We 7 Forever

Chapter 54: Maria

Above: A colored formal picture of Maria 1913

I gaze up into the soldiers eyes, They seem kind. "What is the meaning of this?" Dr Botkin asks next to me and the soldier shifts his gun to him giving me a chance to get up and try to run, I feel horrible, But without me they have no reason to hurt him. And I can't get shot either, Bullets ring out, I can feel the one hit my thigh as I bang on the door I run as fast as I can, I've never been fast but I'm strong, Stronger then my sisters. I feel the soldiers arms wrap around my waist and tackle me to the ground with a thud, I remember when I first wore high heels and fell down. Everyone laughed at me and it was humiliating even though I laughed along with it. I struggle to get up under his weight, Even though I'm strong I can't get up out from under him. "Shhhh little Kiska, What are you running for?" His voice is like soothing honey, And a blush rises in my cheeks, It reminds me of the sailors on the standart or the soldiers during the war. Maybe if he likes me he won't hurt me, He gets off me and extends his hand and helps me up. I don't see the symbol of the soviet on his hat, He is a white! I can trust him! They were on our way to save it, When it, When it happened. "Because I need to get somewhere." My hand moves off the bracelet Mama gave us, We never took it off. He looks down at it then back up at me "Down the river I assume?" He looks into my saucer eyes as Papa called them with his striking ones, He should come with us, It'll be good to have protection, I find myself thinking irrationally. "You would escort us?" I ask softly, A blush rising in my cheeks, He is very handsome, But I don't know what kind of person he is yet. "Grand Duchess, I have duties in the army." He says respectfully as a mixture of anxious and excitement rises up in my chest, He can protect me, He knows me, They always said that I was the kindest, I don't think that's true. What good is it to be evil or mean? On the anxious side, What if someone heard? Or he was corrupted like so many people were. Mama tried to hide it when my darling sisters were sick with measles and Olishka and Tatya knew what was going on from the newspapers in the hospitals. "Grand Duchess?" I meet his eyes, "Your highness, Do not worry I will not put you in danger, I was only teasing, Let me see if I can take leave, I am loyal." He kisses my cheek and butterflies form in my stomach, I've never kissed a boy or a man before, A real kiss. I always wished to do so. I watch as he goes and talks to an officer as I mull things over in my head. "What's your name?" I ask as he takes my hand and helps me into the carriage, "Sasha Kozlov."

We get to the port a few hours later, I have a wonderful time talking with Sasha, He calls me Kiska, Kitten. Because he has heard so innocent and sweet people have said I am. I know this is not true, I remember how many times I've gotten mad at Mama or Nastya especially on my cycle. "Pull your headdress down." Sasha says as he helps me get out of the carriage, Dr Botkin following close to me, As we stand at the ticket booth I see a carriage racing, I get a glimpse of a shaven man and a woman in a wheelchair.