The Black Widow

Viktor Alinovich

"That's not possible." I can't possibly have a brother. My parents died in a fire, Ivan took me in even if I had a brother and he didn't die in that fire Ivan would have taken him in too. Or he would have at least told me. 

"I hardly even got to see you when you were born... I was six... then I didn't care." He smiles and nervously shoves his hands in his pockets. He takes a step forward and then back again like he can't decide what the appropriate action would be. This man is obviously delusional. 

"I was born in 1924 you can't be more then 30." I shouldn't have told him that. I am not supposed to tell anyone. I suppose it isn't a huge deal. He already seems crazy and who would believe him anyway.

"Well you can't be older then 21." He laughs and I glare, "Sorry but I was born in 1918 after the fire I was hysterical. They didn't know if they would be able to use me or not."

 "Use... for what?" I can't seem to speak properly, my throat feels like it's closing up. I try to speak normally but I feel like he sees right through that.

"Natalia... what do you think?" He has to be lying. But for some reason I don't believe he is. None of the usual markers there. I have great instincts. Why is every bone in my body telling me to trust him?

"I don't know what to think."

"Of course they wouldn't have told you," He sighs, "the only reason you were born was because I turned out perfect... mostly... I have a condition."

I immediately become suspicious, "What kind of conditions."

He shakes his head, "Doesn't matter... they had me in ice for the longest time... then they woke me up. I escaped and found you. That's what matters."

He is deflecting, "How did you escape?"

"Natalia I'm here!"

More deflection. "How did you escape the burning hospital?"

He gestures to his face, "Does it look like I escaped? I wasn't with our parents. I was supposed to stay close but somehow I ended up on the first floor. I was evacuated."

"I don't believe you. You could have got this information anywhere." I do ant to believe him. Every orphan wants to believe they have  family out there. Of course Ivan will always be my family but this would be different. 

He looks shocked. Hurt. I turn around and start to leave. I should never have followed him up here.

"Natalia wait!" He calls. I consider going home. Never seeing him again but I don't think I will ever forgive myself because there will always be a chance, a chance that he is my real brother.

"What?" I snap.

"I can get you our Mother's diary."

Is that something I want? To read the thoughts of my mother up to the day she dies. To know her in that way would be amazing but this could easily be a trick. He could still be trying to deceive me."Why should I believe you?"

"Ask Ivan," He seems pleased with himself for coming up with that, "he will be able to tell you if it's hers or not."

"Why don't I just ask him about you? He was with my Parents all throughout my mothers pregnancy. If you were six he would have known you."

He sighs, "our Parents Natalia."

"Stop deflecting."

"He thinks I am dead. Very few know I am alive and I want to keep it that way. It makes life... easier."

I suppose it's understandable. He could be telling the truth. I study his face again for any sign that he might be lying. He appears to be telling the truth. This all seems so weird though. So... not right. I just can't find any evidence that something is wrong.