We Are A Family (A USSR FAM FIC)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

  “Are you ready to see your father now?” 

  I nodded to the nurse next to me as she led me down the hall, my crutches clinking on the polished floor. 

  My stomach twisted and churned at the thought of seeing him again. What would he say to me? Would he be angry? What was I going to say?

  The nurse opened the door for me and I stepped inside.

  “Just call if you need anything.” She said kindly.

  I muttered a quick thank you as she shut the door and I turned to face him.

  “Hello Father.”

  “Russia.” He replied.

  There was a moment of silence.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked. “The doctors said you were doing better.”

  He just looked at me, he glared slightly, and my heart beat quickly in my chest.

  “Sit.” He demanded, pointing to the chair next to him.

  I swallowed hard and slowly made my way over to the chair.

  “Hurry up.” He barked and I quickly slid into the seat and leaned my crutches against the wall.

  I looked down at the floor, not daring to meet eyes- er well- eye.

  He wasn't wearing his eyepatch, being in the hospital and all so you could see the gaping hole that was once his right eye. It made my insides squirm to look at.

  “Look at me.” He demanded and I forced my eyes to meet his.

  “Yes father?” I asked quietly.

  “Give me a moment I'm deciding.” He scowled.

  “Sorry.” I whispered.

  There was a tense moment while my father pondered whatever he was deciding.

  “You saved my life.” He said after a few minutes. “I owe you one.”

  “It's okay dad, you don't owe me anything.” I replied.

  Maybe I could use this to help my siblings somehow. Maybe lessen the beatings that would ensue the moment we got home. Once we found a home that is.

  “Silence.” He said harshly. “You dare to refuse me?”

  “No father.” I said quickly. “Thank you.”

  “Good… good…” He muttered, closing his eye and leaning back in the hospital bed. “Once we get out of here, you and I will have a lot of work to do if we are to survive.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.

  “Our house is gone and the hospital bills will be through the roof. We have some money in storage, but it won't be enough…. Won't be enough…” His voice began to trail off and his eye fluttered open and closed and the beeps on the heart monitor slowed.

  “Dad?” I asked, reaching out to shake him.

  “He's just a sleep.” A voice said, startling me.

  I turned to see a man, no- country- standing in the doorway.

  He wore a white doctor's coat and a stethoscope was draped around his neck. It wasn't the doctors uniform that threw me though, it was his flag. 

  Bright red, with a white cross in the middle.

  I'd seen that flag before.

  But where?