The train ride is slow. The snow-covered earth glides by in slow motion. Anya rests her forehead against the cool glass of the small compartment. She is glad she is alone. Not one person has come in or even gone by the door down the long, carpeted walkway between the train cars. She is alone. Back at the platform in Astrakhan she turns and it hits her like a thump across the chest that she is leaving her home and her sister Yula is not coming with her.

Anya clasps her sister’s cold hand in hers. “My Yula. I am so very sorry for all that we have lost. For all I think I have done to our family.” Yula smiles a sad smile and shakes her head, “Anya you were always the strong one. The brave one. I sat back and let you do what you did. I was,” she falters. “afraid.” She finishes.

“Will I see you again?” Anya asks in a cracked voice. Though she knows the answer.

Yula smiles,” I wish all the time we could go back. Back to when we walked along the river and got sweets and bread in the square. When father would read to us by the old stove while mother rocked and darned our gloves.”

They say nothing, each thinking their own thoughts of home. Then with a final kiss on her cold reddened cheek Anya boards the train. Hurrying down the aisle she finds a compartment and squints out the dull windows into the morning sun. She can make out Yula still standing on the platform her eyes searching the cars. They find each other and lift their hands in a wave. Yula is still waving as the train pulls away and becomes a long dark snake racing over the snowy hills and far away.

Next Chapter: Lyllian, May 2017, The Black Dog