Page 8 of P.S. I’m With You (Hel’s Ink: Extended)
Six
NIKA
I look at the two passports through scratchy, irritated eyes. Two, not three.
“Once on the train,” Dominik states, his voice devoid of any emotion, “go to cabin twenty. There will be an elderly woman there. Tell her you’re looking to buy a flower and give her this.
” He hands me what feels like an envelope of money.
“She will take you to where Zora is hiding. You two get off that train and there will be a driver ready to take you to the airport.”
“Dominik,” I whisper weakly. “Please, come with us.” I grab his hand while falling to my knees. “I beg of you, don’t stay here.” His hand cups my cheek as he pulls me back to my feet.
“I can’t, my love. They need Kasapin, and if I don’t step in, someone who could find you will. This is the only way I can keep you both safe.”
“You don’t deserve this!” I cry while hitting his chest. “You deserve—”
“I deserve to see my girls happy.” His eyes become glassy as a tear trails down his cheek.
“I deserve to know that the two loves of my life are safe. Go and teach that little girl to be fearless, just like you. And you,” —he swallows thickly as more tears fall— “you go and find your peace. Grow old and grey. Find someone to worship you as I have, because you deserve nothing less.”
“Never!” I snap through my own sobs. “You hear me, Dominik Kovac? Never! You own my heart and my soul. You are my peace, and I’ll never look for another because you are it.
” I give him a pleading look as a horn sounds outside—my ride to the train.
“Stay with me,” I beg desperately one last time.
Dominik gives me a sad smile before pressing his lips to my forehead.
“I’m with you.” He pulls back, and I feel so empty as I make my way to the car.
I give him one last glance before entering the car and slamming the door shut.
As the car pulls away, I stare at the passports in my lap, losing track of time until the driver tells me we’ve arrived.
I get out of the car and head through the busy station.
As I step onto the train, my heart tries to beat out of my chest. What if Zora isn’t here? What if Dominik was set up?
I walk towards cabin twenty, and sure enough, an older woman with short grey hair and a floral dress sits, knitting a blanket. I see a bunch of freshly cut irises in a basket beside her.
“Excuse me,” I say, grabbing her attention. “I’m looking to purchase a flower.” I pull the envelope from my backpack. The woman’s dark eyes consider me before nodding her head, motioning for me to take a flower.
“Take the one wrapped in yellow, such a pretty color paper.” I furrow my brows at her statement while reaching down and grabbing the wrapped flower, leaving the envelope in its place.
I look at the paper and see a number—forty-two, and I immediately leave the room.
I rush down the narrow hall of the train, shoving past travelers and workers alike until I reach the door with “forty-two” written above it. Ripping open the door, I step in.
“Mommy!”
I have nothing left; no strength, no mask, nothing. My sweet girl runs to me and I collapse to my knees, pulling her tightly to my chest as sob after sob wreck through me.
“My sweet Zora, my flower, a-are you okay?” I can’t even look at her for fear of not having her touching my heart.
“I’m okay, Mommy. Daddy protected me. He said you and I were going to go on a trip and you wouldn’t have to be away anymore!” I pull her back, only slightly, and give her a sad smile as I continue to sob.
“Yes, my love, I will never leave you again. Mommy is with you, always.”