Edge of Night

Escape

Winter 1942

Irina Alexeyev grabbed her bag and peeked around. Thankfully, she saw no one in sight. When she heard of the graduation ceremony she'd be forced to endure, she began plotting her escape. She'd played her part, letting those in charge assume she was a willing participant, but all the while she'd been planning how she'd get out of the place she called Ad, or Hell.

She snuck out and made her way to the train station as quickly as humanly possible.

As soon as the train came, she boarded.

The train soon came to a screeching halt and she took on her next task of boarding a ship bound for America. When she was a child, she'd always wanted to visit New York, and she figured now was as good a time as any. Thankfully, due to her lessons and training, she knew enough English to get by.

Days later, she arrived at Ellis Island. She managed to evade being checked, as she wanted to be under the radar as much as possible. She offered false papers she'd written up and was let through.

She strolled around, looking at the new sites before her. Hours later, her feet throbbed and she sat, shivering. Her worn fleece sweater did nothing to keep out the chill.

Two men walked past her and the smaller of the two stopped and walked back to her.

"You lost?" the blond man asked.

Irina shook her head. "No, I'm not lost."

The brunet man tilted his head. "Where you from, doll?"

"Far away." Her teeth began chattering and she clenched her teeth together, trying to stop the sound.

The brunet man offered his hand. "Let's get you somewhere warmer."

Irina held out a shaky hand and took his, nearly stumbling on the icy patch in front of her.

The man caught her, then removed his hands. He took off his jacket and draped it around her. "What's your name?"

"Irina," she stammered, still chattering. "Call me... Rina."

The brunet man smiled. "Nice to meet you, Rina. I'm Bucky." He held out a hand to the blond boy. "That's Steve. Let's get you warmed up, huh?"

Irina glanced down. "Oh you don't- That won't be necessary."

Steve glanced at her. "It's the middle of winter and all you have is that tattered sweater."

"I have no money. I spent it all on travels."

Bucky smiled. "I got you covered." He shoved Steve playfully. "I already have to look after this idiot. What's one more person to take care of."

Irina smiled briefly. "Thank you. You're both too kind."

Together, the three walked away. Life seemed to be kind enough to them, but little did they know that fate would not be kind to any member of the new trio.