A Soviet's Struggle

Де́вять

Mariya's eyes opened - a new day. Her vision was fuzzy, trying to focus on the wall next to her. She sniffled and shifted in her bed - facing the other side of the alleyway. Silsina had returned, sleeping soundly - exhausted. She sat up, rubbing her neck. The noises of city life creeping into her ears. She opened her eyes fully, facing the dark alleyway in front of her, the entrance to their alleyway behind her, and got up. She looked around, noticing the Knapsack from last night laying against the wall. Walking up to it and bending over, she slung it over her back - intending on going to the community showers.

She stepped onto the sidewalk filled with busy animalloids. Many going around her - others shoving into her. She'd be called names - which she didn't care much for. Cars raced up and down the street next to her - honking and creating that "swish" sound when they drove by. She kept silent, focused on the showers.

Waiting at a crosswalk, A woman walked up to her and tapped the Russian's shoulder, making her jump. "My apologies." She stated, Mariya whipping around. "I've heard that you do portraits."

The Masked Russian nodded, looking at the woman. "Names' Amy. I wanted to make a request."

The crosswalk light came on, allowing animalloids to pass - Mariya and Amy walking together. "What request?" Mariya suggested, nodding her head and looking at the Fire Ant - who was shorter than her, but not by much. "A friend of mine gave birth to her son a few days ago. I wanted to give her a portrait of her and her newborn son."

Mariya nodded again, listening to the Fire Ant.

"I was wondering if you could do it for me. I'd pay you generously!" Amy glanced at her, the Russian crossing her arms.

Mariya shrugged, recalling the one portrait of someone's dog that she still needed to finish - a large, 120 Euro investment. Amy frowned with the limited muscles in her face, "Oh. Well, maybe you can write to me?" She pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil and wrote her address, handing it to the Hybrid and leaving - vanishing into the crowd. Mariya stood there, looking at the paper; being shoved. There it was: "70865 n. G-wing rd. Baldhardt Uni."

'You've got to be kidding me.' She thought, beginning to walk again. 'By Wolf, help me.'

She walked for another 10 minutes - finally reaching the showers. She entered the building, requesting a locker and paying up front. Shoving the paper in her bag, she put the bag in her locker and locked it. Next, the Russian made way for a towel and a hamper to put her clothes in and have them washed. She walked to a shower, undressed, and stepped in. The shower's warm water pattered against her fur, dripping down her back once damp. She grabbed the soap and began to wash her body, cherishing the shower she needed so badly.

Time ticked, time in the shower turned from a 15 minute shower to a 45 minute one. Someone, who Mariya assumed was an employee, banged on the door - telling her to get out. This scared the Russian - who jumped, hairs standing up.

"You're 30 minutes over!" The voice shouted, "You are going to get a fine!"

Mariya grunted, turning off the water. She heard the steps of the employee leave from behind the door. The Hybrid took a deep breath, reaching for her towel - to find it not where she left it. Mariya figured that it fell while she was in the shower, so she bent down (still in the shower), and felt around the floor - nothing.

'That's odd.' The Young Russian thought, standing up - feeling the towel brush against her arm. Feeling this, she grabbed it - not thinking too much about it. She then began to dry off, wrapping the towel around her body - chest down - and pulling the curtains back. In front of her face, stood her ghostly guardian; Alyosha.

She jumped again, walking backwards and hitting her head against the wall of the shower. Alyosha, surprised, made a ghostly laugh that filled the room: "What? Did I scare you?" He said whilst looking at the petrified Mariya and handing her the Gasmask.