We 7 Forever

Chapter 48: Anastasia

Above: Anastasia and Olga taking a silly photo

The man hits the floor hard after I swing and I don't miss a minute getting out of there. I race down the stairs and I can hear him coming after me, What does he want from me? Who even is he? I didn't get to see his face that well, I race out into the street "Wait! Please!" He calls after me, His voice seems harmless but I don't recognize it, I can't let him get me, I duck into a street corner out of breathe, Thank God I always ran around as a child and I could outrun him. The soldiers used to say I stumbled around like a squirrel, I was always so wild, But now I worry that side of me is gone. After everything I've seen and that man who looked like Papa kissing that woman. It's probably just propaganda from the monarchists. Don't they get it? Papa didn't want to be Tsar I don't think, We were happy even when were under arrest at Tsarskoe Selo. Working in the vegetable garden even if it was boring day in and out all the same. I peek out around the corner to see if the man is still there, I don't see anyone and I step back out of the alley and start walking back to boarding house when I feel a pair of arms wrap around my waist and lift me off the ground "LET ME GO!" I start screaming and start kicking trying to kick him in the crotch. "Calm down." It's the same man, He can't take me I won't let him, He puts his hand over my mouth and I clamp down on it as hard as I can. It's not the worst I've done, One time I through a snowball with a rock at Tatyanas head, It was hilarious. Such simpler times, At least now I have freedom. He takes his hand away from my mouth but keeps one arm around my waist so I can't run "What was was that for?" He asks and I turn around and look at him, His eyes seem kind, Like Alyoshas just not as full of pain. "What do you want from me? Who even are you?" I say spitefully, I just want to get home to Crimea with Grandmama "You we're in my room and attacked me!" He sucks on his hand where I But it "Who am I? Who are you?" He raises his eyebrows, He's a trickster too then, Just like me or used to be "Very funny, What do you want from me?" I narrow my eyes at him giving my face a funny look and he laughs "I'm Dima Andreev. Nice to meet you." He gives my hand a hearty handshake and I race off in the opposite direction straight to the customs office, I've got almost enough money. I don't care if it's late I'm going, I rush into the office right before closing "One Ticket to Crimea." I pour out all my money on the counter but he just laughs "Crimea? You'll have to go through France and Then the Mediterranean." Dang it! I'll have to work at every stop to save up more "Then a ticket to France." I say as he starts counting the money "This isn't enough." He looks at me with his beady eyes, Like that bastard Yurovsky "It's not? That's too bad." I lean over the counter pretending to look at the money but snatch the ticket and run out the door, I leave tomorrow and then I'll be on my way home.