Our Flame

xvii

NADIA

"Mama what happens when you die?" Nine year old me curiously asks. My mother looks at me. "Why are you so curious today?"

I shrug, "I just want to know, mama." She sighs. "Anything can happen when you die, маленький. No one ever knows until it happens.."  (little one.)

I nod and think, "So it's a mystery?" I say. Mama gives me a soft smile and nods. "As of now, yes."

Then I frown, "But life just continues on without people? That's not fair."

"Life will always continue, Nadia. It is sad but it's also the way things go." Mama explains. "I'd never continue without you Mama, it wouldn't be right."

This time Mama gives me a sad smile, "You'll have no choice Nadia, you have to live." I pout at her response.

"Your life should never stop for one person."

"But I'll be alone and no one wants to live alone." I add. She shakes her head, "You'll never be alone, even after I'm gone." she assures.

"I'd still watch over you, but the only difference is- you won't see me."

"And you will always have your brothers, even in death they will be by your side.."

She was so right.

I gasp for air as I open my eyes looking around me, more specifically at the pieces of rubble surrounding me.

There's no saving the house this time.

I wince standing up ignoring the pain in my head, I'm not sure how hard I fell but I know that I need to help my brothers.

I gulp seeing all the debris circled around the kitchen where we were all just laughing until him, he ruined it.

And we all let him.

We let him walk in here, we let him speak to us like he hasn't traumatized all of us most importantly like he didn't take our mom from us.

We played right into his plan.

"Vadim." I croak out seeing him on the ground, "Wake up." I lightly slap his face. "Please wake up." I mumble.

I want to cry, I want to sleep, I want to fight but all I can do right now is wonder how we'll make it out.

Deciding to stop lightly slapping him, I send a swift slap to his cheek causing his eyes to open. I let out a sigh of relief looking down at him.

One down five more to go.

"I'm so scared Vadim." I admit.

He groans sitting up, "Nadia we're going to get out of here. We'll all be okay, I'll make sure of it." Vadim assures. "And I'm sorry I didn't let you take the shot."

"We'll get him, I know it." I nod my head. "Come on." I say after a moment. I hold out my hand, helping him up. I then notice all the marks on my arm and same with his.

"Are you hurt?" We both ask each other.

Vadim lets out a small chuckle shaking his head, "I'm just tired Vadim." I complain.