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She put an ar me to her waist “Good”

The scratchy fabric of her apron felt abrasive against the firstoil and soap I hugged her back, but then embarrassment made me pull away

“I’ruff voice

She patted ht You’re almost a man now, my Sasha”

My chest swelled with pride “I’m Alex I’m too old for Sasha too”

“Alex,” she agreed gently

The memory fades, and my chest squeezes with pain Had I knoould happen the next day, I would’ve hugged her longer and told her I loved her

Snapping out of the past, I forceto create a violent cocktail in my blood

On the screen, two men face my father Both are fat around their waists and flabby in their arularly encountered the worst of humanity, had security cameras in the apartment, just in case The men must be unaware of the hidden ca their faces

My pulse jumps

Vladi Pavlov

Putting his head close to Stefanov’s, Pavlov says, “He’s not going to talk”

Stefanov grins “Oh, he will” He faces ainst us and where it is, and we’ll let your wife and son live”

My father spits blood on the floor “I have nothing You’re wasting your time”

Stefanov flicks his fingers at Pavlov Pavlov walks so fro a chair with him

My heart stops

My mother sits in the chair, her hands tied behind her back He leaves the chair next toMy mother cries softly, but she doesn’t scream

“You’ll talk,” Stefanov says “Or you’ll watch her die”

“She has nothing to do with this Please, let her go,” s, a desperate entreaty in one eye and the other one swollen shut

Stefanov bends down, putting him and my father at eye level “Talk”

Pavlov grabs ers She whimpers when he raises his other arm, poised to strike, but she doesn’t cower