Our Flame

xxxvi

NADIA

"Mama?" Six year old me calls out. I smile as she gives me her full attention. "I miss Nik." I then pout.

"When will he come home?" I ask. Mama gives me a small smile, "He'll be back with Papa soon." I huff. Papa is mean to me, I just want Niko back- not him.

"I know, Nadia." Mama sighs. Papa makes her sad too. The pout doesn't leave my face as I think about how sad he makes her.

He's too mean.

"How about we go watch the sunset, маленький?
(little/little one)

I nod as she grabs my small hand in hers, my pout turns into a smile as I look at the sun go down. The sky turning the perfect color.

"Mama, why do you like the moon more than the sun?" I wonder. She smiles at me, not yet giving an answer.

"It lights up the night, what's there not to like?" Mama replies. "But the sun lights up the day and makes everyone happy?" I remind.

"Yes, but the moon is shining on us even in our darkest hours. Where is the sun then?" Mama speaks.

And from that day on, I loved the moon.

I throw my hand over my face as the sun shines through the window. For the first time since I've been here, I woke up peacefully.

No gasping for air, no tears, no shaking. I finally slept, with no worries.

Suddenly a ringing fills my room- the intercoms. Apparently they came with the house. "Nadia and Ezra are on breakfast today."

That gets my attention. I roll over shoving my face in a pillow. I'm not upset about seeing Ezra, my peaceful morning is coming to an end.

As soon as I get out of bed worries will be pushed on to me. I'll worry about my brothers- has my father found them? I'll worry about Gianna and who's taking care of Misha.

Finally, I get out of bed with a sigh. I haven't thought about telling Ezra that I remember him, I want him to bring it up.

Too bad I'm not a patient person.

Quickly I brush my teeth throwing on a random pair of sweatpants, "Hey." I greet Ezra as I enter the kitchen. Instead of getting a greeting back, I get a nod in my direction.

Weird, deciding not to worry about it, I do what he's doing. Which is cracking eggs. The silence between the two of us is almost painful.

"I have a dog, well she's actually a puppy but still." I start. I look and he's still focused on making breakfast. "Her name is Misha, it means bear."

"But she isn't a bear." Ezra walks to the fridge. "Aleksi said that too." I mumble. "What's wrong?" I finally ask.

"Nothing, Nadia." He replies. "This isn't how you acted last night." I say. "Did you find something out about him and his plans?" I refer to my father.

Finally Ezra looks at me, "I got you a computer." He states. My eyebrows furrow, "For school." Ezra shortly explains.

"Thank you." I appreciate, school is the one thing I get to keep in this situation. Then I remembered what I asked him, "Are you not telling me something about him?"