Page 62 of Canyon of Deceit

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ALINA

One day rolled into the next, and I did my best to use the routine as a schedule and not worry so much. Daddy said schedules kept us organized and in a better mood.

But fear held me tight.

I cried for my daddy.

I feared a new life in Russia. My uncle who now treated me nice might be mean again. The faces of the men he’d killed kept me awake at night.

Red used to be my favorite color but no more. Daddy told me red meant life, and black meant death. He made a terrible mistake.

I kept my room neat, and the work pleased my uncle.

I washed my clothes and hung them in the shower to dry, scrubbing the blood hard until the spots faded.

I straightened the towels, washcloths, and wiped out the sink with extra napkins from the food he brought me.

Then I completed the schoolwork my uncle downloaded on my iPad.

He made sure every day I solved hard math problems, studied Russian history, politics, science, and read books in Russian he said were important.

Daddy had encouraged me to work very hard on my studies, so this part of my day seemed a little normal.

At school, my classes had been with bigger kids, and they weren’t always friendly.

Late afternoon, my uncle’s signal knock and voice startled me. I unlocked the door, surprised to see him with Therese. They came inside, and he locked the door behind them.

“Hi, Alina.” Therese smiled. Her hands weren’t tied, but her face had bruises.

“Has my uncle brought you to visit me?”

She bent to my level. “He has. I’m excited to see you again. Your uncle tells me the two of you are using different names. He’s Isaak Mishin, and you’re Larisa Mishin.”

“Yes, ma’am. The names keep us safe from the bad people who killed Daddy.” A flicker of something flashed in her eyes. Was she running from the people who wanted to hurt me?

“Sounds like your uncle is taking good care of you.”

I glanced up at him, and he touched my cheek. “He is.” Until I learned the truth, I must make him think I believed everything he said.

“You two can keep each other company while I’m gone,” he said. “I’ll bring your dinner back. Is a grilled chicken salad all right with you girls?”

“Perfect,” Therese said. “Ali... Larisa and I will have a great time together.”

Uncle Isaak kissed my forehead and left. The click sounded on the door, and I double locked it from my side.

Therese’s visit confused me. My hands shook and I dug my fingers into my palms. “Thank you for coming.”

She sat on the bed in front of me. “I am your friend. I asked to spend time with you.” Therese put her finger to her lips to quiet me, and I nodded. She mouthed, Your uncle is listening to us.

I would not upset my uncle. “What sounds fun to you?”

“How do you spend your time alone?”

I explained all the things to keep me busy. “... and I finished my schoolwork. I can show you on my iPad.”

“I’d love it.” Therese looked at my math, and her eyes widened. “You’re doing precalculus.”

“I like numbers.”

“I’d like to look at what you’ve done.” She touched my arm and then her lips. She mouthed, Have you been hurt?

I shook my head. My daddy is dead.

Therese wrapped her arm around my shoulder. Your uncle told you?

I nodded. It must be true. I swiped at a tear, and she drew me into her arms. I tried to stop but still I sobbed. Oh no! My uncle would hear. Think fast. “I’m sorry to cry. But it is good to see you.”

She bit her lip and hugged me tighter. “Friends cry when they haven’t seen each other for a while.” You will be okay. I promise. God loves you.

Therese said God again. She must believe He’s real. Daria said there was no such thing as God. People who believed were weak and had forgotten how to use their heads. I hoped Daria had made a huge mistake.

Why would a God who loves you kill your daddy?