by Jacob Holo
Amy wanted it that way. She liked shouting to the world “Look at me! I’m artistic!” Not that she cared what the response was, which was fine because the world didn’t care either. Still, all that black and purple clothing made Nicole think of a plump vampire.
Amy wasn’t fat, not really. Nicole had called her fat more than a few times, but always in anger, never seriously. Still, she didn’t exercise, and all those Krispy Kreme doughnuts had accumulated into a certain pudginess of the face and neck. An unsightly roll of flesh had formed around her waist that her tight black dress did nothing to hide. There were reasons kids at school called her the Krispy Queen.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Nicole asked groggily.
“Not a wink.”
“Is something wrong?”
“It’s…” Amy looked away. “It’s nothing.”
“Suit yourself.” Nicole threw the comforter aside, sat up, and rubbed her eyes. “So where are we going today?”
“First the Aurora cruiser,” Amy said. “No visit to Saint Petersburg is complete without seeing the Aurora, or so Big W keeps saying. After that we’ll see the Winter Palace and then maybe Saint Isaac’s Cathedral if we have time.”
Nicole felt a nervous jolt when Amy mentioned the Winter Palace. Hadn’t Viktor said something about a large infestation there?
“Do we have to go to the Winter Palace?” Nicole asked.
“Yeeeees,” Amy said, rolling her eyes. “Why ask?”
“I don’t know. Maybe we could tell Big W we’re sick. I don’t really feel like going out today.”
“If you want to stay in the hotel, you’re staying alone.”
Well, that settled it. Nicole wasn’t staying anywhere alone.
“What’s your problem?” Nicole asked.
“I didn’t get any sleep, remember?”
“You sure you don’t want to say we’re sick and get some extra shut eye?”
“I’m not staying in the hotel.”
Nicole shrugged as if the suggestion had been nothing and stood up. She had contemplated telling Amy about her experience in the subway station, but dismissed the notion almost immediately. She knew it was an utterly horrible idea on many levels. For one, anyone she told would think she was nuts. A part of her wondered the same thing.
Nicole pulled out one of her Doctor Who shirts and a pair of jeans. She dressed, groomed, and went downstairs to eat breakfast with her mind on anything but sightseeing. She didn’t see Daniel all morning, but he sent her a regular stream of text messages that helped ease her nerves.
Nicole found she spent a lot more time watching her surroundings. Each window, door, and alley was a place a reaver could jump from. Every time things got quiet, she made sure people were still moving. A nervous morning at the Aurora passed without incident. Mrs. Woytowich went on at some length, discussing how the cruiser, originally built for the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, participated in the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917. Nicole barely paid attention.
After lunch, they visited the Winter Palace, which Daniel had repeatedly assured her was clear. Nicole still didn’t enjoy herself, but she wasn’t a nervous wreck either. Slowly, she came to feel, if not exactly safe, then at least not completely vulnerable. A sense of alert attentiveness settled over her. Her spirits rose through the evening and by the time they arrived at Saint Isaac’s Cathedral she was in a passably good mood.
“That’s the cathedral?” Nicole asked Mrs. Woytowich, walking towards the front entrance.
From the air, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral probably looked like a thick plus sign set in an open plaza. Each leg ended in a wide triangular roof supported by dozens of columns. A tall golden dome rose from the center, supported by even more columns. Angelic statues dotted its roof and walls.
“Where are all the colorful onions on top of the towers?” Nicole asked. “The thing looks like it belongs in Greece or Rome.”
“Oh, Nicole,” Mrs. Woytowich sighed. “Stereotypes are such a horrible thing.”
Nicole glanced at Amy, expecting some sort of suck-up comment about how much she loved all things Russian. But Amy didn’t say a word. Something had thrown her off her game. Whatever it was, Nicole wasn’t going to complain.
Nicole fell behind the class and looked around the plaza. She didn’t see any reavers, but she did spot a familiar face sitting on a bench.
Nicole watched the class walk into the cathedral, then jogged over to Daniel.
“Nice city, but it’s not home,” Daniel said.
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Nicole said, sitting down next to him.
“No reavers nearby, in case you were wondering,” Daniel said. “That’s usually the nice thing about Russia. The locals keep their cities clear.”
“So what was that giant centipede in the subway?”
Daniel shrugged. “Maybe it was a fluke.”
“You don’t sound very convinced.”
“That’s because I’m not. I think the reavers are scouting ahead for a new offensive. A lot of tau guards are based in Russia, so I suppose it’s only natural.”
“A scout? That giant thing was a scout?”
“It might have been. I have a bad feeling about the recent rise in activity. Something nasty is going to hit.”
“A scout?” Nicole said, struggling with the concept of enormous killer insect = reconnaissance party.
“I just hope I’m out of the country by then. Speaking of which, when do you leave for home?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Hmm, I see,” Daniel said. “Well, it could be worse.”
“Should I leave sooner?”
“Nah, there’s hardly any…” Daniel paused and thought. “There’s only a moderate chance you’ll run into more reavers.”
“Are you trying to make me feel better? Because it’s not working.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ve got yourself a guardian angel.” Daniel stuck a thumb at his chest. “So tell me, how was the Aurora? Viktor kept going on like it’s a big deal.”
“You mean you weren’t there?”
Daniel leaned back as if offended. “Oh, I was there. I was just working. Here, I’ll prove it.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a glossy pamphlet from the Aurora’s tourist kiosk. “See? Proof positive I was there. I’m a man of my word.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“I was just curious what was so special about the ship.”
“Our teacher said it had something to do with the October Revolution. Its guns fired a blank shot that started the attack at the Winter Palace.”
“Huh,” Daniel said, staring off at nothing. “That sounds rather significant.”
“To be honest, I have trouble caring about American history, let alone the history of some country I’m never going to see again.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Forget I said it.” Daniel looked at his watch. “Well, look at the time. I’ve got to go or Viktor’s going to yell at me. Not like he needs an excuse after what I pulled yesterday. But, you know, it’s best not to antagonize the boss. The area’s clear, so don’t worry. I’ll see you later.”
“Right. Later then.”
Daniel sat up and walked away from the cathedral, following the edge of the plaza.
Nicole watched him leave, then headed in to catch up with the class. She joined them without being seen and spent the better part of an hour following Mrs. Woytowich around as she ogled one painting or mural or statue after another. To her surprise, Nicole found herself becoming bored, and given how she’d felt earlier in the day, boredom felt pretty good.
Throughout the day, Amy had been unusually quiet. Nicole admitted it was a nice change of pace, but eventually her curiosity got the better of her.
“Hey, Amy,” Nicole said.
“What is it?” Amy asked without looking up.
“Are you all right? You’ve been awfully quiet.�
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“It’s nothing.”
“Are you sure? You look paler than normal. Is that new makeup?”
“Just go away. Why don’t you bug someone else?”
“Fine,” Nicole said, throw up her hands. “Excuse me for caring.”
An hour later, the class gathered near the entrance. Mrs. Woytowich counted the number of students and dutifully waited for the stragglers to finish their restroom breaks.
Thanks, but I’m here, Nicole thought. You should have been doing that yesterday.
Nicole stepped outside into the brisk evening air. She zipped up her hoodie. Spring in Russia was not as friendly as back home.
“Hey, Nicole,” someone said from behind.
“Daniel?”
Nicole turned and spotted him leaning against the wall. He looked terrible, like he’d been stuffed in a machine dryer for several hours, and it had not been a gentle cycle. Sweat matted his already messy hair in place, and the ragged edge of his trench coat had several new tears. He also had the thickest five o’clock shadow she’d ever seen.
“How’s it going?” he asked wearily.
“Never mind me. What happened to you?”
“Oh, we had another infestation at the Winter Palace. It took us forever to track all the drones down.”
“Drones?”
“Yeah, drones. They’re these little reavers, kind of like metal cockroaches the size of your foot.”
“Yuck!”
“Yeah, they’re not very pleasant. There must have been hundreds of them, all skittering about the place like a… well, like a river of roaches. And you know what these things smell like when you crack them open. Man, it was bad. I’m proud to say I only puked once. Some of the others didn’t fare so well.”
“That’s disgusting. Did anyone get hurt?”
“Well, drones aren’t too dangerous by themselves, but if you get a few dozen going for you at once it can get tricky. See this hole here? One of them chewed through and actually bit a chunk out of me.”
“Oh my God, are you okay?”
“It didn’t bite off anything vital. A resetter put it back later, so everything’s good. She missed the hole in my coat, though.”
“You sure you’re all right?”
“Yeah, don’t worry about it,” Daniel said. “Say, do you happen to know what day it is?”
“It’s Thursday, same as it was an hour ago.”
“Thursday? It’s still Thursday?” Daniel looked down at his watch. “Oh yeah, so it is.”
“Just how long did the freeze last?”
“Too long. I’m going to go back to my hotel and sleep till our plane leaves. See you later.”
“Umm, okay. Bye.”
Daniel staggered into the cathedral.
“That’s not the way to your hotel!” Nicole shouted, but he waved with his back turned and disappeared around a corner. Nicole had a feeling if she followed him he wouldn’t be there. She’d have to ask him about that when they found time. Come to think of it, she had a trillion questions she needed to ask.
* * *
Night fell. When they returned to the hotel, sleep mercifully followed. Nicole woke up three times during the night, but never stayed awake for long. Amy must have felt better, because she snored through the whole night. Nicole had never found Amy’s nasal congestion so reassuring before. Any sound was a good sound, because it meant time hadn’t stopped.
In the morning, the alarm clock woke them with the same abruptness. The class ate breakfast in the hotel lounge, packed their bags, and headed for the subway station a block north of the hotel.
Half an hour later, Nicole checked in her luggage at the Pulkovo II International Airport. The main reception area just before the security check was a two-tiered building with an open center and most of the shops and restaurants on the second level. The peaked glass roof gave her an excellent view of a gloomy overcast sky.
“Good morning!” Daniel said from behind her.
Nicole turned around. Daniel looked a full night’s sleep and a hot shower better than the last time she saw him. He wore a new black trench coat and his hair, while still generating its comb-repulsing force field, at least looked clean.
“Hey, Daniel. You look better.”
“Thanks. Sorry if I made you worry. Tau lag can be a pain, sometimes.”
“Tau lag? You mean like jet lag?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty much the same thing. Anyway, I’ll see you at the gate.”
Daniel waved and walked into the men’s restroom. Nicole felt like telling him he was going the wrong way, but figured there wouldn’t be a point. She took an escalator up to the second level and found Amy outside a Starbucks sipping coffee.
“Come on, let’s get through security,” Nicole said.
“First caffeine,” Amy said. “We can go through with the rest of the class.”
Nicole sat down next to her. “You look better this morning.”
“I feel a little better. Getting a good night’s sleep helped.”
“So what was it? Did you feel sick yesterday?”
“It was nothing.”
“Come on,” Nicole said. “It couldn’t be nothing. You missed several good opportunities to embarrass me. That’s not like you.”
“Just drop it. I don’t feel like talking about it.”
“After the subway prank, I was expecting some sort of follow-up.”
“I said drop it.”
“No.”
Amy glared at Nicole.
“Something is bothering you,” Nicole said. “I can tell.”
“Then be a good sister and leave me alone.”
“Come on. I’m curious. What is it?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Nicole laughed. “You’d be surprised what I’m willing to believe right now.”
“Just knock it off. I don’t feel like talking.”
Amy turned her seat away from Nicole and took a long sip of her coffee.
Nicole leaned close and whispered. “You know, if you tell me what’s bothering you, I’ll let you in on a secret.”
“Come on, everyone!” Mrs. Woytowich shouted. “Time to head through security!”
Amy took another sip of coffee and stood up.
“Not interested,” she said.
“Fine!” Nicole said, throwing up her arms. “Be that way!”
The security lines took a good twenty minutes to pass through. Nicole didn’t see Daniel in the lines and by now didn’t expect to see him. The class made it to Gate 16 with half an hour to spare.
Nicole sat down on a plastic bench next to Amy, completely unsurprised to see Daniel seated on the opposite bench, staring out the window. Given the odd shape of his trench coat, Nicole guessed he had a new sword. He yawned into a fist and didn’t make eye contact, probably because her classmates were so close.
A Boeing 747 taxied in, and the new arrivals disembarked.
“Do you have our tickets?” Nicole asked.
“Yeah, I’ve got them right here,” Amy said. She reached into her coat, which was black and had frilly lace in places that didn’t make sense.
The flight back proved uneventful. Nicole felt a hint of anxiety when boarding the plane. Daniel had mentioned reavers on planes, but seeing him a few rows back helped ease her worry. He stuffed his trench coat and concealed sword into the overhead compartment, gave her a quick wink, and sat down.
She slept better on the flight back than she had in two days.
The next time she ran into Daniel was at the baggage claim in Boston’s Logan International Airport.
“God, I hate planes,” Daniel grumbled, rubbing his eyes. “I really do.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“Not one bit. I even took some Tylenol PM to knock me out. I should have been unconscious in five minutes, but this unwashed idiot kept kicking the back of my seat. God, I hate planes. Did I mention that?”
“Yes, I believe you did.”
“Well, it deserves repeating,” Daniel said. He picked a large black duffle bag off the conveyor and slung it over a shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow, probably at your condo. We’ll have some time to talk then. I’m sure you’ve got a ton of questions.”
“Yeah, just a few.”
“Till then, have fun with customs.”
Nicole watched Daniel walk off to the men’s restroom and didn’t bother waiting for him to come out.
Customs proved to be the painful and embarrassing experience Mrs. Woytowich warned them it would be. Surely it should be easier returning to the U.S. as a citizen than entering Russia as a foreigner, Nicole thought. But after she’d been scrutinized, subjected to Q&A, had her passport scanned and her baggage searched, she was allowed back into her own country.
“I wish Mom and Dad were here to pick us up,” Amy said, dragging her baggage out to the waiting taxies. Massachusetts’ late morning sun beat down on them.
“Aren’t they at some sort of conference again?”
“I think so,” Amy said. “They should be back in a few days.”
“It’ll be nice to have the house to ourselves.”
“True,” Amy said. “But when they get home, I think you should show them your appreciation.”
Nicole frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“For example, when they get home you can say ‘Oh, Mom and Dad! I missed you so much!’ They’ll love it.”
“Why would I say that? It’s not true.”
Amy shook her head. “Come on, Nicole.”
“Maybe next time,” Nicole grumbled.
“Our parents aren’t that bad.”
“You mean your parents aren’t that bad,” Nicole said, a little sharper than she would have liked.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Forget it.”
With the conversation thoroughly soured, they jammed into the back seat of the taxi and instructed the driver on how to get to their condo in Burlington.
Fifteen minutes later and halfway home, Amy poked her shoulder.
“Hey, Nicole?”
“Hmm?” Nicole murmured. She pulled out one of her earpieces.
“You know, despite your flaws, Mom and Dad really do care about you. They’re just not all that good at showing it. I think what you should do—”
