against time.

ZERO || a family divided

PROLOGUE, a family divided

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

OHIO, 1995

The sounds of lawnmowers and children squealing and laughing filled the streets of a small town in Ohio. Two young blondes played on a swing set in a backyard, and it didn't take long for them to hear a whistle from their sister, Natasha. They whistled in response and Yelena, the youngest of all three, ran from the swings to do a back bend. Natasha joined her, the pair laughing while the third sister, Ivanna, continued playing on the swing set.

"We're both upside down," Yelena could be heard saying.

The response was Natasha giggling, "And I bet you'll fall first."

"No, you will," Yelena countered with childlike glee.

Eleven-year-old Ivanna stopped playing on the swing, watching her sister and playing with her blonde hair. Natasha and Yelena continued teasing each other, and when Yelena fell they took off running and having fun with each other. Until Yelena tripped.

"Mommy!" The youngest blonde shouted for their mother and Natasha and Ivanna instantly joined their sister, hugging her and asking if she was alright.

Yelena sobbed, the sisters sitting on the ground beside one another until their mother joined them in the yard. She took a look at her youngest daughter and looked between the older two.

"What happened?" Melina asked softly, crouching in front of Yelena. Yelena crawled to their mother while Natasha spoke up.

"She fell on her knee,"

"Oh, you bump your knee?" Melina asked softly, taking in Yelena and looking at her injuries as the little blonde hummed to confirm what had been asked. Natasha stood back up, taking Ivanna alongside her to return to the swing set while Melina checked on Yelena. Ivanna returned to her swing, watching as Melina helped Yelena to her feet, "You're a brave girl. Pain only makes you stronger. Right, you?"

Melina leaned against the swing set with one hand, the other holding Yelena's as she watched Natasha sit on a swing and begin going back and forth on it.

"Look!" Yelena shouted, grabbing the attention of the other three in the yard with them, "Forest stars."

"Yeah, you know what?" Melina looked around, a small smile on her face, "Those are part of the Lampyridae family. And the flow, the glow that you see, that comes from a chemical reaction called...bioluminescence."

Melina whispered the last word, making Yelena smile while Ivanna and Natasha laughed. The elder two watched the glowing bugs while Melina took Yelena's hand once more, "Come on. Time for dinner."

They all filed inside, Yelena trying to pronounce the new word Melina had taught them. Melina had the girls help set the table, everyone taking their seats as a banging echoed through the home. Their father was home. Alexei was silent, walking through the home with a beer and staring out the window.

Melina caught on to her husband's distress, "Are you okay?"

Her question was ignored and he turned to face the girls, "How was everyone's day?"