EGOSON N.R

Six

August 1995, Ohio

Marcus and Natasha rode their bikes together through the neighborhood and back to her house in the backyard.

When they get back they see Yelena swinging on the playset, Natasha whistles their secret only they and Marcus knew. Yelena gets up and does a backbend and Natasha copies. "I can't do that, that's not fair" Marcus points out but they both ignore him. ",We're both upside down" Yelena says. "And I bet your gonna fall down first" Natasha challenges.

"No you" Yelena babbles, Natasha makes a silly face at her and she falls down "I told you" She gets up and starts running around with Yelena chasing her "I told you!" Yelena trips and falls hitting her knee on the dirt and sticks. She cries out "mommy!" Both Natasha and Marcus rush over to her. She pushes Natasha away but let's Marcus get closer "Hey hey, your okay. Just focus on me yeah?" She nods and Melina comes out watching the interaction.

"What happened?" She asks kneeling down. "She fell on her knee" Natasha replies dragging Marcus to the playset. "Oh you bumped your knee?" She says cooing and shushing Yelena "Your okay, get up. Pain only makes you stronger right guys?" She asks. "Yup" "of course" they reply.

Marcus pushes Natasha on the swing and Yelena notices sparkles in the trees "Look! Forest stars" She says and Marcus chuckles "Yeah you know what? Those are actual part of the lampyridae family and the glow that you see comes from a chemical reaction called biolumenescense" Melina says guiding the three kids to the trees "Woah" Yelena says in astonishment.

Natasha admires the stars with Marcus standing next to her admiring her. "Come on, it's time for dinner. You can stay for dinner Marc" Melina says taking Yelena into the house. "Dinner! Come on dinner guys!" She yells to get their attention. The two walk in the house "I'll be right back I'm going to change really quick" Marcus says leaving the house.

He rides his bike back to his house and puts on more comfortable clothing. When he gets back to Natasha's house he sees them packing up and getting in the car bit only Natasha is hesitant when she sees him. She looks back at her family but runs to him "Where are you going?" No answer "Sunshine" She opens her eyes "I have to go. Trust me I don't want to leave you, just...thank you for these amazing years" She turns around tears forming. Alexei looks at her waving for her to come back.

She walks back to the car but stops and runs back into Marcus' arms sobbing "I'm so sorry" She says and Marcus was speechless "I love you, never forget that" She says kissing his cheek "I love you too" He says and she turns around running back to the car. Marcus watches as the car pulls off and Yelena waving at him. He stands there, tears, and eventually falling to his knees punching the ground. Only this time she wasn't here to pick him up.

He finds the confidence to walk to the front door to see if it was unlocked. It was. He walked through the house and to Natasha's room picking up the pictures of the memories they had together.

He walks back to his house. Focus not on. The only thing he cared about left his life. So he returns to his research of life, astronomy, and his brother once again.

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