29
Moscow - Russia.
4,666.35 miles From New York
Walking out of the alleyway the three of them didn’t stand out as much as Daisy had thought they would, along the now quite street that they made there way along there was little to no-one around, and those that were were too busy walking to notice. Catching a glimpse of her kidnapper, she wondered if he was cold, he gave no sign, his skin was already pale and there was no redness on his cheeks or nose from the exposure.
Dominika tried to keep the pace of James, but her short legs made it difficult, every so often she would manage to fell behind in pace jumping a step ahead so she was in line with him, Daisy on the other head was head of him, so her footsteps were constant and she had to do everything to could to not slow down.
Passing along streets, some either closed down or just closed shops, walking on the urban streets, away from the centre, an intermixture of old and new Russian buildings, that were in much better condition then the ones that Daisy had seen where she had been with her kidnapper earlier, as these houses looked as if people actually lived there. Turning different corners Daisy was losing what little bearings she had, at one point wondering if they were going in a circle. Dominique seemed content as she walked, but she begun to slow down as the snow on her feet ache. She stopped for a moment, causing James to look down at her, taking Daisy’s shoulder as he stop so to stop her moving.
Asking in Russian Dominika asked. “Where are we going?”
Smiling at her he crouched down to her level. “To someone who is going to get you home.”
Dominika smiled and nodded pleased with the answer, though Daisy didn’t have a clue what they’d just said. Looking at her kidnapper she said quietly to him. “Is she okay?”
Standing back up James responded with a nod and said simply. “She’s fine.” Then begun moving again.
The streets begun to change, the motorway with it slow night time traffic begun to become distant and the streets were less well lit and the houses were more sparse, intend higher leveled flats appeared. James begun to direct them down to a street that was more green than the ones they had been down, with more impressive trees covered in snow leaning over above them, it looked as no-one lived there or that everyone lived very quiets lives, Daisy had to remind herself the hour was late, they had left the apartment late in the evening, so it was quiet late already.
Ahead of her Daisy saw a very simple old church, which, in comparison to what churches she had seen in Moscow briefly, looked very poor, on the roof there were three small typical round onion domes, less colourful, in either black or dark blue, and less ornate then ones she had seen, stood out as they came nearer. Outside the churches it looked as if it had seen better days, though there was no graffiti, the walls were stained with dirt and grim, the constant falling snow outside made the church look as if it had been abandon, but if it wasn’t for one small amount of light illuminating from of the broken battered windows Daisy would of thought the church was indeed abandon.
Daisy found herself stopping outside the church, causing her kidnapper and Dominika to look at her. Swallowing Daisy looked up at the cross on stop the dome, it was only thing from the outside of the church that looked pristine and cared for, which she found strange, how could something so high up and with so much exposure not be as weather worn as the rest of the church. Then all three walks up to the church door, which itself was as battered and as old as the church, the metal handle and braces were rusted and stained.
Stepping in front of Daisy and Dominika, gently letting go of Dominika’s hand, James reached for the handle of the old door and turned to open it, causing an achy painful creaking noise escape out. Reaching over Daisy took Dominika’s hand, wanting to make sure that she comforted if what was behind the door was threatening and to make sure that if anything happened she could protect the small girl from it.
Though Daisy had spent times in churches when she had worked internationally, she could never quiet feel at ease in them, she had been to church with Renata many times as a child, even enjoying it, but as an adult she had never found comfort in religion, or churches, she had seen too much to think and feel there was all powerful being that decided your fate on the basis on the qualities of your actions and inactions. Renata, years ago, had given up trying to get Daisy to find faith, instead just tried to make sure Daisy was decent person, which, Daisy hoped that she had been. In her chest then she felt a shake of sadness thinking about Renata, remembering she was one of the reasons that Renata was dead.
When the door was open Daisy had thought she could see nothing but the wreck and ruin of the church, with nothing inside resembling a church at all, instead she saw a beautiful clean and pristine ancient church. Though there was no massive glass stained windows but instead a impressive beautiful nave with, though faded, amazing painted image of saints and religious figures, with the crucification sat in the middle, right in the centre of the wonderful round open church.
Walking in through the doorway James looked over at Daisy to tell her to follow him, which she did, still holding Dominika’s hand, when inside James closed the door as loudly as he opened it, which inside caused an enormous echo inside the church, which Dominika made a pained face at as it hurt her ears. Inside the air was with scented with lavender and a smell Daisy couldn’t place but smelt familiar to her. Walking through the entrance she could saw the pews were old but not in the worst condition, because the church was small there was only a few line of seats, which Daisy had a feeling that there was never a great number of people there at any one time. Looking down at the floor she could see that the floor was polished and clean, which as they walked in was becoming wet and dirty from there snow covered feet.
Ahead of them Daisy kidnapper walked straight towards the altar, keep his eyes level, not looking up.
Then in front of the altar James stopped and stood there, causing both Daisy and Dominika to stop also, though they did so which a jolt. Watching him from behind Daisy almost expected him to kneel down and pray.
Opening her mouth to speak, though not knowing what to say, she heard very gently footsteps to her right, which she turned her head towards to find a Priest. He walked towards them, a gentle smile on his lined aged face, his hair hidden underneath a brimless cap and his beard long and peppered white down his chin, he wore a cross around him neck and look floor length black coat that with long heavy open sleeves down his sides. As he came closer Daisy noticed that from his left eye was the thick but faint line of a scar that went around to his left ear.
Turning from the altar Daisy’s kidnapper faced the priest as he came towards them from left, a very faint smiled appeared on his lips and he nodded at the priest.
In Russian the priest smiled at James. “I thought I was to see you soon.”
“I’m sorry to come so late.” James replied in Russian.
Turning his attention to Daisy and Dominika he raised his eye and gave a nod at them, greeting them both in Russian, which Dominika responded with a Hello and curtsey, and Daisy simply nodded at a lose to know what to say.
“You know you can come any day or night my son.” The Priest replied back in Russian, looking back at James. “But this isn’t any ordinary visit is it?”
“No…” James said back in Russian. He looked at Daisy and Dominika who stood a metre or so away from them. “I need your help Father.”
Standing where she was Daisy shuffled in her shoes slightly, she didn’t enjoy the feeling of being looked at and been talked about by her kidnapper, last time that had had she been used as bait and nearly raped by a stranger.
The Priest too looked to Daisy and Dominika, the sight of the petite dark haired young woman in an overly large military winter coat, drowning her frame, her face pale and eyes watchful and wide and the angelic blonde little girl in a coat that just as oversized on her as Daisy’s was, holding a doll in one hand and holding the hand of the young woman next to her, together they did look as if they need help and assistant but neither for the same reason. Looking back at James, the priest gave a smile, then he walked over to the two of them, palms turned off as a gesture of peace and goodwill.
“Welcome,” He said in Russian, “I am Father Pavel and this my church.”
Daisy kidnapper walked behind Father Pavel as he came over to Daisy and Dominika. Looking at him Dominika gave a smile and showed her teeth and straightening herself in Daisy’s coat. “I”m Dominika Titov.”
The priest nodded and Dominika reached out and touched her cheek and said in Russian. “Welcome Dominika.”
Turning his attention Daisy he could see the confusion her face, she did’t know what to say to him.
“Child,” Father Pavel said in a calm voice. “What is your-“
“Her name is Isolda.” James said quickly in Russian from behind.
Both Daisy and the Father Pavel looked at each other straight in the eye, Daisy bit her lip, wanting to say something but not sure if she could, if the Priest didn’t understand her there was no point. Placing his palms back together for moment thinking, then he smiled at her put a friendly hand on her shoulder and spoke in English to her in a only slightly accent voice. “You do not look like an Isolda my child.”
Surprised that he could speak English to let out a breath and gave a weak smile and replied. “My name is Daisy, Father.”
“Daisy.” Father Pavel repeated.
Next to them, like a parrot Dominika repeated the same, still mispronouncing her name. All three shared a chuckle together as Dominika little attempt to say her name. But from behind Father Pavel Daisy’s kidnapper cleared his throat. “Father?”
Taking his hand off Daisy’s shoulder he turned around to James, his expression still cheery and composed, but Daisy could tell that with James his temperament changed. “Yes, yes…what can I do?” Father Pavel asked in English, seeming to decide to that he didn’t wish to speak only in Russia and exclude Daisy.
Pushing his lips together, it was easy to see that James was unsure how to answer at first, for the fact he didn’t want to be disrespectful to Father Pavel to reply in Russian but also what to say to the priest, as he knew there would questions that he could of course be asked.
“The child,” James started in English. “She needs to be taken back to her family…she was taken by men…a man…and her family are missing her.”
Standing now between Daisy with Dominika on one side and James on the other, Father Pavel looked at them both questioning. “The men or man, why did they take the child?”
Looking down her James, inhaled, letting a small amount of anger creep into his tone. “They were using her for entertainment, to sing…but I know more was going to happen to her eventually Father…bad things.”
The elderly priest eyes widen as he looked at James gasping as he said. “You went to Matryoshka?”
Saying nothing in response James at first just looked down at Dominika, who not understanding anything was simply looking all around the church as he held on to Daisy hand. In a gentle voice and exhausted voice James said. “I had to…who knows what could have happened to her.”
Shaking his head slightly Father Pavel walked over to altar and looked up, his face was sad and tired as he did. Speaking in English with his back to them. “Rescuing the child was the right thing James…but you started it now…haven’t you?”
Looking in the middle distance James simply responded with. “Yes Father.”
Turning away from them, Father Pavel pushed his palms together in pray and squeezed his eyes closed for a moment, his face pained and tired. Then, as if by a flip of a switch he turned around to face them, his expression completely different, almost cheery and back to how he had looked when they had first walked into the church and nothing was said or known. “There is nothing that can be done tonight, its late and we all need to rest.” Father Pavel said in English moving towards them. “Let us get some-“
“No.” James said firmly.
Stopping in his steps, Father Pavel looked at James, his cheer expression draining away. “There is nothing we can-“
“Please can you take Dominika.” James said looking pleading at the elderly Priest. “This is the safest place for her here.”
Daisy felt Dominika’s hand tighten around her’s, the little girl knew they were talking about her.
Looking sadly at James, Father Pavel asked in English. “Your going to leave this time and not come back aren’t you.”
Returning his gaze, James nodded.
“And Daisy.” Father Pavel asked.
James looked over at Daisy, his expression unreadable. “She’s is coming with me.”
“No.” Daisy said firmly, wanting to step forwards but not wanting to move away from Dominika. “Let me go…I don’t want to be a part of whatever you have planned.”
Breathing out James replied firmly. “NO.”
“Why?” Daisy yelled. “What else are you going to have me do?”
“Enough!” Father Pavel said calmly, hands raised, moving between the two. “James,” he said firmly looked at him. “Take the child down to spare room below, there are clean clothes and bedding, put her to bed.”
The look on James face was like that of a child being told off but there was a hint of defiance. “Daisy is coming with me Father.”
Exhaling the elderly priest waved his hand at him and replied. “Yes, yes but first put the child to sleep…she doesn’t need to hear this.”
In two long strides, Daisy’s kidnapper walked over to her and stood in front of her, he looked Daisy squarely in the eye before he bent down and picked up Dominika gently with one arm. When holding her, his expression had changed, he smiled at her and spoke in Russia to her about how it was bedtime. The little girl nodded but looked at Daisy and said something to James. His expression changed as he told her something that made the little girl’s expression change completely, then in one quick motion, the little girl reached her arms out and wrapped them around Daisy’s neck in an embrace, saying Daisy’s name as she did so. Daisy hugged the little girl back, who was still being held by James.
Pulling out of the hug, Dominika said in Russian to James. “Ded Moroz,” then turned to Daisy; “Snegurochka.” Then James began to walk away carrying Dominika to where she was to sleep for the night in the church. Watching them she frowned, the names she had just said she had heard before, one Dominika had said before but she didn’t understand it.
As if reading her thoughts Father Pavel said. “Ded Moroz, he is like Russian’s version of Father Christmas…though he is a little different to the coca cola version.” Turning to face the elderly priest there was a sad smile on his face. “And Snegurochka is his helper, his grand-daughter or daughter, but also a snow-maiden.”
Trying to think for a moment that her kidnapper was being called Father christmas by Dominika completely threw Daisy, but then she came to realise that essentially he had help rescue her from that horrible bar, at christmas, so there was some logic there, but only some.
Father Pavel walked over to one of the pews, he sat down and made a sound of relief of sitting after being exhausted as he did so. “Please,” he said in English to Daisy, “sit. These seat aren’t just for praying, they are for simply sitting.”
Daisy over and sat down on the pew next to him. For a moment they shared a peacefully quiet moment in the church together.
“So…” Father Pavel said in English. “I am going to guess and say that you were taken by James unwilling.”
“Yes.” Daisy said signing. “That’s one way of putting it. Assault and kidnapping is a better way of putting it.”
Pushing his palms together Father Pavel looked up at the ceiling and signed. “I had hoped he would find peace in his freedom but he wants vengeance and to make Hydra pay.”
“You know about Hydra?” Daisy asked.
“Of course,” Father Pavel said, with a sad smile, “I may be a priest but I know many things.” Looking away from the ceiling to her he chuckled. “Priests can use google.”
Daisy chuckled slightly at him.
His face darkening, Father Pavel said in a serious tone. “I know about Hydra my child.”
“From…” Daisy said trying to think what to say.”him…James.”
Nodding Father Pavel said “Yes…but also from when I worked as a soldier in Hydra many years.”
Leaning back against the pew Daisy looked more closely at Father Pavel, though he was elderly, there was a youthfulness to him, he had a kind and peaceful air about him and she could tell that he was the only one that her kidnapper actually listened to, and answer to, but looking at his hands she could see that there were deep scars along his them, smilier to burn scars, where new skin had grown but different to the old. But the thing that stood out the most to Daisy then, were his eyes, they were pale pale blue to point that they were almost whitish grey and they reminded her of the eyes of the blind she had seen in African, from diseases or chemicals, and a thought came into her head that Father Pavel was blind to nothing, he was a man who saw everything and more.
“Hydra…” Daisy breathed the name. “But how?”
Father Pavel looked at the altar a moment thinking before answering. “Years ago I hated Russia, I hated it and everything that had been to done to it, I escaped Russia and fled to Switzerland, thinking I could leave away from Mother Russia but…instead I was captured and taken back to be killed. 18 years, still a child and I was going to die.” As he spoke he never took his eyes from the altar and his voice was sole. “Instead, I was given taken away to work in the army as punishment…and I lived as a soldier, I didn’t care if I lived or died, so I as I was told.” Turning to face Daisy Father Pavel smiled weakly. “Despite myself I ended up being a good soldier and for some reason I was taken out of the USSR and bought to back to Switzerland to work as basically a guard dog in some laboratory for a Doctor and his team.” Shrugging his shoulders he exhaled. “I never asked or cared to know what they did, or who was I was working for, I had clothes and was fed, not killed, so to me this was life. Then…one day I met the Doctor and saw his work…” The expression on Father Pavel’s face changed, he looked haunted and tortured, he looked at Daisy and turned away, seeming to find it difficult to look her in the eye. “To this day I’ve never seen anything like it…the work was on people…testing, experimenting for chemicals, weapons, anything and everything…for no reason…simply because he could. After that I wanted to take my own life, I didn’t want to be any part of it…I was going to try and let them kill me, but instead the night I was going to run I was asked to stand guard as the Doctor’s work on of his successful experiments.” This time Father Pavel turned to face Daisy and gave a weak smile. “And then I met James…or The Winter Soldier for the first time…what the Doctor called his greatest success and his prize asset.”
Walking down the old stairs to the underneath room that Father Pavel called his spare room, James and Dominika said nothing to each other, the child watched as he moved them down the stones stairs and entered in the tiny spare room that held only a bed and table with lamp on, which was surprisingly warm. James put Dominika down on to the floor, to where she slide out of his arm and walked over to the bed, she gave a tired sign.
“Do you think Mama and Papa will be mad at me?” Dominika asked thoughtfully in Russian.
James gave a weak smile. “Of course not, they will be happy to see you, very happy.”
Looking to her left she saw the clothes on the bed, her eyes more beginning to look heavy and her head begun to lean to the side as if it was gradually becoming to heavy. Putting Tatiana down Dominika begun to take off Daisy coat and hand it to James.
“Will you Daisy be going back to the Forest?” Dominika asked with a yawn.
Taken back James frowned, how did Dominika know about where he had been with Daisy, she couldn’t possibly know anything about it. “The forest?” James asked in Russian.
Nodding Dominika replied in Russian. “Yes, where you live when your not giving out presents and helping people.”
Realising she was talking again about his being Ded Soroz, James smiled and walked over to Dominika, though he knew it was silly he didn’t want to ruin the child’s imagination and replied in Russian. “Yes, we’re go back and start preparing before the next big snow.”
Picking up Tatiana again Dominika smiled at James. “I can’t wait to tell Mama that I’ve met you.”
Walking over nearer to her, James knelt down on the floor near and put on a fake serious voice to her and said in Russian. “You have to not tell anyone about me Dominika, Ded Soroz has to be kept secret, you can keep a secret can’t you?” Dominika nodded. “Good, because I have to be able to work without people knowing I’m there…me and Daisy.”
Giving another nod, with a more serious motion, Dominika said in Russian. “Promise.”
Daisy asked. “Who was the Doctor, Father?”
Exhaling and saying the name as if it pained him Father Pavel replied. “Zola, Arnim Zola.”
That name, Daisy knew, she didn’t know everything about the man, but she knew that he had been a massive apart of her Father work and a massive part of her life even before she was born. “Father,” Daisy said. “what happened?”
“I…” Father Pavel started. “stayed. I knew leaving him there was wrong, I thought if I stayed maybe I could help…but the Doctor moved him again and I was sent away to work elsewhere.” Sighing Father Pavel pushed his palms together near his chest. “They put me in America, shadow operation and I did what they wanted, I turned myself into a shadow and escape into America. I didn’t understand English but I knew that if stayed there they couldn’t find me, I spent years working anywhere and everywhere inside America, with no purpose. Then one day I got work building a church in a tiny city in Texas, and I begun to go to church and I begun to find peace, after years, I found peace, in a building made from my own hands and a building that people came into to worship and I realised there was more to God and people than I had ever known. Eventually I became a Priest, I traveled everywhere and anywhere again but this time to find God in the world and saw many wonderful and many beautiful things. Then after the end of Communism in Russia, I came back, after nearly 40 years I came home and become a priest here.”
Tilting her head to the side Daisy frowned at Father Pavel. “And James?”
Another sweet sad smile came across his face, he looked back to the altar. “I was walking home one day, a day like any other and I saw him, James, The Winter Soldier. At first I thought I was sent to kill me and I realised he had escaped, after all those years he had escaped. I asked him he if needed help, asked him to come back to the church with me…he was lost and was struggling to understand. He knew part of his past but not everything…he told me he came to Russian because he kept dreaming of there the most but he didn’t know why, he traveled there by stealing an aircraft. God does wonderful amazing things all the time and I think he bought James back to me so I could help him but…”
For a moment Father Pavel went very quiet, he kept his eyes on the altar.
“Father…?” Daisy asked.
Realising he had been quiet for longer than he had intended, he turned back to Daisy and continued. “James wants to cut the head off the head and cut out the heart of Hydra permanently, he wants revenge and to make Hydra pay.”
“And he wants me to help.” Daisy signed.
“No…” Father Pavel said. “He wants to keep you out of harms way.”
Frowning Daisy said. “What? He’s done nothing but put in harm’s way and near Hydra, I couldn’t be any closer to Hydra than a flea on a dog!”
“Exactly.” Father Pavel said. Reaching out he took Daisy’s hand gently in his and leant forwards and spoke seriously to her. “James is using you to bring the fire closer so he can extinguish it.”
“He’s one man, he can’t possibly think he can do it.” Daisy exclaimed.
“He does.” Father Pavel answered. “Daisy, as insane as it sounds, stay near him, don’t leave him, you are safer with him than you think.”
Shaking his head Daisy said firmly. “You don’t know what he’s done, what he had me doing…”
“I don’t need to.” Father Pavel said. “James is going to get to the head of Hydra and destroy it.”
Looking into Father Pavel’s eyes, Daisy wanted to protest more, tell him all about what he had been like to her, what he had done and said but as she looked into his eyes she begun to realise something, Father Pavel was being completely honest with her and whatever she asked he would answer. “Who is the head of Hydra.”
“A daughter of former leader of Hydra. “ Father Pavel explains. “She’s not part of the fractionalised aspects of Hydra, she holds on the cards to original work of Hydra, Zola’s and Red Skull, she is the most dangerous.”
Caitlin…Daisy realised franticly.
“My sister? ” Daisy breathed.
“The Hydra.” Father Pavel answered. “She goes by different names.”
“Father…” Daisy said. “Why does he want me…really?”
“Because…” Father Pavel said, squeezed her hand. “You and he were created for the same purpose by Hydra and keeping you away from Hydra is as sure as keeping himself safe.”
From the left came footsteps, both Daisy and Father Pavel turned their heads at the same time, Father Pavel gently letting go of Daisy’s hand, to see James walking towards, carrying Daisy coat under his arm. He walked towards the pew they sat on, his face unreadable, when he stood near the pew on Father Pavel’s right he stood and looked at them.
“Sit down.” Father Pavel said putting his hand down on the sit next to him.
Looking uncomfortable James sat down next to Father Pavel, his bulky muscled body taking up more than was and his leg stuck out from the side of the sit, to where he sat slouched over the small seat next to the elderly Priest.
Looking at them both Father Pavel said. “Well this is far from comfortable and cosy isn’t it?”
Daisy had to admit, Father Pavel was by far the most honest person she met.
Clearly his throat James said. “Dominika is asleep.”
“Good.” Father Pavel nodded. “Can I still not change your mind about staying James?”
“No.” James said simply.
Next to Father Pavel, Daisy shuffled in her seat.
“Hmmm.” Father Pavel sighed. “Will you do one last thing for me James before you go?”
Leaning back in the pew so that the seat made a creaking noise, James looked down at the floor and replied in a sad voice. “You know I can’t do it Father.”
Reaching over Father Pavel touched James shoulder. “Someday you will my child, you will allow yourself absolution.”
Seeing how Father Pavel’s hand rested on James shoulder, Daisy could see that he was he wasn’t at all comfortable in having human contact, that if it was anyone else he was likely to violently shake them off but because it was Father Pavel he didn’t. Slowly James looked up from the floor and into Father Pavel’s eyes, to where he gave a sad solemn look that changed slowly to gratefulness as he looked at the elderly Priest, there was limitless respect from James to Father Pavel and from Father Pavel to James, though the two man were extremely different they were bound together from the past and there future though different would only strength with the help of the other’s respect, even though they would may never see each other again.
With her own coat back on, Daisy and James left the church, Father Pavel gave Daisy a gentle hug and said a blessing in Russian to her and watched as they both left into the snowy cold night.