Page 4 of Meet Odin

“My boy, you’ll never have to worry about a meal or a roof over your head again.”

I didn’t know all the details, but I didn’t care. I was going to be rich.

***

OnceIagreed,Mr.De Angelis told me to shower. He must have sent for clothes because there was a bag of essentials outside the bathroom door. That night, I thought I died and went to heaven in the bed. I made sure the door was locked, but so far, everything was okay. I could still run, I kept telling myself.

The next morning, we left Sweden by private plane. It was the first time I had ever flown. As I sat at the window and watched my country disappear into the clouds, I wondered if I would ever make it back. I wasn’t sad to be leaving, but I wasn’t excited for this next chapter. I didn’t know what to expect, and I didn’t want to ask for fear of the answers.

***

Wepulledintoacircular drive in front of an imposing compound. I didn’t know where we were, but I assumed this was Mr. De Angelis’s home.

“This is where I leave you, my boy," he said in English.

I turned to look at him. “What do you mean?” I asked, switching to English. The orphanage had taught us the most popular languages for when rich people decided they wanted a foreign kid. They can't pretend to show you off if you don't speak the language.

“This is the Silent Syndicate’s home basis of operation. When you exit the vehicle, walk up the stairs, and Mr. X will help you get settled in. You’ll have an aptitude test first, and based on those results, we’ll figure out what your pathway is.”

“I thought my pathway was working for you,” I said.

“Oh, it is, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

I looked at the compound again. Steeling my shoulders back, I exited the car and didn’t say anything else. When I made it to the front door, I heard the car pull away. I didn’t know when the next time I would see Mr. De Angelis.

Knocking on the front door, I waited.

An older gentleman answered. He was dressed in a fitted black suit with tails and a crisp white shirt, black bowtie at his neck.

“You must be Mr. Odin. Come in,” he said to me. "I am Mr. X."

I walked through the door, scanning the entryway for any sign that I needed to run.

“The time to run was before Mr. De Angelis offered you an opportunity. That time is now over, Odin,” Mr. X said to me. He was watching me as if I would steal the vases that sat in the entry way for pocket change. The thought had crossed my mind.

“Come.”

Mr. X led me up two flights of stairs to a hallway lined with doors. “All of the boys have bedrooms on this floor. You will have a bedroom on this floor. There are no girls here, so that won’t be an issue. However, please keep your door closed at all times. No one wants to see you…” He paused. …indisposed.”

He walked down the hallway to the third door on the right. Opening it, he swung the door inward and then took a step back. I looked at him once, and then I went in.

In the orphanage, all of the boys that were a same age had slept in one long room lined with bunk beds. They were god-awful uncomfortable, and if someone was having a rough night, no one slept.

This room was nicer than anything I had been given before. There was a bed along one wall and a desk underneath a window.

“We have a dress code here. You will find acceptable clothes in the closet. I’ll leave you to get dressed. Once you’re finished, come back to the entryway on the first floor. I’ll meet you there.” He shut the door on his way out.

“So, this is how the other half lives,” I whispered to myself as I whistled. I laid on the bed and crossed my ankles with my hands clasped behind my head. I could get used to this.

I don’t know how long I laid there, but a voice came out of nowhere.

“Mister Odin, we don’t have all day for you to lounge around.”

I looked around to see if I could find where it had come from.

“There is an intercom system. Get dressed.”

***

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