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Ania

I frowned at the screen as my green coding filled the screen.

My heart always pounded at this part, but there was something about this job that was odd.

I couldn’t find anything on the person who requested the job, and the anonymity made me nervous.

The final payout was substantial, and that was what persuaded me.

A notification popped up in the corner of my screen.

Someone had clicked on the attachment that I’d sent in the email. I cleared my screen and quickly accessed the user's computer.

The files were in the exact location the buyer said.

I quickly applied the coding and began to break through their antivirus software.

I grabbed my energy drink, downing half the can before continuing my work.

Once I was in, I sat back, downloading all the files while watching the code on the screen.

Someone was trying to dislodge my malware software by running an antivirus programme.

My virus was unique and usually undetectable.

I’d accessed government systems using my creation without any problems.

I continued to tap away on my keyboard because it was too late for them.

Once I was inside their system, I had control.

The files were in the process of downloading, with 16% remaining.

Almost done, and I could get out of there.

As soon as the files were done, I clicked on it, but it was encrypted.

I needed to steal the key.

What was so important that it had so much security?

I rubbed my eyes and began typing code so fast that it whizzed on the screen.

I toggled to my other window to cut out some of the additional coding I needed before transferring it to my current page.

When I found the key, I snatched it up and removed it from their system.

Usually, the other party never knew I’d been in and out of their system.

I rarely damaged the system or the hardware, but in this case, the damage was unavoidable.

I began to work on the encrypted files.

The data made no sense it was coded because there were letters and numbers mixed together.

I accessed the other files and it had similar coding.

I started with the common denominator and worked most of the night to break it all down.

This wasn’t what I was paid to do but I needed to know whose system I’d hacked.

By early morning, I realised that I had hacked into Adrik Ilyin’s system and stolen files containing accounts of all his criminal dealings—dates, locations, amounts, and names.

I deleted everything, but not before I copied it onto a drive.

It was my insurance because when the head of the Bratva found me, I was as good as dead.

The man was fucking homicidal.

I pulled my phone out to instigate my safety protocol.

Me: I messed up, real bad.

If you haven't heard from me for a while, I went underground.

If I don't get in touch with you after six weeks to confirm my safety, then Adrik Ilyin has me or has killed me.

You know what to do.

Thank you for being a true friend to me when I needed one the most.

My hands were trembling, but I couldn’t give in to the fear.

Rurik was a client but a good man, considering he was a wealthy businessman.

He was a rare anomaly in a world full of greed and survival.

I sent the accompanying email, which had my data, funds and will on how to distribute my wealth.

He held the key to unlock it.

I was the infamous White Rabbit, and I had collected a considerable amount of funds over the years.

I had several hideouts under various names, and although I used safety measures to protect this location, it was never against someone like Adrik Ilyin—the youngest and most brutal Bratva pakhan in the Brotherhood's history.

I had never worked for a criminal organisation, not even when I first started out.

The problem with working in the shadows was you got to know all the monsters.

Adrik was one of Russia’s most prolific, and no one could touch him.

I scrubbed my computers, grabbed my go bag and set the fire.

There was no time to be sentimental and watch my base go up in flames.

I pulled my hood up and ran to my motorbike.

It was time for this rabbit to run.