Their Mockingbird- Complete

20

7 years later. Nancy is 14. The year is 1929

Tuesday

Nancy pov

My life in Russia is different to say the least. I live in a house the size of a Palace and yet I've never been out of the walls. As much as I miss my family, I know I made the right decision. I can't remember everything from that day, but Lucia says I refused to leave her side. I can't imagine my life without Lucia. She's like a sister to me.

Lucia lives with me and stays in the room next to mine. She protects me the best she can but sometimes, it's not always possible. She has taught me Russian and I even have an accent now. My brummie tone has disappeared and anyone would think I was a native Russian

Everyone has been forced to vote. And vote for one man only. Joseph stalin. 2 months ago, he came into power and the world is already changing for the worse. Our country is no longer a civilised society. But a dictatorship. I hear of people starving on the streets. And even for the rich like myself, life is failing us. Doctors are in short supply and even we are struggling for food. Not to mention the fact that if you don't support the horrid man, you are shot and its as simple as that

I married viktor yet I see him less every passing day. But i suppose that isn't a bad thing. In Russia, when a man marries his wife, rape isn't considered illegal. Infact, it isn't considered rape at all. Apparently marriage is consent for a life time of brutal, painful and unwanted sex. He never did anything to me. And I never even knew it was legal. That was until my 12th birthday. Then it all changed

He wanted an heir. And there was one time when I became pregnant however I miscarried after a beating for stalins men. It was all because they caught me praying. I was saying my nightly prayers which has become my only comfort when they stormed in. I got a good beating in the back. I was 13. Since then, I havnt gotten pregnant and I'm glad. Not only am I not ready to be a mother, but dictator Russia is certainly not where I plan on raising young lives

"NANCY!" I heard Lucia scream. I looked away from the crackling fire from shock. This isn't the same scream as when I answer back. And it isn't the same scream as when I say something that could get me killed. No. This is the scream of pain and terror

Wails and agonising yells are heard coming from viktors room. His room is across the hall from me (where he takes his mistresses). I take no time in running to the room and opening the door. But the minute i step inside the room, I feel an arm pressed around my neck and then my body is slammed against the wall. Lucia is on her knees with 2 soldiers either side of her. Tears stream down her face and her lip is already cut and swelling quickly

"Gryaznyy khristianin. Prover'te yeye komnatu na akty izmeny"
Filthy Christian. Check her room for acts of treason

The inspector who stood between me and Lucia bellowed. 3 soldiers who were stood by the door left and went into my room. I could hear them knocking things over and no doubt breaking everything in site. If they were to find it.....then I would be doomed

"Ochistit' inspektor"
Clear inspector

Once I hear those words, I try not to show the sigh of relief that escapes my lips. Lucia is trembling under the soldiers grasp

"Otpustite ikh. Dostatochno skoro ty sovershish' oshibku, i ya, ne koleblyas', otpravlyu tebya pryamikom v GULAG"
Release them. Soon enough, you will make a mistake and i won't hesitate to send you straight to the Gulags

The inspector says not taking his eyes off me. I remain staring at Lucia as he comes closer to me, his hot breath hitting my neck. And then, they leave. All the soldiers and the inspector leave the room so it is simply me, Lucia and now, viktor

"Oh lucia" I exclaim as i run to her side. She hugs me tightly and cries into my shoulder. My and Lucia aren't afraid of death. Infact, we would gladly give our lives to see the country we call home restored back to its glorious state. But what we do fear is torture. Not the painful part of it for we know that will all be over soon. But it's the thought of revealing others secrets. That's why it's best not to know things. If I were to be tortured, I cant promise i won't let something slip that could result in the death of another life

"Why are you in my room?" Viktor asks in his usual cold demeaner

"Because I was hoping to find you for......sexual needs. But instead i found the inspector" Lucia says standing up as straight as possible after being wacked in the back

"I see. Well I won't ever decline that offer. If you want, i could take both of you right now" he said

"We have many things to sort out. But tonight, I don't see why not" I say. He walks out the room and I turn to Lucia. I know that's not the true reason for she hates him almost as much as me, so i ask her

"Why are you in viktors room?"

"He knows Nancy. He saw my bible, I'm sure of it. And now it's disappeared. I figured it would be in his room but I didn't have chance to look" Lucia says wiping her eyes

"How could you do this?" I ask trying not to cry

"I don't understand" she says

"You know exactly what I mean. It's because of you that I am here. In this awful country. You could have chosen not to bring me....but no. You wanted to see my brothers hurt so you bring me into a dictatorship" I cry to her. She grabs my hands and looks sternly into my eyes

"I had no choice. I could have used some other innocent child but I didn't. No matter what happened, a young girl was going to face awful consequences and it would be my fault. I'm sorry I brought you into this life of hatred but I wanted this no more than you" she yelled. I hug her immediately realising my mistake

"You know we can't stay here don't you" I said to her leaning against her

"I know my child. We must leave....and fast. There's a trading boat leaving in 2 hours. If we can make it to the Dock, I know a guy why can help us get out of here. But if we get caught-"

"If we get caught, we get killed. I know the risks Lucia. I think of them everytime I see and open window that could lead to freedom. And I contemplate them constantly. But now I'm sure, I'd rather die than live here for a moment longer" she kisses my cheeks and we take a seat on the bed

"Where is the trading boat going? And what is it supplying?" I asked

"Guns I believe. A deal has been made with some gang in England. The are being transported in less than 2 hours so we must hurry. Gather your things but take as little as possible. We'll meet by the walls in half an hour" she says before running off to her room as I stay sat from shock. England.....I'm going back. After all these years, I'll get to see my family. My brothers, ada and aunt pol. But most importantly, i need to see Arthur. The last time I saw him, he had tried to hang himself and he heard me say some unforgivable things