Page 31 of Sergei
But I kept going. “They were twice his size, but he just wouldn’t let up. He kept taunting them until they all started laying into him. He held his own for about two seconds, and then, they had him on the ground. I was screaming and begging them to stop, but they just kept wailing away.”
There was still little to no reaction from Sergei.
He just kept driving, and I kept talking.
“And then, out of nowhere, you plowed into the group, and they all scattered before you threw the first punch. Viktor tried to act like he had them where he wanted them, but his black eye said otherwise.”
“I should’ve let them beat the hell out of him,” Sergei grumbled. “Might’ve knocked some sense into him.”
“Maybe, but I think the whole thing made a real impression on him.” I shrugged. “You weren’t just his big brother anymore. You were more than that... You were Sergei.”
He didn’t say anything more.
I wasn’t sure if the memory had fazed him at all. His face showed no emotion, and he only seemed interested in the road ahead. We drove for miles. Neither of us said a word.
And then, out of nowhere, his voice broke the silence, “Do you remember that winter break when I got food poisoning?”
“Food poisoning?”
I thought for a minute, but I had no idea what he was talking about. I shook my head as I told him, “No. I don’t guess I remember that.”
“Oh, I was bad off. I couldn’t keep anything down for days.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he told me, “It was late. I thought everyone was gone for the night, and then, you slipped into my room and put some crackers and Sprite on my bedside table. You fixed my blankets and put a cold rag on my head before you slipped back out.”
“Sounds like something I would do,” I giggled under my breath.
“My mother was the only one who ever did anything like that for me.”
His words got to me, but it was the solemn look in his eyes that made my heart ache. I wanted to say something. I wanted to tell him that I might’ve been Viktor’s friend, but I cared about him, too. I cared about all of them.
He and his brothers and mother were like family to me, but before I could find the words, his car turned off the main road and through an elaborate, gated entry.
It was growing dark, but even in the shadows, I could see that the house was beautiful. The grounds were surrounded by rows of pristine white fencing, and just beyond them was the silhouette of an enormous barn. Sergei slowed and parked near the barn entrance, then cut the engine and turned to me. His eyes were hard once again, and his voice was firm as he ordered, “Stay put.”
Without another word, he got out and closed the door. I watched him walk through the gate and toward the stables. The doors swung shut behind him, and then, there was nothing.
I sat there in the dark, staring at the side entrance, and my breath fogged the window as I waited for some sign of Sergei. It felt like I’d sat there for hours. My stomach started growling, and I desperately needed to go to the bathroom. I crossed and uncrossed my legs, hoping the feeling would pass.
It didn’t.
If anything, it only grew worse.
I’d promised to stay in the car, and I didn’t want to break my word. But after what felt like an eternity, I had no choice. He hadn’t come back, and I couldn’t just sit there in agony. I tugged the toboggan low over my head, hiding my hair and most of my face, then quietly opened my door and slipped out.
I crept toward the stables, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a loud neigh from one of the horses. I didn’t bother trying to quiet him down. I knew nothing about horses and would’ve just made matters worse. Besides, I was just looking for a bathroom, and then, I would be back in the car.
I pulled the toboggan down even further and continued forward. That’s when I heard Sergei’s voice. It sounded different. It wasn’t cold or fierce, but soft and gentle. Curiosity pulled me forward, and when I reached one of the last stalls, I noticed some movement and stopped to peer inside.
That’s when I saw Sergei crouched low in the straw next to a beautiful chestnut horse. She was lying on her side, and Sergei was stroking her as he whispered, “It’s okay. I’m right here.”
His mother was in the corner, and she looked just as upset as Sergei over the state of the poor animal. Her chest rose and fell in a way that felt labored and weak, but she hadn’t given up yet. She was still fighting, and Sergei was doing everything he couldto comfort her. “You’ve always been such a fighter. You don’t have to fight anymore. You can let go.”
The man who’d never shown a moment of weakness was down in the dirt, stroking a sick, pitiful horse like she was the most precious thing in the world. And in that moment, I realized I really didn’t know Sergei at all. I wasn’t sure anyone did. Not really. But I hoped one day I would, because clearly, he was a man worth knowing.
11
SERGEI
"Easy girl.” I ran my hand down Moya’s side. “We’re going to get you better.”
