Flashy

Sipping a matcha latte, full sugar. Xiao Mei already made a point that she ran the shots. Feeling bitter… Nadia was her friend. This blonde “Nika” girl was the third wheel!

If Nika said something, Xiao Mei said something louder. Blocked out. Denied. And after an hour Nika got the point.

“Nadia? You work at a hotel dressed up like Jack Sparrow…?” Xiao Mei said, “I need to see a picture of the fit.”

“Hehe yeah… A less flashy job…” Nadia said, showing her a picture.

“Bleh…” Xiao Mei said.

“Wait? Flashy? What was your last job?” Nika said.

“Stri—“ Xiao Mei said, before Nadia masked her mouth with her hands. Stripping and hoeing?!

“Stri—?” Nika asked.

“Umm… Yeah I was a… Str- Street Photographer!” Nadia laughed, nervously.

Nika was unsure. There was something she didn’t know… Street Photographer? She never saw Nadia take a photo before.

“Yeah, like for newspapers… Back home though, not in Paris…” Nadia said.

For newspapers? Back home? Nika felt a pang of anxiety. She had hoped that this was different. But it was the same!

Alina… You were taken because you reported the truth…

“I have to go,” Nika said, gulping. Then waved goodbye, and out the door. Leaving Nadia stunned.

“Wait,” Nadia said. But Nika was already out the door.

After walking for fifteen minutes straight , she hid behind a bus stop and cried.

Alina… Why couldn’t I save you?