Chapter one: (0,0)

Chapter one: (0,0)

None of this would save me from my destiny. I had to do something for my mother. But the book was right. Everything is a hoax. I hope so. I've already crossed the line since that day in the auditorium.

I still have a hard time believing everything I did to get to that chair. To have one of those who knows in person the most elusive fugitive in all of America. What do I tell you, Dr. Woods. My father was a complicated person.

If there was anyone who knew where he was, it had to be Professor Foster. A guy who I know from Daddy's book worked as a mole for them in the traveling island disaster. He, like all of us, had a facade granted by the American intelligence department. One that took me two years to find.

I sat in the middle of the class to escape his black eyes like a face diluted in others. In an office chair he waited impatiently to start class. The gray-haired old man took off his huge glasses and cleared his throat to demand respect in the form of silence.

Every word from Professor William Foster made me more nervous. At any moment he would see my face and it would be my end. Made pointed scribbling in his notebook to blend in with the environment. One more pseudonym, another lies in a long list of hoaxes. At least this one should get closer to my father. Of that he was more than convinced.

I dropped the pen. I put it together and exchanged glances with the professor. In my head the world had ended. I felt like I was drowning in a bottomless pit. He continued exposing on the plans.

Three slow strokes and two in a row stopped William's explanation. I understood it at once. That code was in the book. The hour had come. The professor ordered us out. I was left behind. With each step he staggered more. I stood behind the corner that turned into the hallway, hoping to listen.

—She is close to us —. I listened between murmurs.

That answer did not meet my expectations, this was an invaluable opportunity.

—Are we talking about the same person Albert? —The professor said through clenched teeth.

Leaning my face a little, I could see how the messenger delivered the package.

For an instant I thought that the professor fixed his gaze on me. Damn it, I thought. All the time he had invested in finding the place where he worked and the class he taught was about to be lost. At that moment I thought about the convenience of all this. «Maybe I didn't go unnoticed?» I was terrified. Maybe he already knew what he was doing?

William quickly took the postman by the arm:

—Why don't we go into the auditorium to talk about this and talk more in detail.

The tall boy in a gray cap approached and stalked the teacher:

—You don't need more details —. Stick to your end of the bargain and the museum is all over.

I felt something touch my back. A chill traveled all my body. My hands were shaking. A thick voice whispered in my ear:

—They didn't teach Mr. Loría that spying on others is rude.

In a sigh, endless scenarios passed through my mind in which I would die upon hearing my real last name. Each one more terrifying and graphic than the last.

—What do you want to do as two?

* * *

Kneeling in the citrus-scented bathroom and displaying false bravery, I pretended to be ruthless with my back to the muzzle of his gun.

—A man who is betrayed by his own is capable of everything, including telling the truth even when it rips out his entrails.

—You're wasting your time if you think I'll tell you something.

—With a great intellect and all and the only thing you can think of is playing the asshole. Where is the rest of your team?

That guy deigned to show his face. I immediately recognized it. The descriptions of my father in his book were spot on. His black, smooth, scarred skin was unmistakable. Squatting he looked me straight in the eye.

—We're going to have fun —. He responded smiling at my silence.

He grabbed my shirt collar and pulled hard, the head butt knocking me unconscious.