Miracles | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

part seven

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the bustling streets of Kiev as Mila and Leo loaded up their cart for the next leg of their journey. The final supplies—food, water, and fresh clothing—were packed tightly among their few personal belongings. Mila double-checked her easel and paints, gently wrapping her sketchbook as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Leo was silent, focused on preparing the horses, though Mila could tell his mind was already racing ahead to Poland, to the path that would take them further south.

"Ready?" Leo asked, finally turning to her.

Mila nodded, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be."

They set off, the wooden wheels of the cart creaking as they made their way through the narrow streets. The energy of Kiev, so vibrant the day before, now felt quieter, more somber. Mila's thoughts were already drifting toward the lands beyond Poland—the Ottoman Empire. She wondered what awaited them there, what adventures or dangers they might face. But for now, all she could do was focus on the road ahead.

As they passed through one of the poorer parts of the city, Mila noticed a group of beggars huddled near the side of the road. Their faces were gaunt, their clothes tattered. One woman, in particular, caught her eye—a middle-aged woman with hollow cheeks and sorrowful eyes. She clutched a small bundle of rags, holding it close to her chest as if it were the last thing she had in the world.

"Leo, wait," Mila said softly, her hand gently tugging at his sleeve.

They stopped the cart near the beggars, and Mila hopped down, her heart heavy as she approached the woman. The others around her murmured, but the woman stayed silent, staring up at Mila with eyes that seemed to hold a lifetime of pain.

"Are you alright, matinko?" Mila asked softly, using the Ukrainian term for "mother."

The woman shook her head slowly, her lips quivering as she spoke. "I lost her. My daughter... she was taken by the Tatars, just like the others. Sold into slavery. She's... gone."

Mila's breath caught in her throat. Another one, just like Alexandra. Another girl ripped from her home and sold into a life of unimaginable hardship. The pain in the woman's voice mirrored everything Mila had seen in Leo's eyes since the day Alexandra was taken.

Leo, who had been listening from the cart, jumped down to join them. His face was pale, his hands clenched at his sides. "What's her name?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Anna," the woman replied, her voice cracking. "My sweet Anna. She was only sixteen when they took her."

Mila felt her heart tighten. "We're headed south... to the Ottoman Empire," she said, glancing at Leo before turning back to the woman. "We'll look for her. We'll try to bring her back."

The woman's eyes filled with tears as she reached out to grab Mila's hands, her grip surprisingly strong. "Bless you, child. Bless you both. If you find her... tell her her mother still waits for her."

Mila nodded, feeling a lump rise in her throat. "We will. I promise."

Leo placed a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder before stepping back. "We'll do everything we can," he assured her.

As they turned to leave, Mila couldn't shake the heaviness in her chest. Another lost girl. Another reminder of the cruelty that had shattered so many lives. She climbed back into the cart beside Leo, who remained quiet as they set off once more, the image of the grieving mother lingering in both their minds.

"Another girl," Mila whispered, her fingers brushing against the edge of her sketchbook. "Just like Alexandra."

Leo didn't respond at first, but after a long pause, he muttered, "If we can bring even one of them home, it'll be worth it."

Mila nodded in agreement, her resolve hardening. "We'll find her, Leo. And we'll find Alexandra too."

The road stretched out before them, endless and uncertain. But Mila knew one thing for sure—there was no turning back now.

As they passed the last houses of Kiev, Mila glanced over her shoulder at the city slowly disappearing behind them. "I won't forget Anna," she whispered, her mind already racing with the promise she had made.