Player in the Game

Player in the Game

The following videos inspired this story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCYwr7kJv1I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFXDg1okZqw

And the movie Corporate

---

"Evie are you sure about this errand. I'm sure you have heard about what happened to the last girl who went on a special errand for the boss," Kathy said with concern.

Evie Johnson was not about being scared. She didn't want to ask her aunt for more cash. The boss had offered to pay her extra cash to deliver a package to someone in Chinatown.

She turned to her friend.

"Kathy I need the money. I cannot keep going back to my aunt. She is getting older and she works hard enough already. She took me in when my world fell apart. I shouldn't be asking for more," Evie insisted.

Kathy shook her head.

"Just keep an eye out, alright? I don't want to lose another friend," Kathy retorted before going back to work.

Evie didn't know what this night held for but she hoped to make it through it. Soon she would realize how much one night could change her life forever.

---

"Okay Boss, I'm ready to go," Evie called out as she approached the main desk.

Lawrence Colbert came out with the package.

"Okay Evie, this is the package. You are to take it to the Green Tea Palace on Motts Road. Don't stop for anything, keep going. This package needs to go to the client by midnight tonight," Lawrence stated.

Evie nodded her understanding before walking out the door.

"She better not screw this up," Lawrence thought to himself.

If she did he would have to silence her for this errand was a part of a bigger plan.

Evie had never been to the Green Tea Palace before. She wasn't sure why she was picked or why this package was important but she needed some cash, so she went.

There was gunk of streamers and the pipes left over from Chinese's New Year on the streets. She would need a new pair of shoes by the end of tonight. The soggy matter seemed to have soaked through the leather material onto her socks. She felt suddenly cold.

"It's only three blocks away. I can make it," she assured herself.

Nearby a man wearing a trench coat was watching her. He was an experienced profiler. This girl had no idea what she gotten herself into. She might as well be carrying her own death sentence.

She was three blocks away from her destination when she was grabbed by someone. She tried to struggle but was subdued by the strong scent of chloroform

---

Evie awakened tied to a chair. It took a few minutes for her to comprehend her surroundings. She spotted two men staring at her.

"Why did you take me?" she stammered.

The one in the trench coat shook his head. The other one spoke up.

"Did you know that you were carrying your death in your hands?" he inquired.

Evie frowned. She was just trying to get some extra cash, why did she have to be captured? She had no idea what time it was or how much time had passed. She needed to get away.

"Listen gentlemen I really need to get that package to someone. My boss is going to ring my neck if I don't…,"

"He does know that you may not return to his employment tomorrow at day break. He knows the intended receiver of this package may be ordered to kill you," Mr. Trench coat stated.

Evie's eyes open wider at this statement. She was fully alert now. Her boss had sent her on a suicide mission. Why had he done such a thing?

Seeing the bewildered look at her face, the trench coat man spoke up.

"We may be able to help you," he stated...

---

Evie leaned forward as much as her binds allowed.

"I'm listening. If there is a chance I can survive tonight," Evie stated firmly.

"Ms. Johnson, we are from the CIA. If you cooperate with us, we may be able to increase your chances," the other man stated.

She gave them skeptical looks before speaking.

"Gentlemen, I have heard of the Valerie Plume case. You will need to convince me,' Evie stated.

"Listen Ms. Johnson, we are your only chance," they said together.

---

They gave her instructions that were precise and simple.

"If they inquire about why it took you awhile say that you got lost. Hand the client this new package and quickly walk out. We'll meet you across the street and take you away," Mr. Trench coat stated.

Evie nodded her understanding.

"Well what do I call you guys?" she asked.

"Its better you don't know. After all you wouldn't want to know something that could get you killed," the other man stated.

She turned solemn and sighed before grabbing the new package and heading towards Green Tea Palace.

She arrived at 11:45 pm. The client looked peeved that she was here fifteen minutes before the deadline.

"Mr. Colbert sent this," she stated briskly.

He nodded and took the package from her hands.

"What took you so long?" he asked as he tucked the package into his bag.

She smiled slightly.

"It's my first time in this part of town. I apologize if...," she trailed off.

She could feel the ear piece pierce the back of her ear. She hoped he hadn't spotted it under her hair.

"Doesn't matter. You can go now. Colbert will get his funds," he replied.

Evie turned to leave.

She heard a cell phone ring behind her.

"Wait! You cannot leave!" he yelled.

She began to run towards the exit. A bullet whizzed past her ear, but she kept on running towards the staircase.

Another man stood in her way. He grabbed her and pulled her by the arm.

"You are with the cops aren't you?"he growled.

"I'm not a cop," she stammered.

Evie realized one of the agents must have betrayed her. She was just a player in his game. She slipped free only to tumble down the stairs. All she could think was, it's not supposed to be this way.

---

I awakened in a room that was white. There was an IV on my arm and my mouth felt dry. My head was hurting a lot. I tried to remember what had brought me here. All I remember was someone grabbing me and then I fell. I didn't remember landing or getting here.

"Evie how are you feeling?" a doctor inquired.

I turned quickly to face him.

"I'm Dr. Reynolds. Do you remember what happened?" he inquired.

I nodded.

"I fell down some stairs, but how I got here, no clue," I stated.

He nodded solemnly.

"Well you were caught in a bit of a mess. You should be able to go home in a few days. We need to keep you for observation," he stated.

"How long was I out?"

He turned to look at me cautiously before answering.

"You were out for a while," he replied.

I suddenly blacked out after that.

The next time I woke up, my aunt was beside me.

"How long was I out?" I immediately asked.

The solemn expression on her face told me it really been awhile.

"Sweetie you were out for a whole year. I tried to come as much as possible to see you. I couldn't let you wake up and looking too pale. I made sure they kept up with grooming you," Aunt Nancy stated.

She helped me sit up as it registered to me

I had lost one whole year.

I had to know what happened.

"Did they catch who did this?" I inquired.

She gave me a sorrowful look.

"Evie you are going to start fresh. You are twenty years old and have a future ahead of you. Forget the past, for if you go back you won't find anything the same," Aunt Nancy stated.

I sat there dumbfounded. I wanted answers for why I was played. In order to find those answers I needed to know what happened to the girl who disappeared before me.

---

The doctor's name was Reynolds, maybe he was related to Cassie Reynolds. Then again Evie had no idea where she was. She took a walk a day before she was to be discharged. One thing she realized was the sky seemed clearer here. She definitely was not in New York. She hoped it was Jersey. She had lived her early years there. She spotted a man sitting in the waiting room wearing a Nets jersey. Hopefully he was not the only Nets fan around here.

Then she stopped in front of Dr. Reynolds's office. His certifications were all from the New Jersey Healthcare System.

---

"Good maybe I can get some answers," Evie thought to herself.

Suddenly she was startled by a voice behind her.

"What can I do for you Ms. Johnson?" the person inquired.

She turned to face the person who had interrupted her quest.

It was Dr. Reynolds.

"I had a few questions," Evie replied.

"Sure come into my office," he stated firmly.

She came right to the point.

"Are you related to Cassie Reynolds?" Evie inquired.

The doctor gave her a furrowed eyebrow look.

"Well she was my cousin. She was like the sister I never had. Over this past year I cared for you almost as much I did for her. Nobody was able to save Cassie. However you have been given another chance at life," Dr. Reynolds stated.

"What do you mean?" she inquired.

The doctor hesitated before continuing," Well your name is no longer Eva Johnson. You are going to be given a new identity and a new occupation. The rest of the details will be revealed to you tomorrow morning when you are discharged," he stated.

"So I can't go back and find answers? There is no going back?" Evie exclaimed.

He nodded solemnly.

She slowly got up. She turned to face him once more before leaving the room.

:" I have one more question. What will my new name be?" she inquired.

"You will be using your aunt's surname as for your first they may let you choose that for yourself," Dr. Reynolds replied.

He felt as if he had told her too much but he felt obligated for some reason. Maybe it was because she reminded him of Cassie. Both were young and determined, yet one had her second chance to live after a terrible betrayal, and the other was gone for good.

The next morning, I was given my new identity. I was now Sarah Parsons. I would live with Aunt Nancy as her only child. It was not much difference in living arrangements. Aunt Nancy had watched over me these past ten years. We were in another state and we both would have different jobs and have to make new friends. The past would be locked away. Jake Reynolds had told me I could not go back. He also told me I was lucky because Cassie did not get the chance I have now. Sure I am upset about losing a year of my life. However now is the time to focus on what I have left and what I must do for the near future? I don't know if my past will ever catch up with me but for now I needed to move forward and lock the door behind me. Only the test of time would tell if I was truly safe from the scoundrels who played me.

---

Three years later…

Evie now known as Sarah Parsons work as a pharmacy tech in Teaneck, New Jersey. Her life was simple now. In her spare time she helped out at the Medical Records in Hackensack Medical Center and also took in foster kids affected by disasters. The kids would stay with Sarah and Nancy until their relatives were back on their feet and could again fend for them.

Sarah was almost comfortable in her new life. Yet sometimes she felt a fear about her past intruding on her present. She was more alert then ever before. She would not allow herself to be another player in the game. For now she had a life the complete opposite of what she lived before as Eva Johnson. She had no intentions of returning to her old life.

One blustery Friday evening, Nancy got stuck and work and called Sarah up.

"Sarah, Billy and Anna Miller need to be picked up at school. I have a crisis over here. I'm sorry to bother you but..," Nancy trailed off.

"Don't worry Mom. I'll pick them up," she assured her.

Sarah finished her conversation before clocking out.

Billy and Anna had been sent to them after their house had caught on fire. Habitat for Humanity was helping them rebuild. The parents wanted them to have a normal life as possible until the house was finished, so the kids were now under the care of the mother-daughter team of Nancy and Sarah.

Dillon Lewis was going to be finishing up the day after Sarah left.

They talked briefly but she never told him about her past. They were still, even after two years of working together, acquaintances.

"Thanks for showing up early Dillon. My mother had a crisis, so I need to pick up the kids today," Sarah said.

Dillon smiled slightly.

"No worries, I got it covered," he assured her.

She turned to face him.

"Thanks. I owe you one," she stated.

Before he could look back at her, she was gone.

I greeted Billy and Anna quickly before ushering them into the car. They had been with us a week now, but I wanted to make sure they were comfortable as possible.

We drove along the road leading to the Hackensack Bridge. Nancy and I had an owned a small yet comfortable house in Hackensack.

Suddenly a strange eerie feeling overwhelmed me. I felt as someone was following us.

Billy was pretty insightful for a seven year old spoke up.

"Sarah I think that truck is following us," he said calmly.

I looked through the rearview mirror. The driver did not seem like the average road raged individual. He was tailgating me for no reason unless he wanted to run me off the road.

"Kids kneel over. A really bad man is behind us. Stay calm and just duck down, okay?" I stated as firmly as I could.

They both quickly nodded. A moment later I tried to control my car as it was pushed swiftly off the road.

In what seemed like a lifetime later, I lifted my head and gazed around. Then recalling I had two kids with me, I turned to look back at them.

"Are you two all right?" I exclaimed.

Billy nodded and Anna stared numbly back at me. I looked them over. They were shaken up but fine. I took them one by one out of the wrecked car. I took their hands and rushed over to the other side of the street, as cars flew past us.

I didn't feel the blood from my temple until we reached the church.

"You are bleeding Sarah," the priest said as he approached us.

"Father, I'm in a difficult situation now. Could you keep an eye on these children for some time? I can risk taking them with me. A friend will come for them soon," I stated earnestly.

"Be careful my child," he whispered.

I nodded my thanks and turned to Billy.

"Billy, my friend Dillon is going to come get you guys. Stay here and don't go anywhere unless the person recognizes this chain," I said as I took off my chain and handed it to him.

"Are we going to see you again," Anna whispered.

"I don't know sweetie. I'll try to come soon," I replied as I hugged them.

My eyes lingered on the kids for a moment before I got up and walked away.

I called Dillon about the kids before I tried to contact my aunt.

Dillon assured me he would get the kids within the hour. Nancy was not picking up her phone. I grew worried. I decided to check back at the house and began walking there.

---

Nancy was not home. Sarah searched the whole house. Her aunt hadn't been home yet by the looks of things. She picked up the phone and dialed. Suddenly just as Nancy picked up the phone, someone grabbed Sarah.

She could instantly hear a scuffle and she quickly motioned to her co-worker to dial the police.

Meanwhile, the attacker covered Sarah's face with chloroform. As she lost consciousness she could not believe it was happening all over again.

I awakened tied to a chair. My hair was matted onto my forehead because I didn't get a chance to clean up after the "accident". I was appalled to see Colbert and two other colleagues walk into the room. One was from the tea room and other I didn't recall seeing before.

I just started my life over again. What did they want with me now?

"What do you want now? You already took one year away from me," I snapped.

"We want you to truly die. We don't want Evie to have a new life and get to be free while we remain in hiding. Tell me the name of your handler and then just maybe we won't hurt Miss Nancy and those little brats!" Colbert scoffed.

I struggled with the ropes.

"You better leave them alone! They have nothing to do with this!" I yelled.

The third man turned to me.

"But they are close to you, that's what matters in our case," he stated.

I could feel the ropes sting my skin but I kept at it after they left. I needed to save them, somehow.

---

Sarah spent two hours alone before the men returned. They were angry but the news they gave her was comforting.

"We can't find them Colbert. The house is empty so is the old property," the second man stated grimly.

He grabbed Sarah by the neck.

"Tell us where they could go, or maybe we'll have to kill you first," he scoffed.

She rolled her eyes.

"Do whatever you wish, I'll die happy you won't be in Heaven nor will you be able to hurt them," Sarah scoffed.

He let go of her. Then suddenly Colbert grabbed her roughly by the hair.

"I told you to deliver one small project and you get the CIA involved? I have waited four years for freedom. If I can't find your family and those kids, I'll just hold you here until your handler comes. I want freedom at any cost. Don't doubt for a second that we won't kill you," Colbert stated.

---

He let her go. She simply winced. She did not weep but grimace at the pain for a moment before breaking into a grin. As long as the kids and her aunt were safe, she didn't care what happened to her. She looked up and quietly said," Thank-you God!"

---

She fell asleep sometime later. Someone entered the room and knelt beside her. The figure touched her hand. Her eyes fluttered open. She was caught by surprise but retained her alertness. She was astonished to see the person before her.

"Dillon, how did you know I was here?" Sarah exclaimed.

"Are you all right Evie?" he inquired.

She glanced at him appalled.

"How could you know my name was Evie? Are you with them too? Oh goodness when will this nightmare end?" Sarah exclaimed.

"Shh! It's okay. I'm one of the good guys. Look the cops will be here any minute. I'm will try to get you out before they get here. Trust me, waiting for SWAT may not be our best option right now," Dillon stated firmly.

She looked at him solemnly.

"Okay then takes me away from here," she whispered.

"First would you like to be called Evie or Sarah?" he inquired.

"As Evie I was weak, as Sarah I hope to be stronger than ever before," she declared.

He nodded.

Dillon took out a knife and started cutting the ropes.

An hour later, Sarah couldn't believe it was over. All of them were in custody at last. An EMT was patching her up. She looked across to see Dillon conferring with a cop. When the EMT was done, she headed over to the patrol car where Dillon was standing.

"So Miss Parsons what would you like to do now? You are finally free," Dillon commented.

Sarah turned solemn.

"Dillon I know what you did was your job, but I would like to thank you anyway. I would like to extend my hand in friendship," she stated firmly.

They shook hands and they started to walk.

"So my friend, what's next for you?" Dillon inquired.

"Well can I still work at the pharmacy? I kinda liked it there," Sarah quipped.

Dillon nodded.

"I won't be there anymore of course but I'll see what I can do. By the way your aunt along with the kids is in a safe house waiting for you. If you want we can head up there now," he stated.

"I would like that," Sarah replied.

She glanced around the surroundings one more time before getting into the car. She had been a simple player in a game, but now she would be free to play the game of life on her own terms.

---

The End

Player in the Game

She was used to a simple

Life, working hard to

Keep on going each day

But how was she to know

Those circumstances would

Push her to just be

Chorus:

A player in a game

In one moment her life

Away from her own hands

She tumbled to the ground,

Unable to stand on her own

She became simply

Chorus:

A player in a game

The game was never ending,

She couldn't get her way.

The opposition advanced on her

She resisted for some time,

Then help came along

Just as suddenly as

She was pushed in,

She climbed out

Free at last

From the game

Of the corrupt