Revival

Chapter Two Nina

I knock three times then stop for a second, then knock two more times. I fidget nervously while waiting for the door to open. I hear some movement, steps getting closer and closer to the door. I look around the narrow hallway, not because I'm afraid, but because it's a habit of mine to get in and out unseen. The locks open one by one, the bottom one makes a quick noise of metal sliding over metal, next a key turns twice, then comes the chain, and then the squawk of the upper bolt.

The door opens and I get in and search the room for the little person I was missing terribly the whole day. I scan the small play area designed just for her, it's already been cleaned up and organized. My eyes move slowly around the small space that combines the kitchen with the living room, and they land on the couch where the big blond halo of curls is sleeping. I come closer and lean over to give her a kiss, a kiss that I was craving the whole day. Moments like this keep me going, they keep me going forward.

"Gran, are you feeding her chocolate all the time?" I ask while wiping her sweet mouth that is coated in brown sugary sweetness. "You can't do that, she needs regular food once in a while."

Grandma waves her hand in the air as if trying to make me go away "Ohhh please, I did the same thing with you and look at you, you turned out just fine."

I smile at that, what can I say? I did turn out all right after all. When I recall those sweet moments when she was feeding me sweets and nothing but sweets, I can't keep my face straight, those were the happiest memories of my life.

"You don't mean those years of dieting, do you? I still have a few pounds to loose and they seem stuck to me; like they depend on me." I grab the fold on my stomach and she twists her face in a disapproving expression.

"Stop cursing child, you are perfect and there are far worse things people need to worry about, just stop." She moves to the kitchen and takes out the container of soup from the fridge. "I made chicken soup, just heat it up and you will have dinner ready in no time."

"Thank you Gran, you are the best." I take the soup and place it carefully in my oversized bag, smiling at her, grateful that she takes care of us like that.

"Damn right I'm the best, so don't you dare accuse me of not feeding my only great granddaughter properly."

"Yes you are." I bring her little body into a gentle hug. She is so tiny that I'm afraid if I show her how much I really love her, I might break her. I take a minute to drink in the comfort of her arms, smelling the familiar scent of her powder and chicken soup. Always comforting. Always makes me feel safe.

"Ok, get that little creature off my couch so I can watch my show." She pushes me off gently. I turn around and walk to the sofa where my little angel is sleeping.

She is an angel. Her bright, blond halo of curls falls around her face, sticking to the chocolate covered mouth. Her long lashes rest peacefully on her slightly pink cheeks. How did I manage to create such perfection? I ask myself that question every day and I remind myself that I am, in fact lucky, no matter what that stupid life is trying to throw at me.

"See you tomorrow," I whisper over my shoulder while heading to the door.

"Goodnight child," Gran is standing behind me, patting me on my back. "Goodnight."

I walk out the door and head for a short flight of stairs, eight to be exact. The reason I know how many steps my stairway has is something I would like to forget, but every time I walk those eight steps the memory flashes before my eyes.

Punch.

Step back.

Punch.

Another step back.