Good-Bye
Sabina had stopped crying hours ago, but she still couldn’t move from her seat by Anya’s door. Light was coming through the windows, casting long shadows in the orange around her, and she watched them move, slowly, over time.
She looked up at the sound footsteps down the hall, and got to her feet when she saw them. Yuri stopped short, his jacket still dripping wet, Rache at his side. Sabina scowled at them. Both of them.
“Is Anya awake?” Yuri asked, voice low, tired.
“No,” said Sabina. “We’re not allowed in. None of us.”
Rache looked away, held her arms behind her back. Yuri stepped closer, walked past Sabina and leaned against the door.
“Anya, darling,” he said, “is papa. I know you are sleeping, but I need to say good-bye again. I hope you have beautiful dreams, my angel. Beautiful dreams. Take care of mama for me. I love you, Anya. Sleep well.”
Sabina was barely controlling herself when he looked back, put his hand on her shoulder.
“You will have money today,” he said. “One way or another. Take good care of her.”
She moved to speak, but Rache gave her a warning look, and she kept to herself. Yuri lumbered out of sight, into the orange sun, and left her there, alone.