We Are A Family (A USSR FAM FIC)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15 

  Being in the hospital is boring. 

  I started to feel much better after some real food and rest, but the nurses didn't want to let me and my siblings go on the account that my dad was still here. 

  Dad came around a day after I did and the doctors said it was fine for my siblings to go see them but they wanted me to rest more. Bela was really concerned about Dad, and I knew Kazi was curious so I made Ukraine take them. Ukraine didn't go in though, he waited at the door, which was fair now that I knew the truth. 

  "So how is he?" I asked, as Ukraine leaned back in his chair. 

  "Fine I guess." Uke shrugged. "I mean… he's alive and breathing…" 

  "I see." I nodded, I knew Uke wouldn't tell me that much.

  "I still don't know why you went back for him Rus. It would have been better for all of us if you let him die." 

  "Uke-"

  "I'm being serious. I mean, no more beatings, no going hungry, we could finally get medical help from the system, I would have to worry about the next time dad gets drunk and tries to… you know…" He gave me a sideways glance. 

  "I hear what you're saying but…." I started. 

  "What? Because you would have felt bad letting our Dad die? He deserves it." Ukraine said angrily. 

  "I'm guessing you though Mom deserved to die too for leaving us huh." I said coldly. 

  Ukraine didn't reply. 

  "I'm sick and tired of having this conversation." I sighed. "I'm so done with you getting mad at me for saving Dad. I had my reasons." 

  "Fine." Ukraine said, standing up and glaring down at me. "Just know that next time one gets hurt, it's your fault." 

  He stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. 

  I leaned back in the bed and rubbed the sides of my head. 

  I did the right thing saving Dad, no matter what Ukraine said, we'd be fine.

  But a part of my brain wondered if what Ukraine was saying was true. What if Dad really hurt them? I was the reason he was alive. I'd he killed Uke it'd be all my fault. 

  "No." I fought back. "I promised mom we'd stay together. And I'd protect them. We're a family, it's my job to keep us together." 

  I pulled the blanket over my head and took in a few breaths. I pulled my leg up to my chest and touched the edge of what was left of my other leg. A constant reminder.

  I was just glad it didn't hurt for once. The nurses had given me meds for the pains once I'd explained the situation, it felt nice to not have it crammed into the old prosthetic. 

  I curled up even tighter and tried not to think about Dad, or Uke, or what would happen after we left the hospital or anything. 

  A few minutes later, sleep over took me and I drifted off into the dark. 
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  My eyes fluttered open gently as I felt someone nudging me as they tried to get up onto the bed.

  “Bela!” I heard Ukraine hiss. “He's sleeping!”

  I sighed and sat up slowly.

  “Don't worry about it, I'm up.” I said, putting on a sleepy smile for Bela and Kazi.