Breaking Barriers

Three More Won't Hurt

Squirt Octus:

Surprisingly, overcrowding was never a very big issue once the Balakovs came. We had enough space for everyone, and no one spilled into the attic, which was likely the absolute worst place to sleep in the whole apartment, even beating Kwazii's room. Why was it so terrible? There was no heating, no cooling; it was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and the lights were faulty and constantly went out for no good reason.

Our current arrangement seemed fine for the time being, until one day on Paani's regular visit, he broke the news to us with a shrewd smirk and worry lines creasing his forehead.

"So, we all know that the Puricians are no better in South America than in North America, correct?" He looked around the table, and all the adults were nodding Paani, "Well, there's a group of 3 that we're thinking of taking in. Is there enough room in this place?" Everyone in the room seemed to freeze but by bit, despite the humid summer night, until the Captain finally spoke,

"The more people away from the Puricians the better, Paani. We can take them in." He turned towards Uncle Inkling, "Can we?"

"I don't see a reason not to." My uncle
seemed hesitant, "But I wonder, I ate we able to spare enough room and food for 3 more people.

"Oh don't fret Inky, they're under the coin-ration plan too." Min chimed in. When the Puricians came into power, they'd brought their own system of currency, which made all of our old money useless. When the war began, they'd decided a new food rationing system was born, hence, they decided to use old coins as meal tickets. The more a coin used to be worth, the more food it's likely to get you.

"In that case, when are they coming?" The Captain asked.

"Next week." Bianca replied nonchalantly. She had just finished work and walked in from the offices below.

"Excellent!" My uncle clapped his tentacles together enthusiastically, "We'll have some time to prepare for our special guests then!"

"What gender?" Aunt Talia asked, and I could already picture the precise calculations she was doing in her mind on how she could accommodate these people.

"Two girls and a boy." Bianca answered, and we all winced. When I said we could all live in this apartment COMFORTABLY, I did not mean we had infinite space to spare. The girls' room was getting rather cramped, and there likely wasn't enough room for two new ladies.

"So what do we do, sleep on top of each other?" Nastya asked sarcastically.

"No, dummkopf." Jane elbowed her in the ribs, despite Nastya being a whole head taller, "We'll sleep on the kitchen table."

"Alright, that's enough, both of you." My uncle pinched the bridge of his nose. I must confess, all 9 of us children have been tormenting him a little more than we probably should.

So what do we do?" Peso asked softly.

"The only thing we can do, dear boy." Inkling sighed, "Wait and see what happens."
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One important thing we forgot: Paani had forgotten to tell us the identity of the people coming, and we had just realized this after he had left for the week. When Paul came, he still wouldn't tell us anything, and so we waited.

We'd all lost track of the days ages ago, so when Paani rapped on our door with the special lock and whispered to the Captain.

"I come with the three packages I promised." An electric thrill shot through all 8 of my tentacles, and I was quivering in suspense. The Captain undid the lock and opened the door to reveal Paani shepherding 3 penguins inside. I thought I'd seen these people before. The man looked taller than most, the younger woman had long black hair that cascaded down her back and was wearing a
pink overcoat, and the older woman had green glasses, a green cardigan, and had a motherly air about her, but it seems Peso and Pinto recognized them before I had.

"Mama! Pogo! Pinata!" Pinto shrieked and launched himself into his older brother's arms.

"Nice to see you too, hermanito." Pogo chuckled and ruffled his little brother's hair.

"Hey! Don't I get some of the action too?" Pinata asked and took Pinto from Pogo's arms like he was a little baby.

"Look at how big you've gotten!" His mother cooed, "Oh, my sweet baby boy's
growing up so fast." Then Pogo's eyes fell onto Peso.

"Come here, champ!" Pogo wrapped Peso in a hug and began giving him noogies. Peso only smiled and cuddled his big brother.

"I've missed you too, Pogo." He giggled. Pinata went over to him, and began prodding Pogo off.

"How've you been, Peso?"

"I've been alright, lately, thank you. How about you?" Peso embraced his sister.

"I've been alright." Pinata shrugged.

"Mijo!" Peso's mother waddled up to him and took his face in her flippers, "Oh look at you mijo, you're so pale! Are you alright? Do you have a fever?"

"Mami." He hugged her, "I'm fine."

"Ok, dearest, if you insist." Peso's mother hugged him tightly and began kissing her baby boy all over, "I'm so happy to see you, both of my baby boys."

I couldn't help but smile at the sweet sight. Those three would make a perfect addition to this zoo of a family we had, and I wasn't alone in my opinion. From behind me, I heard sniffles, and I turned around.

"Kwazii?" I asked, "Are you crying."

"N-no lil matey." His voice sounded slightly strangled, "I'm allergic to dust, that's all it is." I smirked. He was clearly lying, but I couldn't blame him. In this place, it was nice to have a little bit of sweetness, just to remember what we live for, and that life was always beautiful in some way, even under this occupation.