Varvara wasn't stupid. She knew that her mistake won't just go buried under just like that. As a result of using an internet-connected vending machine, her cloned card had triggered an alarm that caused a ruse.
Now the cops would be everywhere at the airport she will be dropping in because of that. Since they have no idea it was her that did it, she was still safe for now.
But there was no denying that she was wanted in many countries. She was simply just smart enough to keep evading them from time to time. They didn't even have a photo of her.
But what do you think will happen if they find out that she was behind those major security break-ins? She shook her head from those thoughts. They'll never find out it was her, Varvara said firmly in her mind.
She needed to be prepared. She began taking out any implicating materials from her. The laptop she was using, her MiFi, her security chip—everything required to be disposed of.
But she was still on a plane. She looked over at the snoring old man beside her and couldn't help but squeeze her face in disgust. However, looking down was his suitcase laying below his legs.
That'll do. She quickly did a factory reset of the computer and took the suitcase. Then she poured everything inside, even went as far as removing the books and papers already inside the suitcase to create space.
The old man was so deep in his sleep that he had no idea his suitcase was being vandalised. After she was done, she laid it back on the ground and shifted the old man's leg directly over the suitcase.
Her mind was partially at rest. Her next hurdle was the cops that would be swarming the airport.
She was not wrong.
By the time she'd collected her backpack, she approached the scanning area and passed through it. To her worst nightmare, the scanner beeped and flashed with red light.
Heavens! A cop with a moustache approached her and told her to open her backpack. She was a ruthless black-hat hacker, but even she had a form of phobia of the police.
Even with the raging storm inside of her, she still appeared calm on the outside. She opened the luggage smoothly and unpacked her clothes. It turned out that there was a safety pin lodged between her green skirt.
She took it out and showed it to the cops, but he wasn't convinced yet. He approached her with a black stick and waved it around her, while it made a wobbling sound.
"You purchased something recently?" He asked leisurely. "Apart from the food I bought before flying, none", Varvara replied. "Hmm, 'right. Pack your things", he said briskly and headed to the next person behind her.
Just one stupid mistake.
She was led to the checkout area where she gave out her passport. The lady in charge took it and scrutinized it for a moment and checked it on her computer.
A torturous one minute later, the lady handed her her passport. "Welcome to Massachusetts", she said robotically.
Varvara took her backpack and wore it with relief. She quickly left the airport terminal and boarded a taxi that drove her to her already booked hotel. She checked in and headed to her room.
Now that she had no computer with her, she needed to purchase one. That would be done later. However, she was still aware of her main goal. Find her hacker and deal with him.
- - - - - - - - - -
For a full minute, the three engaged in an impromptu staring contest, as one found it difficult to make the first move. Sophia received the most of the shock, looking at the person she thought she would never see, ever.
"Hold on a sec. You're the 'Simon' we've been talking to?" Jennifer asked with a frown. "But you're like...twelve", she added.
"I'm sorry you found out this way, but I'm also as surprised as you are", James said calmly, but his heart was thumping inwardly.
Looking at Sophia's face brought fond memories. The blue eyes, the already maturing body shape, the well-carved features; How much time had passed since they met?
It appeared puberty had got the better of her. She was very different from when he first met her. "Well I don't think you are, 'Simon'", Jennifer snapped.
"Jenny, can James and I talk in private?" Sophia, who was still processing her shock said without looking up. "Sophia", Jennifer said softly. "Jenny, I'll be fine. I just want to ask him a few questions", she said. Jennifer smiled a bit and walked to an already open table and sat there, leaving the two alone.
However, before James could say anything, Sophia spoke. "Why didn't you tell me all this while about your real identity?" Sophia asked. "Sophia, do you know the risk of revealing my identity online? Besides, I didn't know you were the one until I found out your computer was being compromised".
This time, James' face fell. "Trust me, I didn't plan for all these to happen. When you sent me that message, I wanted to dump it initially. But you sounded desperate.
"If it's one thing I hated, it's copyright infringement. You said your idea was about to be stolen by some entities, so I decided to step in. When I began searching for your documents match, I got four computers and a server match.
"However, there was one of those connections that invoked my attention. Mark Adolf, a biology teacher from the school I went to, that we both went to. I was shocked that he was involved in this, so I dug deeper.
"He sounded desperate for something like he wanted something from someone. At that point, I knew I couldn't just back out. I had to search for the 'person' that was putting him on edge. However, I was very much surprised to see that person was none other than you.
"He wanted to steal your ideas behind your back and showed them to a group of corrupt university board members. Thankfully, the research wasn't complete. He kept promising this person that he would coax you to send in the remaining one", James paused and took a deep breath.