The Sleepless Priest

Monday, September 29,2026 5:27am

The rain had turned from a muggy downpour to a cool drizzle, the thunder still rolled in the distance. I sat on the cold wooden stool at the empty table as my coffee brewed. I slowly rose and made my way toward the mug, as I collected my foggy morning thoughts.

 I finished my coffee and made my way from home to the train station. The cool mist embracing me and everything else as we passed through it. I peered up at the sea of grey clouds. They say grey clouds have silver linings, but these clouds don’t appear to be good times disguised as bad. No, these clouds are an omen of something terrible that’s going to happen. I shifted my view back to the neighborhood street, lined with cracks and crevices.

I pushed my way through the station, barely making it to my train in time. I looked around and the only seat available was next to an insipid looking man that was tedious jotting down notes in three different books. Despite the man’s bland appearance, he looked almost welcoming. I made my way over to the seat just as the train began moving. My presence in his personal space seemed to surprise him because he recoiled away from me, dropping all three of his books, when I sat next to him.

“I’m sorry I startled you.” I said apologetically, as I leant over to pick up his books. Though, I was only able to grab one as he shot down and snatched the other two before I had a chance.

“No, no, it's quite alright. I was just too absorbed in my work.” He answered back sheepishly.

He had a slight accent, but I couldn’t tell where from. For as bland as he seemed. He was rather attractive, though I suppose that was the good thing about being from a small town, everyone knew everyone, and the weirdos and newbies stuck out like a sore thumb.

“Are you from Marlborough?” I asked inquisitively.

He chuckled slightly before replying,
“No, I’m only here for business. I’m actually staying with an old colleague of mine that lives a short ways out of Marlborough.”

 “I see. So, what is it you do?” I figure I may as well annoy him a bit more. He smiled at me, almost a bit too excitedly.

“I’m a research assistant in a Medical Experiment Facility in Russia.” I felt my face scrunch with confusion.

“Medical Experiments? Do you mean like the experiments the Nazis used to perform?” I asked, concerningly.

“No, we don’t do anything inhumane like they did. We simply test what medicines affect what diseases. The lab is in Russia because of the consistent cold temperatures.” I nodded as if I understood why the temperature mattered, but instead of asking that I decided to change the subject.

“So, I assume you speak Russian?”
He simply nodded, “Do you speak any?”

“No, Unfortunately I never was able to learn. So, All I have is my Russian last name.”

He glanced at me, raising an eyebrow “Which is?”

 “Popov. Natasha Popov.”  I answered with a smile, hinting at the corner of my lips.

He gave me a sickly-sweet smile, “Well Ms. Popov, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Pavel Volkov.”

After a share of pleasantries, Mr. Volkov asked, “Are you aware that your last name means priest?”

“Honestly, no I was not aware.” I replied, intrigued. I had family that spoke Russian, but I have never heard the meaning of my family's name until now.
Before either of us could respond, it was announced that we were pulling into Paddington Station.