One Hundred Lives

By Natasha A. Salnikova

Marina has no idea that her life is about to turn upside down when she changes her usual route to work. She sees her husband talking with a woman on the street when he is supposed to be at work. Marina confronts him at home and the next day he disappears as if he never existed in her life. And then everything spins out of control and Marina can no longer determine who is a friend and who is an enemy. One thing becomes perfectly clear: her seven-year-old son is suddenly in danger and she has to protect him. (The author put clues throughout the first part of the book that could help you predict the next turn.)One Hundred Lives is a science fiction thriller with so many twists and turns, it will make you dizzy. So jump on the ride and hold tight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natasha A. Salnikova
• Release date: May 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393320562

Book preview

Blurb

Marina has no idea that her life is about to turn upside down when she changes her usual route to work. She sees her husband talking with a woman on the street when he is supposed to be at work. Marina confronts him at home and the next day he disappears as if he never existed in her life. And then everything spins out of control and Marina can no longer determine who is a friend and who is an enemy. One thing becomes perfectly clear: her seven-year-old son is suddenly in danger and she has to protect him. One Hundred Lives is a science fiction thriller with so many twists and turns, it will make you dizzy. So jump on the ride and hold tight.

(The author put clues throughout the first part of the book that could help you predict the next turn.)

PART ONE

Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

Luke 23:34

CHAPTER I

Marina kissed Danny and he wiped his cheek.

Mom, lipstick, he said, wrinkling his face.

Just a lip balm today. She smiled and waited for her son to disappear inside the school.

He was seven and not yet ashamed to show affection for his parents, but five more years and he would check around to see if his friends were watching him when his mom kissed him good-bye. He might not let her kiss him at all. Unfortunately, she couldn’t sneak into the future and see her son in his teenage years. That would help her for sure. She heard a lot about kids who became strangers to their parents after turning eleven or twelve. She would never be ready to face that. She would find a way to go around that curve in their lives as smoothly as possible.

Marina sighed. Time went by so fast. She was going to be thirty-three in five years. So old. Even though at twenty-two, when Danny was born, five years seemed so distant and unreal. At that time, she thought she could do anything. Five years seemed like an eternity, but all she accomplished during that time was to bury her husband. Those five years she lived in a fog. Her whole life seemed foggy sometimes. Sometimes, she thought she was losing her hold on reality. Especially in those strange moments right after she woke up, when her mind was just crossing the border of her dream, pulling its phantom images and words onto the surface.

Marina looked at her watch and hurried to the metro.

What am I thinking? she mumbled. Going to be late for work now.

Excuse me? Excuse me!

Marina stopped and turned to the voice. A gaudy woman about her age, dressed in a long, white coat and red boots, strolled toward her from the school gate. Her coat opened, revealing a little black dress and red scarf. The scarf flared in the wind. Marina felt suddenly ashamed of her old fashion clothes even though she had new boots on and a new purple jacket. She chose the jacket because it wouldn’t show dirt fast. She would never buy anything white to wear at the beginning of winter in Boston. It would be fine if she just went from the house to the car and from the car to the office, but after Eliot died in a crash, she tried to avoid cars as much as possible. The metro was also convenient. There was no traffic and she could read a book.

Marina remembered this woman from two events at Danny’s school. She was the mother of a spoiled, but cute girl named Melena. Marina didn’t like Melena’s mother’s personality and never talked to her. Not that she really talked much to anyone. At all school gatherings she kept pretty much to herself and even hoped that no one would approach her with small talk. All people were different and Marina was not the outgoing one. What would she talk about with strangers anyway? This woman? She didn’t even know her first name.

Are you Danny Carpenter’s mother?

Yes, Marina answered and thought about ways to retreat. The woman beamed and didn’t look like she was going to disappear. She looked like she would grab Marina’s hand and pull her to some strange and scary planet called Instant Friend Land.

I knew it was you! The woman stopped next to Marina, enveloping her in the aroma of a sweet, expensive perfume. Melena adores your son! He’s her best friend. I asked her, ‘like a boyfriend?’ and she was like, ‘no Mom, we are just friends.’ So funny, kids this age.

Marina couldn’t remember Danny mentioning this girl as his best friend, but didn’t argue.

My son talks about your daughter too. She didn’t lie. He talked about her and his other classmates at the dinner table, when he reported about his day at school. Nothing special about anyone. Marina wanted to check her watch, but didn’t know how it would look. The woman was annoying, but Marina still didn’t want to be rude. The way she was reared didn’t always help her to pursue her own interests.

I remember what Ms. Posh said! The woman continued to chatter, oblivious to Marina’s tension. "I was next to you at the appreciation brunch and overheard your conversation. I would be so proud if I were you. Melena is not stupid, of course, but your Danny is something else. I mean—a protégé."

Prodigy.

Yeah. Genius, not just gifted. Everyone is gifted now, right? What do you think about her advice, by the way? Ms. Posh talked to you about moving him up.

I’m sorry... Marina started. She didn’t want to be rude, but her boss wouldn’t appreciate her good manners. It’s a long conversation and I have to get to my office. I take the metro there because I don’t like to drive. She felt she had to apologize for using public transportation. It didn’t fit in the same sentence with private school. She adjusted the heavy bag on her shoulder. Today there was an apple, a thick book, a cosmetic bag, a wallet, a phone, and a full bottle of water.

I don’t like to drive either. Where’s your office? the woman asked.

Marina gave the answer unwillingly.

Great! The woman touched Marina’s hand. Marina’s normal reaction would be to flinch because she didn’t like when virtual strangers communicated with such familiarity, but she smiled instead. It wasn’t like her to be irritated by small things. I’m actually going to that area! the woman exclaimed. "There is this cool, new coffee shop I love. I’ll walk you to your office and we can talk on the way. Sounds cool? I always wanted to chat with you about your son. I mean, I want to know what you’ve done in terms of ... I don’t know. There must be something you did for him to turn out this way."

Oh, I didn’t ...

Let’s go, we don’t want to be late! The woman hooked Marina under her arm, sending her directly into a speech block. Marina wanted to object, but didn’t have time to regain her senses before being diverted from her normal route. "I’m so bored sometimes that I’m forced to talk to my driver. You know what I mean? The woman winked and Marina nodded even though she had no idea what the woman meant. Come on. Get in."

Marina didn’t want to get in and she especially didn’t want to talk to this woman. She wanted to go to the metro and continue her annual reading of The Stand. She had more than half of the book to go. Only, she had a problem. She was unable to say no to things she didn’t want to do and questions she didn’t want to answer. She tried to dodge any inappropriate questions, but sacrificed her desires, her time, and her comfort for the sake of others. Meanwhile, the woman pushed her to a white Bentley with dark windows. A middle-aged, handsome man was already holding the door open. He looked like he was about to report to a general.

Get in! the woman said.

She plopped onto the car seat first and Marina slid in after her. The car was saturated with its owner’s perfume which was fighting to overpower the smell of new leather. The driver slammed the door and ran around the car to resume his place. First, we have to drop off... the woman started to talk and then turned to her traveling companion. What’s your name? I can’t remember names, sorry.

Marina.

Marina. I’m Elizabeth, but I’m sure you remember. So, we have to drop Marina off at her work. Where is it again?

Marina gave the address and waited for the next question, trying to figure out what had just happened and how she ended up in this car.

So, tell me everything, Elizabeth said as the car began to move. She took off her coat, threw it on the front seat, crossed her legs, and stared at Marina.

Marina felt so uncomfortable and lost that her hands began to shake. She didn’t know what to say and just thought how different this woman was from her. This woman who, it was pretty obvious, didn’t work, but at the same time didn’t have to struggle financially. She sent her daughter to private school because that was what she was supposed to do, because that was what all her friends did. Marina, on the other hand, worked fifty hours a week or more, so her son could receive a good education. They weren’t broke or anything, but they couldn’t afford a Bentley with a driver or a winter house in Florida. Of course, she didn’t know if Elizabeth had a winter house anywhere. She didn’t know anything about this woman and didn’t want to know. Instant Friend Land wasn’t her type of planet.

Ms. Posh told you that Danny was bored in second grade. Elizabeth indicated that Marina should pick up the conversation from that point.

Yes.

And?

I’ve been having this conversation with Ms. Posh as well as other teachers for three years. They tested him and said he can jump to grade five, yes. Marina said it and felt like she ran a marathon.

And? What are you going to do?

Why do you care? Marina wanted to ask, but smiled instead.

Are you going to send him to fifth grade next year? Elizabeth demanded. Each one of her questions sounded like a demand and Marina, yet again, gave herself a promise to learn how to speak to people. She should think about her own interests first and foremost. Why was it so difficult?

I thought about it, she replied, but I don’t want to destroy his childhood. How is he going to feel in the company of classmates who would be older than him?

What?

Elizabeth asked in such a tone that Marina felt like apologizing.

I’m still thinking, she said. There’s no rush. She exhaled. She did it. It was a short, but detailed answer, wasn’t it? Elizabeth’s eyes were wide with surprise. She looked like she wasn’t sure if she heard correctly. For a few seconds, she just stared at Marina.

I see your point, she finally said. Those kids would bully him for being small. That’s actually smart of you. Tell me, what did you do though? I mean, did you feed him some special diet? Melena is a horrible reader and she’s eight! I was reading books like a fish swims when I was her age. Or was I younger? I don’t remember. What was it?

I fed him carrots.

What? Carrots? Like organic? How many?

I’m kidding, sorry. Marina regretted her attempt to be funny. Why would she do that anyway?

Oh, okay. Got you. I was thinking maybe I didn’t give her enough carrots or something. Elizabeth didn’t laugh.

Marina looked out the window when they stopped at a red traffic light. She wanted to get out.

I don’t know what I did, she said, just to be polite. He was always bright. He learned how to read when he was two.

"I started hiring tutors for Melena when she was two! Reading, Chinese, ballet, violin, tennis. Everything for her and what? She’s an idiot. I mean, I shouldn’t have said that about my child, but really. I mean, really."

You don’t have to say it, Marina said and bit her lip. She didn’t have to say anything at all. Elizabeth just waved her hand and Marina regarded her long, red nails and her ring with a huge ruby.

I won’t. I love her, she’s my daughter.

Marina hoped the conversation would die at this point and they would end up in awkward silence, but her hope died first.

What does your husband do? Elizabeth asked.

Marina was about to answer, but music started to play and Elizabeth lifted up her index finger.

Just a second, she said. Jesus, give me my coat.

The driver followed the order, but before Elizabeth could answer, the phone had stopped ringing.

Crap, she muttered. Wait a minute. It could be an important call.

She stuck her hand in her coat pocket and extracted a red phone.

I need to call back, she announced after checking her missed calls. Marina sighed with relief. Maybe the phone conversation would last the rest of the way.

She turned to the window when Bentley’s owner yelled, Hey, be-atch!

CHAPTER II

Marina didn’t listen to the conversation, sinking into her own thoughts. Yes, she and this woman existed in two different universes. Elizabeth’s life was probably filled with bright occasions, parties, trips to exotic countries. Marina didn’t complain about her life even though she couldn’t brag about extraordinary events. School, college, a child. She had an ordinary life, but her life satisfied her, she didn’t have regrets. If she was offered an opportunity to change something, she would save Eliot. If she could, she would warn him not to get into that car, but she couldn’t change anything now. It was good that Larson came into her life and helped her to get back on her feet. With him, she could continue to feel alive and even happy. He was like a prince from a fairytale who came to her rescue. He came to kiss her and revive her heart that was filled with sadness. He accepted Danny as his own son, loved him unconditionally, and tried to fulfill his every wish.

Yes, she was happy, but something bothered her. Marina couldn’t find an answer or a reason for her anxiety. She couldn’t understand why she woke up in the middle of every night in a cold sweat as if something horrible had happened. Why did she run into Danny’s room to see if he was all right? Why did she feel like someone was watching her? Why did she sometimes catch Larson’s intense look? The one she couldn’t explain? Maybe she should go to a therapist as her friend Gail suggested. Gail was her best friend and she was always there to support her. Marina thought that all those unreasonable fears and nightmares were probably a reaction to her husband’s death. As if in her subconsciousness, she was afraid of losing her loved one again and again. Marina didn’t know if that was the truth. Sometimes she didn’t know anything. For example, why did she have a feeling, from time to time, that she must do something important, something meaningful? Like she was meant for great deeds. Every time, after going through this sensation, Marina chuckled. Of course—great deeds. What could she do? She was just a modest accountant. Didn’t other people have thoughts like these? Everyone wanted to feel special, break away from their everyday routine, become a hero, make their life more meaningful, do something for the sake of humanity. These desires eventually ceased in the everyday battle with routine. Wannabe heroes turned into grumpy old people, unhappy with life. Would that happen to her too?

Marina shuddered when she heard Elizabeth’s screech, but when she turned to her, she saw the woman was still talking on her phone, twisting a lock of her hair around her finger.

Wow! Elizabeth exclaimed. I can’t believe it!

Marina just noticed that they weren’t moving. Traffic was horrible at this time of day. The owner of the car didn’t worry about such nuisance, but Marina knew she was going to be late for work. She looked at her watch and saw that she had only twelve minutes to get to where she was supposed to be.

She turned to the window again and almost gasped from surprise. Right in front of her, on the sidewalk, there was Larson. Her wonderful husband. What was he doing here? He should have been in another part of the city, in the office of his travel agency.

Maybe it wasn’t him, but someone who looked like him? This guy had the same coat and scarf, but that didn’t mean anything. People could dress the same and look the same without being related in any way. Right? Right.

The man outside couldn’t see her because she was hidden behind the dark windows of the car, so Marina reached for her cell phone. She had to call her husband to make sure he was looking for cheap hotels and convenient flights for his clients as he was supposed to do and destroy this unpleasant moment of uncertainty. Marina looked at Elizabeth, but it seemed that the woman had forgotten about her, concentrated on the conversation, and Marina dialed the number.

After the first ring, the man on the sidewalk stuck his hand into the pocket of his coat, the coat that looked exactly like Larson’s, and produced a phone that looked exactly like Larson’s as well. Marina saw its silver surface gleaming in the morning sun. The man looked at the screen, made a strange movement with his head, and pressed the phone against his ear.

Hello, Larson said. The man on the sidewalk scanned his surroundings. He seemed to look directly into her eyes, but obviously he didn’t see her because he turned away.

La ... Hi, she said. What was he doing here?

Hi, Marina. Are you okay?

What about you? She didn’t want to lie. Especially to a person she loved. She preferred to answer with a question.

Fine. You usually don’t call at this time.

Got a free minute. So, how is work?

It’s crazy as always. Tired already.

Okay, sorry to hear that. I’ll let you go then.

Why did you call? The man behind the window with the silver phone in his hand lifted his other hand in a greeting gesture when a woman in a red coat approached him.

I... Marina’s tongue became numb. The woman in the red coat smiled, the man in the black coat smiled back at her. I just wanted to ask you... Marina paused, trying to think of a truthful lie. She couldn’t win a lying competition, but she could try her best when the need arose. She definitely needed to now. I just wanted to ask what you would like for dinner. That was a good one. She had always tried to surprise her men with something new and delicious.

Is that it? The man behind the window shrugged. I don’t know. Something with meat. I like everything with meat, you know that.

He wasn’t angry with her or irritated. He had never been angry or irritated and those were two of the many reasons she loved him.

Damn. Look at this traffic, the driver muttered.

Okay, Marina said, covering the phone with her hand. See you tonight.

See you. Love you.

I love you too. Marina turned off the phone and watched the man behind the window hiding his phone in his pocket. A silver phone. Larson had gotten it two weeks ago in exchange for his old one of the same kind. What brand was that? She suddenly realized she couldn’t remember. Mesmerized, she watched as the man in the black coat who looked just like her husband walked away with the woman in the red coat. She was a beautiful woman with smooth black hair and bold, red lips.

They didn’t smile when they turned away. They looked as if they had some secret between them. The man in black who looked like Larson and the woman in red walked in the direction of the shops along the road.

Marina took a bottle of water from her bag and took a few sips.

It was her husband. Larson. The one who told her he was at work. He smiled at the woman in red and walked with her in the direction of the shops. Or maybe in the direction of the apartments that were located right behind the shopping plaza.

What’s happening? Why aren’t we moving?

Marina looked at Elizabeth. The woman finally finished talking and now noticed the surroundings.

We are stuck, the driver sighed.

I hate traffic. Elizabeth leaned back and then turned to Marina abruptly, as if she just remembered she was there.

You won’t believe it, she said, widening her eyes and raising her eyebrows.

You won’t believe it either, Marina thought. My husband is cheating on me. How about that?

When this thought reached her mind, she felt like hot oil was spilled in her stomach.

Marina wanted to jump out of the car and inhale some cold air. She wanted to run after her husband and ask him how he could do it. She wanted to run after the woman in red and ask her how she could do it. Didn’t she know that man was married? Marina didn’t think about her job anymore and didn’t hear Elizabeth. She saw the woman’s mouth opening and closing, she saw her head going up and down, but the sounds were muted. She was in a fog and everything around her seemed unreal and insignificant.

Marina noticed the car had moved. She wanted to get out; she wanted to get away from this loud, obnoxious woman who didn’t care about Marina or what was going on in her life. Marina wouldn’t tell her anyway. She wouldn’t speak about this embarrassment with anyone. Maybe with her mom ... Maybe.

" ... here? Do you work in this building? Are you okay?

Thank you very much.

No problem, Elizabeth answered. Her voice wasn’t friendly or carefree anymore. It sounded rather arrogant and disdainful. Marina didn’t care and didn’t want to think about it. She shut the car door and hurried to the office without turning back.

She was late and she didn’t care. She didn’t care what her boss would say. She wasn’t sure she would care if he fired her. She wouldn’t be able to work today anyway. Should she go home or try to suck it up and keep going as if nothing had happened?

Marina entered the building, thinking about the scene behind the window of the car. Her husband, his silver phone, his smile. He told her he was at work. That beautiful woman in a red coat. How long had they known each other? He didn’t take his eyes off her when she approached him. Was she his lover? It couldn’t be. No. Not Larson. He was not like that. She knew him too well. They loved each other. He couldn’t do that to her. He just couldn’t. Maybe it was another of her dreams and she just had to wake up. Maybe that was it.

CHAPTER III

Marina anticipated a conversation with her boss, but he wasn’t at work. Tammy, the only one in the small room besides Marina, was eating a croissant and drinking coffee while browsing one of the social sites, instead of working. She did it all the time when their boss was away. Even if he went to the bathroom. Marina was indifferent to Internet communication because she didn’t believe in virtual friendship. She believed in the kind of friendship where you could feel and hear your friends, where you could look into their eyes. She wanted to live in the here and now. The Internet seemed to her like a soul-killing monster. Even though reality, sometimes, seemed like a dream.

How often did she go to bed emotionally hungry, hoping that something was going to happen tomorrow and her life would turn around? It happened all too often and she couldn’t control her thoughts. What should she do? She accepted everything as it was and didn’t seek artificial sensations as others did. Maybe she should have tried.

Today she received sensations that she thought were missing from her life. Not exactly what she expected even though she didn’t really know what she did expect. Not exactly something she was grateful for. Not something she wanted to accept. It was something she wanted to keep in her dream and forget upon waking up.

Marina hung her bag on the back of the chair, took off her jacket, and sat at her desk.

She needed to concentrate and go through the event with a clear head. Could her husband cheat on her? How? Why? Why didn’t she notice anything? When had it started? For how long had he been lying to her?

Marina!

She shuddered and looked at the woman at the desk in front of her.

Yes, Tammy.

I’ve called you three times and you didn’t answer. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What happened? Tammy sipped her coffee. The plate was empty now except for a few croissant crumbs. Marina remembered there was a poppy flower painted on the plate. Tammy had a book on her desk with a dragon and a half-naked man on the cover. He probably was a savior of some magical world.

Ghost? No, no ghosts. Marina shook her head.

Sorry, girl. Tammy put her cup away. The cup also had a red poppy flower on it. They just sent in the report. She nodded in the direction of a thick folder on Marina’s desk. Should I start working on it?

Marina just noticed the folder.

Yes, you can start, she said then stood and went out of the room.

Where are you going? Tammy asked, surprised. Marina had never acted like this. She came to the office, sat down at her desk, and didn’t raise her head from the numbers until the work day was over.

I’ll be back in a minute. I have a headache, need to grab some fresh air.

I have Tylenol, Tammy said. She sounded confused. I have cold medication too.

Thank you. It’s going to be fine.

Marina went outside, stopped on the porch, and leaned against a cold, brick wall of the building. She didn’t put her jacket on and cold sneaked under her blouse right away. "That’s good, Marina thought. I need to pull myself together and it helps."

The cold was forgotten fast and she even became hot while trying to remember any signs. Something that could help her to understand why. Something that she missed, didn’t notice, something that could make a crack in their relationship. She didn’t see it because she didn’t look for it, she didn’t suspect its existence. Maybe Larson had been hiding his dissatisfaction and unhappiness. What made him unhappy? What did he find unsatisfactory? Sex? It had probably become more of a routine. Two times a week in a best case scenario if no one had a headache. Did he want romance, unpredictability? Did he desire new adventures? All of the above? It was probably sex. Another body, unfamiliar touching.

A black raven landed near the porch. It couldn’t be, but it seemed like the bird looked at her. Its coal eyes linked with Marina’s for a moment. She felt cold again, but to her relief the staring contest didn’t last long. A couple of pigeons came by and the raven took off.

Marina shivered and went inside the building, returning to Larson in her