Just You and Me

KAIA

We were a mess, covered head to toe in mud and grime from the tunnels. We trudged through the quaint buildings of Lipeshin, our small village, aiming for the safety of our cottage.

Lipeshin was a tiny, rural place, home to maybe a thousand souls, kids included. It had one of everything, even a school that my sister Irina and I had attended since we were old enough. But small didn’t equate to friendly.

People mostly kept to themselves. Akim’s men would make their rounds, ensuring everything was in order and that the affairs of the Rostov estate remained unspoken in the village. But I’d heard the whispers since I was a child.

About young boys and girls being taken to the estate. About mysterious cars driving up the long driveway for some sort of auction. Those were the days when Mom would insist we stay hidden, not leaving the cottage until the auctions were over.

As I grew up, I started to investigate. I knew exactly what Akim Rostov was up to, and I was determined to put a stop to it.

The villagers gave us a wide berth as we walked by, their disapproving glances making it clear what they thought of our disheveled appearance and gloomy expressions.

“Kaia,” a gentle voice called my name.

I turned to see Mara, the elderly woman who owned the local store, pausing her sweeping to address me.

“Mara.” I approached her, noticing my hands trembling as she took them in her frail ones.

I first met Mara two years ago when Mom sent me to buy fabric for a dress she was making for Irina. I had been intrigued by the computer behind the counter, and Mara had noticed.

She didn’t like the machine, set up by her grandson, and asked if I knew how to use it. I’d been teaching myself to code at the library, so I shrugged nonchalantly.

We struck a deal: I’d help her with her bookkeeping a few hours a week, and she’d let me use her computer whenever I wanted. It was a win-win.

I had more privacy than at the library, and I discovered my talent for hacking. I joined groups on the dark web, honed my skills, and took small jobs for money. All the while, I was biding my time, planning to get Mom and Irina out of Lipeshin and away from our father. To a place where we could finally be free.

“You can’t go back home, child,” Mara’s voice was raspy. “There’s a war happening up there.”

Gunfire echoed in the distance, and we instinctively looked toward the hill where smoke was billowing into the sky.

“We have to!” Irina protested. “Mama—”

“Hush, child. Your mama is likely gone,” Mara’s voice was devoid of sympathy, just acceptance.

Irina’s mouth snapped shut, her lips trembling as fresh tears welled in her eyes.

I studied Mara. ~Really~ studied her.

“You know what’s happening.” It wasn’t a question. I withdrew my hands from hers, watching as her lips tightened.

Mara ushered us inside the store, and I pulled Irina along with me. Mara disappeared behind the counter, returning to hand me a small cloth bundle. Inside was more money than I’d ever seen.

I looked up at her, ready to refuse.

“Mara, I can’t—”

“Go to the station, take the train east to the docks,” she instructed hurriedly. “Find a ship called the Zula. Ask for Melor. Tell him I sent you. He’ll know what to do.”

This was our chance. Our opportunity to escape this place. To get away from ~him~. I had money saved in a secret account, but there was no time to access it.

Looking at the bills in my hand, I felt torn by the decision I was being forced to make. We couldn’t leave Mom. Unless Mara was right, and she was already gone.

We watched as trucks filled with armed men sped through the village, heading toward the hill. We didn’t have time to find Mom.

Decision made, I nodded to Mara. I grabbed Irina’s wrist, pulling her toward the door.

“Irina, we need to go,” I urged her.

But she resisted, her body tensing up.

“No! Kaia, no!” she cried out, her voice echoing with desperation. “I can’t leave Mama behind.”

Another explosion sounded, the ground trembling beneath us.

Irina gasped, her small body jumping into my arms. I gently stroked her hair, trying to soothe her.

“We’re running out of time,” I whispered to her.

Her face crumbled, tears streaming down her cheeks, but she nodded in agreement.

***

After Mara provided us with fresh clothes, we embarked on our journey. It took us nearly an hour to reach the train station.

I purchased our tickets and the most affordable food I could find, unsure of how much money we would need for our new life.

Irina, exhausted from the ordeal, fell asleep as soon as the train started moving. I, however, couldn’t afford the luxury of tears. Not yet. Not until I was certain we were safe.

I kept my eyes wide open throughout the five-hour train ride. By the time we reached the docks, it was the crack of dawn, and I was battling the urge to sleep.

I draped a shawl over my head and did the same for Irina. We blended into the crowd, looking like a mother and her child as we navigated our way toward the sea.

Our destination, the Zula, was a massive cargo ship bound for America. I asked a dockhand for Melor, and he pointed me toward a burly old man checking off crates from a clipboard a few feet away.

As I approached him, I noticed his eyes narrowing on Irina before meeting mine. I mentioned Mara’s name, and his expression softened.

After a quick scan of our surroundings, he led us up a gangplank and toward the back of the ship. He ushered us into a small, windowless cabin filled with fishing gear and instructed us to stay put.

I lost track of time in that cramped space. It could have been weeks. Maybe even months. Our days blurred together as Melor occasionally snuck us fruit, bread, and cheese.

When we finally emerged into the sunlight, we were in America.