A new leaf

Chapter 8 - Another place that I hate

Crowd of people was increasing. A sound of coming ambulance and awarness that probably dead person was lying at the feet of pedestrians was chilling Nina to the bone. She realised how irrational it was. She came with Melovin to meet Ihor and now they both were sitting at the car, not able to drive away and neither go out.

- Let's go - She mumbled.

- No. We should stay here and wait for police.

Nina shaked her head and let go of Melovin's hand.

- No way! Drive. Let's go back home.

- Nina.. -Melovin's voice sounded weak for a first time. He looked at her without his natural spark in eyes - They shot him. I've seen it.

She was close to crying but something was clenching around her throat, making her feel numb.

- You should never go with me - She whispered with effort- No.. I should listen to you and don't go here.

- How could you know?

He leaned and looked by window at the other side of street. Paramedics stood up and one of them took a phone and called someone. Nina moved nervously on her seat after noticing sudden agitation between crowd. Her intuition was telling her it was a very bad sign.

- Nobody will know that we were here. Nobody will ask. Let's go home..

- Are you crazy?!- Melovin screamed and grabbed Nina's wrist when she tried to turn a key in ignition - We need to go to police station. He texted you before. They will find out anyway.

That's when she noticed that he was as stressed as her. She panicked, not thinking straight and  he couldn't control excess of emotions.

- Fine. I'll talk to police - She said and gulped, seeing black bag on a sidewalk - But now drive before someone recognizes you and calls press. It's not smart to stay here.

Before Nina looked away and closed her eyes, exhaling heavily, Melovin met her concerned gaze. Was she worried about him more than herself? He wanted to comfort her but he did this when he wasn't focused on driving and they stopped in front of the closest station.

- I'll bring something for you - He said, carresing her cheek - Do you want some coffe? 

- I want to disappear - Nina whispered, covering her face. 

- I'll be back - He said, patting her arm. He didn't really knew what words were right in such situation so he went to store in silence. Nina was too deep in thought to estimate how long time it took him. But when he put a cup of coffe and some sandwich in front of her, she grabbed his neck and hugged him tightly. 

- I'm scared - She said. Melovin stroked her back. If she was just safe like she was in that moment.. She might be shot as well if she met Ihor few seconds earlier. He didn't know when he started to worry so much about this girl but thinking about her being shot was terrifying. 

- I'm here - He whispered.

***

She heard a laugh from a living room. Nina put her bags down on a floor and stopped in the aisle.There wasn't even a need to open a door that widely to see everything. Mother was sitting on a couch, holding a glass of whiskey with her legs on man's knees. When man noticed that his companion got silent, he turned his head with surprise. And that's how Nina met Ihor for the first time.

- You're back? I thought you're coming back tomorrow - Mother said and stood up on shaky legs.

- Are you having, fun? - Nina asked, looking with hostility at Ihor.