected. This was a high-profile event for the city.

“That would be me probably if I wasn’t with you,” Blackfoot smiled looking out the window at the black and white cars.

“Making a few extra bucks, huh? Handsome and thrifty.”

“Yup that’s me,” Blackfoot said, “Pretty and cheap.”

“Not too cheap I hope,”

“Hah,” he laughed as he parked the car next to one of the cruisers. Blackfoot wore a black suit but a few men had gone for the full tuxedos. Regardless they were sure to cause a scene walking in together: the bad girl gone good and the good cop gone bad. 

Tonight, she just wanted to enjoy being a girl going out with a boy who liked her just as much as she liked him. She wanted to dance, and drink and enjoy tonight. She wanted to be normal for once.

            “Are you having a good time,” Blackfoot said as they took their first spin on the dance floor.

            “More than you know,” she said, “more than I thought possible.”

            “Good,” Blackfoot said his smile sparkling beneath the white lights. “I was told if I didn’t show you a good time tonight, then I better not show my face again in the Davenport household.”

            “Tell me who, and I will take them down myself.”

            “My lips are sealed,” he said. Laughing he added, “Hey, I need my shins and I think that’s the highest the little munchkin can reach. At least I hope.”

            “Well you don’t have to worry as long as you show me a good time.”

            “Oh, yeah,” Blackfoot whispered.

            “Yeah.”

            “Yeah,” Blackfoot said softly. They stared into each other’s eyes gliding across the floor to the music. Blackfoot was surprisingly light on his feet and kept good time.

            “What is that for?” he asked, catching her smile.

            “What?”

            “That smirk,” he said.

           “Just happy, I guess,” she said as the song ended and the crowd started clapping their appreciation for the live band. She looked to Blackfoot, but he was just staring at her. “What?”

“There’s something different about you,” Blackfoot said. “I don’t know.” Staring at her lips for a second he caught himself. “I like it,” he added finally. They walked back to their table they were sharing with another couple.

            “I’ll get us some drinks,” Blackfoot asked before heading for the crowded bar.

            A face in the crowd caught her attention. It was a man, dark skinned with shortly cropped hair. She didn’t recognize him, but his bold stare made her alert. 

When he beckoned with a nod of his head towards the exit door, she knew she hadn’t imagined it. This was her sign. She hadn’t expected contact so soon, but she knew better than to ignore it.

Looking towards the bar Blackfoot was standing in line for drinks, but there were several people in front of him.

            “I have to run to the restroom,” she said to the woman sitting across from her. “Can you tell him?” the woman waved her off with a smile before she could finish.

Thanking her, she rose from her seat quickly making her way across the floor towards the stranger.

You are my best creation

            “Bring her to me,” the Mastermind said from the backseat of the black Escalade. “Now,” he said when the driver didn’t move.

A second later he was sitting in the vehicle alone. Looking up from his phone for the first time he glanced out at the quiet street lined with buildings leading away from the venue behind him. 

Once again, he was back in the hellhole named Mississippi. The same place rescued Liza from almost thirty years ago.

            He could hardly believe that after all these years he was back. When he’d found her she was fighting cockroaches for food. Covered in bites from rats and ticks her rebellious nature was fully intact despite the squalor she’d been living in.

She barely spoke and had numerous medical problems as a result of her mother’s inability or lack of desire to take care of her children. He’d rescued both girls, but that hadn’t been his plan.

            His plan was to kill the man her mother had been seeing and he’d done his job.

The girl’s mother was collateral damage which he figured no one would ever see as a loss. The girls by all means should have died with their mother that day, but something had stopped him.

He’d been standing over Liza the barrel of his gun pressed to her temple but he hadn’t pulled the trigger.

            Her eyes never flinched from his never wavered.  In fact, she’d reached up grabbed the barrel and pushed it away. Nothing was said, but he knew instantly there was something special about her- something different. She had spirit, one that even he couldn’t snuff out.

            He’d been on the fast track for years at Central. He knew his trajectory what he was meant for. He’d work a few more years in the field, but he always knew he would move up the ranks and eventually run it all.

It was inevitable, but he had to wait his turn. However, in her eyes that hot summer night he saw something- something that reminded him of his self.

He couldn’t extinguish something with all that potential. So he’d scooped her up wanting to make sure she got the medical attention she needed.

The only time she made a sound was when he attempted to leave without her sister. He went back for Trina and took both girls to the closest hospital. He dropped them at the ER door then left.

            That was supposed to be the end, but he’d waited a distance a way to make sure the two girls didn’t wander away without first getting help. Once they were ushered inside by a couple of nurses he’d left, but he couldn’t leave well enough alone.

For a year he checked back on her making sure she was being taken care of, being fed, and clothed. He followed her trail when she was taken in along with her sister by the Davenports at his request. He followed them closely after that.

            By then she was healthy and was for all intent and purposes a very bright little girl. That spirit he’d recognized in her those years before was still there.

That was when he made his decision. By then he’d moved into the Mastermind position. He had the capabilities to make anything happen so adopting the little girl with the golden eyes with no fear wasn’t very difficult. The only difficult part of it was getting her to forget her former life.

            The past few months showed him he’d failed.

Tonight, he planned to rectify that. She would return to him. She would leave this life behind for good.

She would realize that this was not her world. She was like him, and it was something she’d have to accept. There was no choice. If she didn’t then he had no choice but to destroy everything she was trying to hold onto. She had no choice. She would obey.

            Her skills, her ability were too valuable to lose. He’d put years into training her to be the best of the best. He’d already made his decision. She would be his successor. It might take some time, but it was a fact that she would accept- eventually.

            The vibration of his phone forced his attention from the past. “Sir, we have her,” the voice on the other end of the phone said.

            “We’re coming to you,” the Mastermind said, as the door opened and his driver climbed in.

            “Ten minutes, sir,” the driver said.

            “We’ll meet you in ten minutes,” the Mastermind said before ending the call. “They’re holding her at the venue. Go to the loading dock.”

            “Yes, sir,” the driver said starting the car and putting it in drive. Within seconds they were on the highway in holiday traffic heading towards the town square. Traffic was light.

Inside the warmth of the luxury car the Mastermind took his phone out. Absentmindedly he keyed in his code then looked through his email. He pulled up pictures sent earlier in the night of Liza in her gown. She was with the police officer, her date for the evening.

            Picture after picture showed her smiling. Happier than he’d ever seen her. There were several, but on one picture in particular caught his attention. He’d seen her in all kinds of disguises.

He’d watched her transform herself time and time again. Liza knew how to immerse herself into a part so deep that it was hard to imagine her as anyone else.

She truly was a chameleon. However, no matter what the role, he prided himself on being able to pick her out. It might take some time, it might take some digging, but the pictures never lied. He was always able to see her- his girl.

            Looking at the picture closer he found himself searching for that glimmer he always noticed in her eye. In her latest role of her sister, Trina, she hadn’t had to go too far to assume her sister’s identity yet that something wasn’t there. They were nearly identical, so it was the most like her natural self he’d seen her yet something was off.

            When she started the role of Trina, she assumed the girl’s look, fake hair, garish makeup, too tight clothing. But gradually over several weeks she’d molded the girl more into her image. The pictures showed that. The picture was of a beautiful, young woman confident in her looks and her body. She wore little to no makeup and an appropriate dress classy, yet memorable which was exactly who his Liza was. Yet, he knew without a doubt that this wasn’t her.

            He pressed the phone button on his phone but before he could hit the call button the car swerved to the right and came to a sudden stop.

“Give me the phone,” the driver said turned in the seat gun pointed at the Mastermind’s head. He stared back stunned for a second before blinking several times. When he opened his eyes, he wore his usual calm demeanor once again.

“Very well done,” he said. “I’d say I was impressed if I thought you’d care.”

“The phone,” she said again. The gun never lowered even when he handed the phone over to her.

“You are my best creation,” the Mastermind said leaning back in the leather seat. “You are everything I hoped you would become. I made you.”

“No, you didn’t.” The look of surprise that came over his face warmed Liza’s cold heart, but it was short lived.

“I found you in a crack house your mother was about to sell you and your sister to the next highest bidder. I picked you up and gave you the life you have. You exist because of me,” he said quietly. 

“Don’t move.”

“How dare you!” he bellowed. For the first time in months she remembered what it felt like to smile, but her face remained impassive. “You are who I say you are. You belong to me.”

“I belong to no one,” she said raising her chin.

“You know you don’t stand a chance,” he said. “There’s a car behind us and they’ll be here any second.”

“Well, I guess I better make this quick, huh,” she said her stare as chilly as her heart. The Mastermind smiled, but before he could open his mouth to speak, she fired two shots through his skull.

His body slumped in the seat. A second later she was out of the vehicle. She hadn’t taken a step before being surrounded by agents their guns drawn. The woman looked each agent in the eye nodding at the ones she recognized until each gun was lowered.

“Take care of him,” she said, “dump the vehicle. I don’t want to see it or him again,” she said walking towards the waiting car.

“Yes, ma’am,” an agent said entering the vehicle she’d just exited. Seconds later the scene was clear with her heading in the opposite direction away from downtown and the life that might have been.

Quickly she connected her phone to her newly acquired one, to transfer his files and the address book. Within a couple of minutes, she had the Mastermind’s entire playbook.

Disassembling the phone once she was through, she took the memory chip out and snapped it in two. She tossed the whole mess in her purse to be destroyed later.

“Where to, Ms. Waters,” the driver asked through the intercom.

“Central,” she said.