It was eleven o'clock—one hour till midday—when the school officials would make announcements on the speakers for the students to go downstairs and enter the buses that have been made available by the school authorities.

Right now, Ebun was in the animal dentistry lab class just like Sean had planned it. She was wearing a navy blue hoodie and a black face cap. The previous day, Mrs. Mariyah made a casual comment about her woolly hair.

" your ghyeir is too tick. You should kat eet little,"

As usual, Mrs. Mariyah's English was always poor and hard to understand since she was a Russian who barely had any proper education, so Viktoriya explained what her mother meant. "She said that your hair is too thick. You should cut it a little."

"Oh, " Ebun answered in realization.

"I'm sorry her voice sounded too harsh, especially if it scared you and made you think she was mad at you. That's how we Russians sound when we speak English in the way we know. We soften the 'e's' and have a hard time pronouncing the 'h' sound, so we pronounce it as 'g' instead." Viktoriya explained.

So later that night, she trimmed her hair a bit lower and was thankful she did because the face cap fit on her head perfectly. Now, as she was present in the laboratory, she found a discrete corner to settle down. It was the exact spot where she sat the last time—at the far left end of the laboratory and amid many people who didn't give a hoot about her.

The only difference this time was that she knew which direction to look at—no need to waste time looking in corners where she wouldn't find the post-graduate man. So she stared at a group of girls that are sitting towards the right end of the laboratory. There were three bubbly girls wearing headbands, flashy t-shirts, and crop-tops.

The colors of their headbands were that of the Russian flag. The three white girls were talking in hushed tones and giggling as quietly as they could so the lecturer wouldn't notice their side-talks. Their responses seemed choreographed. A few times, Ebun heard words like "great!" and "nice!" too often. As though everything they said had to have such responses even when the words weren't so "great" or "nice."

But there was a girl among the trio that caught Ebun's attention. Not because the girl had black hair, but she'd studied the girl's reaction. She didn't seem comfortable with her friends, but somehow, she didn't have an option but to associate herself with people like that, and so her countenance and even with the mannerisms in which she uttered her words felt like she was afraid to offend her friends. A yes-man.

The girl looked soft, shy, and sheepish. Something hit Ebun's mind. Instinctively, Ebun looked a bit beyond the group of girls—precisely behind them and saw the man wearing a white face cap. Ebun's heart skipped a beat. She was surprised that she'd looked in that direction, expecting to see him but was taken aback by the fact that he was actually there.

Freaking bastard.

Although Ebun couldn't see his face, she was sure he was the one because she'd caught his side view a few times during the past few days. He was sitting calmly by the far-right end side of the laboratory, close to the window.

Disgusting piece of shit.

Ebun tried to look in the direction in which the man was staring, and when she traced it, she realized that he was looking at the sheepish black-haired girl. She was his target for today—the main day. Today was Russia's Independence Day, and it was about to be the worst day of the poor girl's life.

Ebun stared and stared in between the girl in her group of girlfriends and the man watching her calmly from behind, waiting like a ticking time bomb. Several emotions swayed through Ebun's heart as she observed.

Was this the way the gang of rapists had watched her six years ago? Ebun tried to imagine the smirk on the faces of her rapists when they probably saw her picture, excited to ruin the life of a twelve-year-old, plotting how to rape her.

As Ebun tried to visualize it, she shrank. She shrank like a dry and dead leaf. It didn't even matter if she'd been able to tell that they were following her that afternoon. The fact remained that she'd been preyed upon and was oblivious to it—just like this innocent girl.

And so, the emotion that coursed through her heart mainly was a wave of anger coated with nervousness. Today was the first day she would be involved in the murder of someone—a rapist. She would be among the causation factors for the cessation of someone's life.

The fact that she was finally getting to kill a rapist was supposed to be worthy of her anticipation. She'd longed for this. She'd trained for this. She'd persevered for this. The reality of her dreams coming true was supposed to intrigue her and make her eager as hell.

Instead, fragmented images of that day six years ago played through her inner eye like a cracked disc. The nail drilled into the wooden part of the bed. The way the nail had pierced harshly into her forehead. The force at which the demons pushed her to the bed.

The way they damaged her lip with their fingernails and gave her that scar. She could see it, hear it, feel it. So as she winced, she rubbed that part of her forehead and grazed her finger through the thick scar on her lip that ran down to her chin. The images and sounds were too vivid—it made her head throb for a minute.

So she shut her eyes tightly as though the action would send all the memories flying away. When she opened her eyes again, the first thing she saw was the white face cap from afar. Suddenly, it took her back to the memory lane she was trying to escape. That white mask that the leader of the gang wore.

Then his words after he'd ejaculated in her. 'Catch me if you can.'

Catch me if you can.

At that moment, the sentence sent a million shivers coursing to and fro her spine. The words became scary and held a weighty meaning. A meaning that she'd never seen until now. It was funny how those exact words had fueled a significant share of her desire for vengeance. Now, it sounded like a reason to run away.

Would she do an excellent job in aiding the murder of this post-graduate man? Could rapists be caught? If victims could barely stop their rapists from raping them, then what was the assurance of even catching them? What was the guarantee that one would ever find those demons?

Suddenly, it became her greatest fear. Above the need for vengeance, her biggest 'what-if' was being unable to catch the demons that ruined her. For a brief moment, she regretted doing all of this—being so eager to help Viktoriya, coming to Russia, agreeing to the deal with Sean. Everything momentarily became pointless.

What if she turned out to be the biggest fool by even going to all these lengths just because a masked guy had told her to catch him if she could?

Could she? It wasn't even about her abilities and if she had what it took to catch a criminal. It was just a matter of 'could she?'. It's possible that she tries everything that she can but still fails. So what was the damn point?

Ebun couldn't believe how fast time had gone when the gravelly voice of the dentistry lecturer slashed through her overflowing chain of thoughts.

"Eet's Twyeelve o'clock now, guys. Please ghead downstairs right away so you can catch ze bus. You von't vant to mess vis me, "

Although Ebun couldn't catch all the words because the lecturer had spoken English like Mrs. Mariyah, she could still catch the fact that it was already noon.

Noon? For how long had she been staring and deeply in thought?

Quickly, the students rose, stuffing their textbooks into the bags and torquing in the stools. A few minutes later, they started to rush out of the laboratory in a disorderly manner, many of them babbling in high-pitched Russian dialects. It was clear that they couldn't wait to have fun, and they were also happy that they finally got to leave this class since it was supposed to hold today anyway.

The lecturer stepped down from the small podium in the laboratory. As the short woman stood, waving her arms dismissively to usher the students out of the class and command some order, her eyes found Ebun's where Ebun was seated at the left end corner of the class.

The woman raised a brow of allegiance at Ebun, signaling something that didn't need to be expressed but was more straightforward than the most articulate words construed together. As more students left the class, the woman pretended to exit the class after eye contact with Ebun.

Ebun's heart started to pound heavily. It was time for her to act. Right here. Right now.

You're just scared, Ebun. Don't let your fears obstruct you. You are a badass, and you can do this. Sean sees the fierceness in you. That's why he respects you. Brace yourself up and act according to the plan. Stop overthinking.

Her inner voice assured her. Ebun clenched her fists and stood from her stool slowly. She also pretended to be moving out of the class with the crowd of students, trailing her fingers against the tiled table cautiously as she watched the postgraduate man who also stood from his seat, pretending to pack his things, as though he was also preparing to leave.

Ebun watched him closely but made sure her face was still hidden beneath the shade of her face cap. Immediately the man turned his back, Ebun ducked behind one of the stools in the laboratory. Thankfully, it turned out to be a great hiding spot.

Ninety percent of the students had left the laboratory now. Ebun could still spot the group of girls. They seemed to have too much to pack. From the spot where Ebun hid, she could see a basket full of fruits and snacks. The girls came prepared to enjoy Russia's Independence Day. They were so invested in enjoying today's event, and it showed.

"Argh. Zees baskheet eez too heavy. Galina, can you help us with zeez baskheet? We vill vait for you downstairs. Please ghurry up, " Ebun heard one of the girls say.

When Ebun looked, she saw that the sheepish girl with black hair was Galina. Ebun clenched her fist around the rod of the stool. How could these girls leave their friend behind? If only they fucking knew. Ebun wanted to come out of her hiding spot and yell some sense into their skulls.

But that would heavily spoil the plan, and the post-graduate man would go scot-free. So she swallowed thickly and remained where she was.

Galina nodded and agreed to help with the baskets and the other stuff that her friends couldn't pack. The post-graduate man smirked. Ebun didn't see him do that, but she was hundred percent sure he did from the way she saw his shoulders relax. The naive girls had just made his plan ten times easier.

The two girls left, packing a lot of things in their big handbags. A few moments later, everyone had left the class. It was just Galina, the post-graduate man (her predator), and Ebun in the class (the invisible one). Galina looked comfortable and unconscious of her surrounding.

In her mind, all she imagined was that she'd pack the remaining stuff and go to meet her friends downstairs. If only it were that simple. Ebun could hear the ruffling of nylons, like Galina, was stuffing some objects into a polythene bag. Then an unusual sound came next.

Cling.

Ebun heard a metallic object hit the ground harshly. Ebun peeped, lifting her head a little above to stool to see what was going on. A water bottle had hit the floor. Then she saw the look of horror on Galina's face as the rough arm of the postgraduate man grabbed her elbow. She's shocked to see him.

"Shh, " the postgraduate man formed his lips in a round posture and placed his index finger in between. The man looked around the laboratory thoroughly for a few minutes. To be extra sure that no one else was in the lab.

Ebun squatted lower behind the stool, making sure that no damn thing betrayed her presence. Galina struggled to free herself out of the man's strong hold as he dropped his bag on the table and pulled her to the center of the lab.

The man would have preferred to close the lab's door but couldn't risk getting suspected so quickly because that could draw more attention from anyone passing by.

Ebun couldn't stand to watch this happen. Her heart ached severely as tears gathered around her eyes. Still, she couldn't afford to move an inch.

"Why aren't you vearing ze pantie I got you ze last time?" the man slapped her buttocks harshly with his free hand while still holding her elbow firmly. He pulled at the line of her underwear from the trouser she was wearing.

His voice was surprisingly normal. He even sounded like a teenage boy who was still undergoing puberty. She'd expect him to growl or even roar. She'd expect something harsh, raspy, or gruff. Still, this even scared her more because that seemingly gentle voice held too much hidden poison.

"You are a naughty girl, " he chuckled.

This bastard. It was so uncouth to know that he was trapping so many innocent girls, giving them lace panties, and hoping they wouldn't wear it so he could have many girls to rape all one in season. Why did sexual perversions have so many people in a chokehold?

"I von't like lace panties, " Ebun heard Galina say.

Ebun was surprised that Galina could even answer the question. Still, the girl had responded in a way that showed that she was afraid to offend the man—the exact way she related with her clique of girls. Ebun knew that the reason why Galina didn't wear the pantie was simply that she didn't want to wear it—not because she didn't like red lace panties.

"Haha. Eez girls like you ghat I love, Hahaha. Let me see what is under dat trouser!"

Now, Ebun started to wish the lecturer would walk back into the laboratory any time from now. The man was about to rape the poor girl, and the probability that she might have to watch that happen was something Ebun couldn't accept.

Rrrrrip!

Ebun peeped again after hearing that sharp sound. The man had raised Galina to sit on the tiled table and had ripped her shirt open in one movement, revealing her cotton bra that cupped her small breasts. Galina couldn't scream for help. It seemed as though she was unable to find her voice. Still, she tried to cover her bosom with the remaining patches of her shirt.

"You are a brat. I should teach you a quick lesson." The man removed his face cap and slapped her face. He flung her arms away to stop her from covering her body as that made him furious. "Von't cover your body from me!"

Ebun gritted her teeth as quietly as she could. Sweat dripped down her temples as her back ached from the uncomfortable posture she'd placed her body in. More importantly, anger was rising so violently on the inside of her.

If this lecturer doesn't walk in right now, I swear I will kill this man. Sean would just have to understand me.

Right in that moment of hope, Ebun heard some footsteps. Hasty but steady footsteps. Her heart sank in a warped sense of relief. When she looked in the direction of the post-graduate man, he was still busy trying to force Galina. He hadn't heard the footsteps.

Ebun felt a shadow. She looked up from where she squatted and saw the lecturer standing quietly by the door. Alas, the woman is here!
Their eyes met again. The lecturer nodded at Ebun. Ebun nodded back. The woman didn't talk immediately. Instead, she observed with her eyes the crime unfolding. The postgraduate man still hadn't noticed. He was still trying to force Galina. The woman stiffened for a moment, seized by disbelief.

Then...

"You! What are you doing there? Aren't you supposed to be downstairs?" the lecturer pointed at Ebun, faking a stern look.

"I'm sorry, ma. I forgot something. So I thought I could stay back to look for it, " Ebun lied as she stood up slowly from behind the stool and reached for her bag, pretending to play around it as though something was missing.

Galina jumped down from the tiled table, covering her chest in the best way that she could. The postgraduate man moved away and wore his face cap immediately. The man was too shocked and unprepared, so the lecturer saw his face before putting on his face cap. At that moment, he wished the earth would open up and swallow him. He was too shocked by many things—by the fact that someone had been in the lab all along.

"Oh, and you two..." the lecturer said in a suggestive tone as she looked at the man and Galina. The woman could see that Galina was sobbing quietly, but she had to act like she wasn't fazed by it.

The man already looked too shocked from almost getting caught, so the lecturer had to act like she didn't suspect or see anything wrong. She had to look normal as possible. If she were too hyperactive, that would ruin things.

"You two vill have to have sex some other time. Right now, you should join ze other students to celebrate Russia Independence, " the lecturer said in the best casual tone she could imitate even though she was boiling on the inside.

Ebun smiled inwardly from where she stood. The lecturer had done a great job.

"Oh. Alright, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am." The postgraduate bowed his head repeatedly as he fastened the loose buttons of his shirt. Galina packed her things and used the wrapper for the basket to cover her torso. She tried to tuck her hair neatly. She was just happy and relieved that she was free.

"Ah! I forgot to tell you guys zat ze buses are already fooll. I brought my car to ze campus. You guys wouldn't mind me giving you a ride to ze park, right?"

The lecturer looked at me first for an answer—a look of intimacy shining through her gaze.

"I don't mind, ma'am, " Ebun answered. It was hard to suppress the joy in her voice.

The lecturer turned to Galina. She shook her head too, although in doubt but still consenting. The postgraduate man was last.

He was angry. How could his plan get ruined? How could someone dare to interrupt? Ebun could see it all in his demeanor. He was struggling. His mind was judging him—not sure whether to overthink it or not. Had the lecturer caught him? He would never be sure.

" I von't mind, ma'am," he finally answered in a low voice.

Stage one of the plan: Checked!

***
Mrs. Yekaterina, the lecturer, owned a posh Rangerover. As the woman drove out of the school's campus and hit the road, Ebun sat at the passenger's seat with Galina next to her while the postgraduate man sat in front.

It was eerily quiet, but the silence wasn't suspicious. It was a silence of formality because they were all inside a lecturer's car—someone that was way older than them. So there was nothing to discuss. Still, Ebun worried about Galina.

Galina didn't escape when the lecturer walked into the laboratory. Now she was following them to the venue where the man was going to get killed. How on earth was that supposed to work? When Ebun looked at Mrs. Yekaterina through the front view mirror of the car, the woman seemed to share the same concern.

Right at that moment, as Ebun worried, Galina opened her mouth to speak.

"Mrs. Yekaterina, thank you for ze ride, but please could you drop me off at zat junction? My friends kept a space for me at ze park."

Ebun studied Galina's expression when she asked that question. Galina was afraid to stay in the same space with the man who'd just tried to rape her, a lecturer, and a witness to what happened in the lab. She was scared that the lecturer would ask a question.

"Oh. Sure!" Mrs. Yekaterina didn't hesitate.

Ebun heaved a small breath of relief a few moments after Galina alighted from the car and walked on to the other side of the road.

The man was too stiff and still unsure about his fate. He must have been wondering why Galina asked to leave the car all of a sudden. Would that make the lecturer suspicious? Was Galina going to tell on him to her friends? He pondered on everything but was afraid to make his fears obvious lest he'd be exposed.

To Ebun's surprise, the man voiced out those fears by asking a question a few seconds later.

"Eesqooes me, ma'am. Can I join her? I mean—I can go to ze park by myself from here, "

"Oh," the lecturer chuckled in discomfort. "Yoo, are so horny, aren't yooo? Von't vorry. I'll take you to ze park. I just need you and zeez girl to help me pack some chairs before we get to se park. I only let ze other girl go because she said her friends kept a seat for her. Ze park is already full, so we need more chairs." Then the woman added with a fake smile. "You vouldn't mind helping me, right?"

Ebun was beyond amazed at how good of a liar the lecturer was. How could her lie sound this believable? If Ebun were in the postgraduate's shoes, she would have believed the lie.

"Oh. Okay, ma'am. I von't mind," the man answered, left with no choice. Ebun saw his shoulders relax a little. The man had believed the lie as he should. The lie was too smooth.

As Mrs. Yekaterina drove past Dolotov park, she looked at Ebun from the rearview mirror of her car and winked. Ebun grinned back, impressed. It was almost time for the real thing.

Stage two of the plan: Checked!

***

Skazka pioneer camp, Moscow Region, was an abandoned children's camp. The playgrounds and statues of the pioneers were covered in moss and mold. Many artifacts and leafless trees were surrounding the arena. Ebun was pleased with Sean's choice of location. It looked like a park—there was nothing to fear. It seemed like a friendly place, only that it had been abandoned.

"Zeez way, please, " Mrs. Yekaterina motioned with her arm, leading Ebun and the postgraduate man forward.

Ebun's mind was reeling with excitement. Two hours ago, she was second-guessing everything, wondering if all of this was worth it. Now, it felt rewarding to lure someone to their death—someone who deserved it.

After walking on the ground, crumpling the fallen, dry leaves with their footwear, they got to an empty pool. To Ebun's surprise, there was actually a stack of chairs. Again, she couldn't help but be impressed at how Sean had deceived this man. Even to the point where there was no going back.

There was no pointing putting chairs here since he would die anyway, but Sean did it so that the man wouldn't do anything funny at the last minute. Ebun looked at the man. His shoulders relaxed again on seeing the stack of chairs. He must have been relieved to see that the lecturer wasn't lying to him. Ebun smirked.

Sean should appear at any minute.

Ebun was anticipating all of it. She looked around the park and saw a small shed. He must be hiding in there. She thought. Her heart thrummed with an exciting kind of anxiousness.

"But why do we have to come all ze way here to pack chairs?" the man asked all of a sudden after looking in the direction of the stacked chairs.

Mrs. Yekaterina and Ebun exchanged looks for a second. Shit. Ebun picked at her fingernails anxiously. Mrs. Yekaterina resumed looking at the man with a small smile.

"That's because—"

Before she could complete her sentence, the man pushed the lecturer harshly to the ground.  Ebun's eyes widened as she gasped, totally shocked and taken aback. Despite all they'd done to be sure the man wouldn't suspect anything, his criminal instincts couldn't help but doubt every single thing.

And so the man picked up a pace to run out the park.

This was Ebun's biggest fear. It proved the question she'd asked herself at the lab. "Could rapists ever be caught?" Now, as she watched the man run away, with tears streaming down her cheeks, the answer came to her mind. No.

Stage three of the plan: Failed.