Breaking Barriers

Newest Family

Pinto Pengino:

When Mr. Sheprook, the guy who practically bust into our loft, came back the next morning with his whole face shining in joy, we knew something had to be up.

"Your packages are here!" He joked, "And right on time too! 9 AM sharp!"  We all snickered a bit. Squirt had practically been bursting in excitement for the past week. In fact, he had kept me awake for a good portion of the night talking about his "uncle" and "aunt" as he called them, and especially about this 'Nickie', who had been a good friend of his for many years.

"I bet you'll really like him, Pinto." I remembered him saying. "You and Nickie'll get along great!"

"When are Paani and Bianca coming back?" Squirt asked Mr. Sheprook innocently. Min was visiting Natquik while he was on a mission in Canada at the moment, so she couldn't be here. 5 seconds later, Bianca and Paani carefully twisted the door open, and ushered 7 brown bears into the room. Even though two of the girls were around the Captain's height, they seemed so small, huddled in the doorway, unable to step foot into our little loft.

"Come on now, don't be shy." My brother's more likely to cook you stew than eat you!" Bianca winked at the Captain as she softly nudged a girl around 15 into our loft.

"This is Masha," Bianca pointed to the girl she had dragged in, and moved towards the rest of the family, Ishka, Tatya, Alexei. Natalia, Nastya, and Nikita. Each person either gave a short, tight smile or raised their paw in a half-wave when their name was called. I could feel the fear radiating off of them in shockwaves, and I felt a pang of sympathy for them. They had to leave their home, where everyone wanted them dead, and ended up in a dingy little apartment above a registration office.

Luckily for them, someone knew who they were. Squirt had just appeared at the stairwell, and his expression was like that of a child on Christmas Day.

"Auntie! Uncle!" He still whispered, despite the building being empty cos it was a Sunday Morning. It seemed to be a habit that was ingrained in everyone overtime.

"Hello, Mal'chik." The woman beamed, glided over to Squirt, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, "How are you?" To my surprise, she had no accent.

"I'm wonderful, thanks for asking." Squirt was still form with everyone; some things never change. Then Squirt caught sight of the boy running to him and wrapping him in a bone-crushing, but loving hug.

"Nickie!" Squirt hugged his friend in the same hug.

"Pinto, this is Nickie, Nickie, this is Pinto."

"Hi." I waved and looked down at my feet.

"Pleasure." Nikita sounded out the words slowly through a thick Russian accent, "My family and I are forever grateful to you for letting us stay here."

"Oh, no problem." Squirt slung his tentacle around Nickie's shoulders, "I would've gladly done it however high the risk was. I love you, your mama, your papa and even all your 'annoying' sisters."

Nickie roared with laughter, "That's very true. Thanks for helping us even with my annoying sisters on board."

"You're very welcome." Squirt replied, still chuckling a little.

"Want us to show you yours and your parents' rooms?" I added.

"Sure!" Nickie agreed, and Squirt threw a casual tentacle across both of our shoulders, and together, we walked upstairs, towards a new life with new companions, and a bright future on the horizon like we could touch it. But even the brightest lights have to fade eventually. I just wish this joy could last, but like anything else good under the Puricians' watch, it couldn't last.