She chewed on that, then nodded.“Thanks.”
The world outside was all black now, windows reflecting the room back at us like a split-screen interview.Nadya’s face in the glass looked more at peace than I’d ever seen it.
“Should we take a nap?”she asked.
I glanced up at the top bunk, then got up to check it out.The space was so tiny I’d probably have a hard time rolling over without bumping against the ceiling.
“You ever see a six-foot-three gorilla try to wedge itself into a breadbox?”I asked.
She smirked.“No, but I’d pay to watch.”
“You’re about to get a free show.”Because I wouldn’t subject Nadya to this.Damn, I should’ve splurged on a bedroom instead of the roomette.“But let’s get your bed ready first.”
There was an extra mattress for the bottom bunk, so I unfolded the seat to turn it into a bed, then put the mattress over it and made Nadya’s bed before arranging my bunk.
I checked the pillow situation and found them surprisingly comfortable.Unfortunately, there was only one blanket between us, if it could even be called that.
“You want the blanket?”I offered.
“I’m Ukrainian.We don’t get cold.”
“I’m Italian.We get cold and then complain about it for the rest of the year.”
She laughed, a real one, the kind that makes you want to bottle it up for emergencies.“Seriously, I’m not even going to change since it’s only a couple of hours of nap time.I’ll be fine.”
“I can call to ask for another one,” I offered, but Nadya waved it off.
Instead of pressing the issue, I climbed to the top bunk and squeezed myself in.Nadya popped her head up to see how I managed and had herself a good laugh at my expense.
“Now you’re canned tuna.”
I chuckled at that.She wasn’t wrong.Good thing I wasn’t claustrophobic.
Leaving me to my torture chamber, Nadya curled up on the lower bunk.I watched her through the mirror hanging over the ill-placed toilet.Her head rested on the pillow, face turned away.She didn’t cry, or shudder, or show any sign of the nerves I’d expected.
I thought about all the things I wanted to say.That I’d make sure no one ever hurt her again.That she wasn’t alone.That even if her ghosts followed her everywhere, she didn’t have to fight them by herself anymore.
But I didn’t say any of that.I just let the train rock us both to sleep.
Around midnight, Nadya shifted, rolled onto her back, and stared up at the ceiling.The slight movement might not have woken most people up, but I was trained to always be on guard, and now, in an unfamiliar place, it was cranked up to the max.
“You awake?”she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“I’m scared,” she said.No sarcasm, no defense.Just the simple fact of it.
“I’ll be right beside you the whole time,” I promised.
She reached up, fingers brushing mine where they dangled from the bunk.For a second, we just held hands, suspended in the dark.
The train sped through the night, each mile closing the distance between her past and whatever waited on the other side.
I held on and didn’t let go.
