Patih Tread is gone, flattened to the ground. The operation to the far west was cancelled. Command withdrew the troops in that grouping as they can’t be properly resupplied. The frontline stabilizes. The slow attrition once more took place.

None of it would concern Caitlyn for now.

She glances out of the taxi’s window. It’s a bright day outside. She hopes it’s a good sign. A blessing from the Primus. She rests her head on the window as the transport drives over the hill. Maya’s Sorrow looms in the distance. She glances at the Carvingstone mountains. They wave her welcome after a decade. She imagines them doing it while Watujaya’s thumpers massage them. Caitlyn expected a large change to Maya’s Sorrow. She thought the village would be unrecognizable to her. But it isn’t. It still looks the same as she remembers. Though she notices some houses have different paint jobs and additional decorations that freshen its look.

Gust of clement air streams against her face as she rolls down the window. It’s pleasing and nostalgic. Winds in the battlefield aren’t rare. But none hits better than those surfing around Maya’s Sorrow. The peaks of Carvingstone beckon. She has yet to vanquish them. Maybe one day when she is allowed a fairly long leave. She thinks of spending an entire day gazing at it for this one.

She wishes Alezia is here with her.

She wishes PT is here with her.

She eventually arrives at her mansion. It remains the same as a decade ago. But the atmosphere is different. It’s eerily quiet. Caitlyn peeks through the opening of the gate. She notices something as her sight scans the lawn.

“Where are the children?”

Prime Respite was banned from here for fifteen years. There’s no way they’d seize the place earlier without any repercussions. Everyone else should still be here. Ilya too if she hasn’t found foster parents.

“Who’s there?” She hears a voice from the other side of the gate.

Caitlyn is alerted. She was daydreaming that she forgot to ring the bell. She raises her sight. A maid with back-length hair is walking to the gate. Her light-brown hair is a bit wavy in the end. She has a tail to her left tied by a pink scrunchie. The maid holds her broom close as she reaches the gate.

“How can I help you?” She asks.

Caitlyn was wondering whether Gvozdika found herself a new maid to care for the orphanage. That’s when she notices the white headband with a bunny pin on the right side.

“Ilya…”

The maid gasps.

“Caitlyn?”

“Ilya.”

The maid smiles wide when Caitlyn utters her name for the second time. “No way!” She casts her broom aside. Her hands scurry for the keys in her pocket. Once the gate is opened, Ilya lurches and embraces Caitlyn. “Caitlyn!”

Caitlyn is still dumbfounded. The oldest child in the orphanage at that time has turned into an adolescent. She remembers how she was as tall as her shoulder. Now she is about her height. And she possesses an alluring form that Caitlyn can’t stress enough. Ten years did something to her. But she is still the cheerful girl whom she made friend with. Caitlyn pats her back and strokes her waist. It’s a joy to see her finally matured.

“The Primus bless…” She whines, but her smile is still there. “I miss you so…so much.”

“Same here. More than I can say.”

Ilya let go. Her gaze sweeps from Caitlyn’s face down to her feet. She must be having a hard time believing what she is seeing. Her childhood friend, who left her for ten years, now returns in a glorious Proxy field uniform. Caitlyn shares the same sentiment. She never thought that the girl is willing to volunteer as a maid in the mansion.

Ilya returns her gaze to Caitlyn’s face and flattens her lips. “I have a lot of questions.”

“I think I have more than you.” Caitlyn chuckles.

“We’ll see about that.” Ilya nods. “But first…” She grabs Caitlyn’s hand and drags her inside, closing the gate with her foot.

“Wait…” Caitlyn pulls her arm back. “I…I’ll just wait at the terrace.”

“No!” Ilya decrees. She continues to march. “You’re going inside.” Ilya glances at her. “Naughty child has to be responsible.” Ilya winks.

Caitlyn sighs. She glances at her in worry. “O-okay…I guess.”

Technically she is stronger than Ilya. She can hold her right there. But she doesn’t. She feels like she needs time to mentally prepare herself. She shouldn’t though, and she knows it. There has yet a time where she asks for five minutes of mental preparation when Gauntlets are knocking on her bunker.

Ilya sits her down on a couch once they’re inside the guest room. Caitlyn places her backpack to the right side of the couch.

“Wait here.” Ilya forms a two with her right hand. She points them to her eyes before pointing it to Caitlyn’s. She marches backwards, turning around once she is about to disappear around the corner.

Caitlyn takes a deep breath, calming herself. Her hands are sitting on her lap. The distress caused by her unannounced departure must have been tremendous. Even Ilya has to discipline her for it. It is nothing compared to what her superiors did at the job. But Caitlyn can see that she wanted her to make up for what she did.

The mansion’s walls still have the same color. They don’t offer much to wandering eyes, yet Caitlyn revels in their bland look now. She is used to the unruly dirt walls of the trenches. The soiled gray-walls of concrete bunkers are worse. Caitlyn would point the worst-looking part of the mansion, and it’s still way better than her quarter. She sighs and smiles. She can feel their warmth now.

The clock ticks. Every second adds to her anxiety. Ilya should summon everyone, no doubt. How will they react after seeing her for the first time in ten years? She begins to zone out. But Ilya finally reappear from the hall. She gives Caitlyn a gentle nod.

Caitlyn hear footsteps. They’re so gentle that she almost misses it. A figure appears behind Ilya. A graceful woman wearing the same uniform as the maid. She has a pink carnation pin on the right side of her hair. Caitlyn catches her gaze. She skims the woman from top to bottom and back. It’s really her.

Sister Gvozdika.

She looks at her with indifference. Caitlyn is astonished at how she didn’t change over the years unlike Ilya. The maid pulls her long skirts up as she bows toward Gvozdika before trotting back inside.

Now it’s just Gvozdika and her, a reunion between the eldest and the youngest. Caitlyn wonders where are the others.

The woman sits down across Caitlyn, locking both hands on her lap. Caitlyn is glad that her unmatched elegance still endures to this day. Their eyes meet again. Looks like Caitlyn has to take the initiative. Her nerve stacks up. She really wants to hug her, to feel the warmth of her embrace once more. That sadly can’t happen when she doesn’t seem welcoming.

“Sister Gvozdika.” Caitlyn waves her right hand. “It’s me…Caitlyn. I’m home.”

Gvozdika doesn’t respond.

Caitlyn expected that greeting to do as much as small arms do to tank’s armor.

Caitlyn looks down. “I’m sorry, sister.” She says. “I’m sorry for leaving you and everyone else. I am the cause of our debt. I made it worse. I can’t go through the day without guilt gnawing on me. The military promises me a good share of wealth when I serve. My conscience insists that I have to be held responsible. So, I took the offer.”

Her sister still doesn’t budge.

“I-I’m sorry.” Caitlyn raises her tone. She meets Gvozdika’s impassive stare. Her sharp eyes pierce through her core. “I refused to stay idle. I stirred the trouble. I don’t want anyone to sweep the dust for me. I have to get my hands dirty.” Caitlyn puts her hand together in front of her face. “Please forgive me, Sister Gvozdika.”

Still no response. Gvozdika still gazes at her with indifference.

Caitlyn becomes agitated. She ran out of options. She is always known to be tough. Only now Caitlyn realizes how hard it actually is to crack her. The woman is sturdy beyond measure. But behind that staunchness is an ever-loving heart. She was the first of the other sisters to accept Caitlyn in the family. She was the first to tolerate her faults. She was the one who caressed her when others were abusing her. And to think that she now refrains hospitality…

“Sister…please.” Caitlyn sniffs. “I beg you.”

Once she locked herself in her room for five days. Gvozdika always come knocking. Every time she begged her to open the door. She didn’t yield where others don’t even bother. Yet Caitlyn gave her a deep injury through her reckless deed. It might have sowed distrust in her heart and indifference is the fruit. It must be hard even for Gvozdika to forgive her. But Caitlyn can’t stop now. She promised PT to give her family a big hug. She must not give up. Like how Gvozdika never gave up on her.

Caitlyn kneels on the floor and crawls toward her sister’s lap. There she grabs her hands. The warm hands that never harm; her sister let Caitlyn grips them. She looks up. Gvozdika looks down on her.

“Please…I still love you.” Caitlyn sobs. “I still love you all. I just don’t want you to suffer for what I did. All of you have had enough. Maybe you don’t even deserve them.”

Caitlyn plants her face to Gvozdika’s lap. Her sobbing quickly turns into a weep, wetting the apron worn by her sister.

“I miss you so much, Sister Gvodika. If you won’t forgive me, then so be it. But please…I long for your embrace. It’s the warmest and safest place I know. All my days in the field made me wish they were there every night when I calibrate. It kept me going amidst the hail of death that are constantly being thrown at me. So please sister…”

As the cloth gets wetter, Caitlyn gets a response.

“My Caitlyn went to serve the most powerful military in the world, not whatever institution claiming to be the most powerful military in the world.”

Caitlyn looks up. Gvozdika’s expression is still indifferent. But she finally answered.

“S-sister…?”

“Are you a person worthy of that sacred uniform? Or are you just a pretender?”

Gvozdika has a point. One of the reasons why Caitlyn always admires her. Her attitude doesn’t reflect what had been taught by the army and what she has learned herself in the field. She overdoes her emotions. It’s not a disciplinary behavior in general. It’s not convincing that she went to serve in the war and survived for eight years. Or maybe it’s just her sister. Maybe she just wants her to prove that she actually served in the war.

Caitlyn takes a deep breath and wipes her tear away. She slowly stands upright, taking a step back to give Gvozdika space. She clenches her fists, crushing her sobbing with them. She sharply gazes at Gvozdika before saluting her.

“Ma’am. First Sergeant Caitlyn, 36th Proxy Tank Division, reporting. My endeavor for the past ten years prompts me to return here, for we must not forget where we came from—where we once stood before our prominent achievement. And such is my objective. Here I stand to honor the woman who has supported me regardless of my misbehavior. Jeannette Gvozdika, first daughter of Klara Zhel’niyya. A sister of mine. And to return the favor for all the times she cared for me. Those who thought of my name, shall not get away without knowing hers. Over.”

Silence.

Gvozdika stands up and returns her salute. Caitlyn retracts hers, keeping her posture straight. Her sight remains on her sister.

“Thank you for the report, soldier.” Gvozdika replies, keeping her head high. “The honor is mine. We will now consider your intention before declaring your eligibility to pursue them. You will be notified of our decision shortly. And until then, you are dismissed.”

Caitlyn salutes her again. She takes it that she has to wait outside for a while. At least her sister responded. That’s all she needs for now. She’ll return later to hug her. And she will keep on coming back until she got what she wants. She about-faces as soon as Gvozdika returns her salute. Her steps are heavy as she orderly exits the mansion.

That’s when she feels a tight grip on her left wrist. It yanks her backward. The force topples her off balance. It happens so quick that she has no time to react. In the next second, she is by her sister’s embrace. Caitlyn is locked so tight by her arms that even twitching is impossible.

“Caitlyn…” Gvozdika sobs.

Caitlyn’s eyes widen.

“You little scoundrel. How many times do I have to tell you?” Gvozdika’s tears start to wet her uniform. “How many times do I have to tell you!?”

“S-sister…?”

“We love you. We all do. Yet you keep pretending like we don’t. You’re not in this alone, Sister Caitlyn. Don’t bear the burden by yourself. It pains me seeing you beaten by Sister Gloria. But it pains me even more seeing you feel that way. And now that you’re here…” Gvozdika sniffs. “You won’t know how grateful I am seeing you in one piece.”

“Sister Gvozdika…”

“Everyone left not long after you were gone.”

The news hit harder than the Thorns’ gun.

“Sister Gloria, Sister Galicia, and Sister Gostinitsa…they followed your example. And two years later…” Gvozdika cries louder. It seems like she can’t say it without harming herself even more. But Caitlyn can see where this is going.

“Mother passed away…” She says.

“I’m scared, Sister Caitlyn. I’m scared. I had no one left. Ilya refused an adoption to keep me company. Was it not for her, I would have been hanging on mother’s room.”

Gvozdika gently rubs her face on Caitlyn’s shoulder.

“Please don’t do it to me again, Sister Caitlyn. Please…”

Caitlyn wraps her arms around Gvozdika. She plants her face on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Sister Gvozdika.” She cries. “I’m sorry.”

She made it. Gvozdika’s warm embrace is upon her once more. Objective complete. Caitlyn drowns herself in the softness. Her arms stroke Gvozdika’s back, returning it. Nothing matches its comfort. There is no better place to vent her fatigue. She is grateful that her sister refrained from taking her life. She can’t imagine how she would be when she is gone.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Gvozdika gently pats her back. The tears begin to cease. They sniff as they cast them aside.

“Oh, my little Caitlyn…I don’t think Android grows up. But it seems like you did.”

Caitlyn smiles. “I’m home, sister.” Caitlyn tightens her grip over Gvozdika. “And I don’t want to let go.”

“You think I do? You’ll be gone again for another decade.” Gvozdika replies.

Gvozdika kisses Caitlyn’s forehead. It makes her blush.

“You don’t smell like someone who came from a war.”

“You don’t want to hug me covered in dust and smelled like a rubbish dump, do you?”

Gvozdika let go and smiles; a warm smile that brighten her day. She follows it with a chuckle.

“You would, wouldn’t you?” Caitlyn says.

The delight of seeing her smile is beyond words. Caitlyn just responds with a smile of her own. It doesn’t fully express what she is feeling. But it comes with a desire to protect her sister’s.

Caitlyn glances at the hall. Ilya is there observing them. She gives her thumbs up.

Gvozdika follows Caitlyn’s glance before stepping aside and extends her arm.

“Come, Sister Ilya.”

“Come, Sister Ilya.” Caitlyn imitates her sister.

Ilya immediately rushes forth and hugs them both. Her whine is of joy. Her tears are of happiness.

“I’m so happy for you two!” She exclaims.

“I’m happy for all of us.” Gvozdika says. “We are a family once more.” She follows it up with a kiss on Caitlyn’s and Ilya’s forehead.

Caitlyn kisses Gvozdika’s right cheek while Ilya kisses her left. They do it simultaneously.

“Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle…” Ilya says.

Caitlyn asks to see her mother even though they rarely see each other. Gvozdika grants her wish. She takes her to the cemetery. It’s just by the entrance of Maya’s Sorrow, the way Caitlyn came from. The place has next to non-existent shade. It is made that way so the dead’s spirit could relish Mount Carvingstone and its valleys during the day, and the stars when darkness falls.

Caitlyn kneels beside a granite tombstone that bears her mother’s name. There is nothing much to say. She tells her that she is home now. She then asks for forgiveness, even though she believes that her mother would forgive her. She also expresses her joy of being home again; to once more be with the only two person that love her when none does. And she promises her that everything will be fine because they are together again. They’ll scrape the dust and rise from beneath the rubble.

The tombstone speaks in silence. But it’s not the silence that Caitlyn can’t understand. Mrs. Zhel’niyya must be happy seeing her daughters reunited. Though it’s not everyone, it should give hope to her spirit so she can rest in peace.

They come across the tank monument on their way home. Caitlyn pauses her steps to gaze at its grandeur. She is glad that it’s still there after ten years. She always wanted to be in one. She always wanted to gun down all of her enemies while in one. Caitlyn chuckles. She didn’t get the latter most of the time. But at least she got herself in one on a daily basis.

They continue their walk home.

“So, where are the children?” Caitlyn asks.

“I sent them out.”

“You what!?”

“To other orphanage.” She adds. “Come on…do you really think I’m that wicked?”

“Ten years can do something to you.” Caitlyn shrugs. “It did something to me.”

“Fair point.”

“Why did you do it, though?”

“I was preparing to yield the mansion.”

“You know you could just let Prime Respite to take care of them, right?”

Gvozdika glances at her. “And let them grow their endeavor? No. I will not sympathize with companies that are too focused on profits. Sure, that’s what keep them running. But I believe that decent products bring decent profits.”

“There’s a lot more to it though.”

“That’s not my problem. What’s the point of having three hundred plus people at your disposal if you can’t make a washing machine that doesn’t require service every two weeks? Or a milk that won’t last a week even when they’re in a fridge?”

Caitlyn smiles as her sister rants. She doesn’t really care about the point she’s making. She is just happy that she can have this kind of conversation with her. Caitlyn was too young back then. Perhaps that’s why her sister barely talk to her on similar matters. And perhaps that’s why she never told her about Prime Respite.

“By the way, aren’t you like thirty-three by now Sister Gvozdika?”

Gvozdika raises an eyebrow. “I don’t like where this is going.”

“No marriage plans?”

“Cease, Sister Caitlyn.”

“You’re getting old, sister.”

Gvozdika sighs and glances away. “You’re making me anxious.”

“Ah, sorry.” Caitlyn grabs her arms from behind. “You still look young and beautiful to me.”

As they climb the road leading to their mansion, they see an unacquainted black car sitting in front of the gate. There are two persons standing near the car, a man and an old woman. The man is busy with his utilizer. Meanwhile the old woman seems to be talking to Ilya on the other side of the gate. Caitlyn and Gvozdika glance at each other before hastening their pace. She watches Gvozdika’s relaxed face quickly turns vigilant. The woman seems ready to beat someone if she has to.

The man shuts his utilizer as he sees them approaching. He pats the old woman’s shoulder and points to their direction. The old woman smiles at them.

“Good morning.” Gvozdika greets them. “What’s your occasion here, fine lady and gentleman?”

The old woman lifts her hat. “Good morning. There’s a few matters that I’d like to talk with you.” She speaks like an early morning dew falling into a lake. The gentleness of her voice is pleasant to listen to.

“Straight away, please.”

“Very well.” The old woman nods. “People call me Mrs. Lena these days. I hope you can do the same.” She smiles.

Caitlyn mumbles her name. “Do you happen to be Valeska Helena, the founder of Prime Respite?”

Mrs. Lena chuckles at Caitlyn. “Yes I am, dear.”

“Impossible.” Gvozdika shakes her head. “If you’re here now, the agreement dictated that we won’t have to pay you anymore.”

Mrs. Lena nods. “It’s indeed my decision.”

Caitlyn and Gvozdika share an awkward glance. It sounds too good to be true. The company just suddenly decides to get their grip off of them. And it comes from the founder herself.

“Actually, it’s my son’s decision here to break the agreement.” Mrs. Lena points at the man beside her. The man bows to Gvozdika and Caitlyn. “I’m no longer the CEO, he is. I just asked him to visit this place for the business.”

“And that is?” Gvozdika asks.

“I’d like to apologize for what my company did to you. At least I’m glad that they had yet to get their hands on your properties.” Mrs. Lena explains. “You’re not the first to suffer from our malicious deeds. My officials craved for profit with each passing day since I retired. My son struggled to control them. The Primus eventually got sick of our harmful practice. He decreed a week ago to yield the company’s ownership to the state.”

Caitlyn rubs her chin. “Isn’t that going to inflict some losses to you?”

“My son had negotiated with him. The Primus will cover them only if we return all the properties we’ve unrightfully seized, pay expenses, let go all our claims through shady agreements—such as this mansion, and state a face-to-face apology to every one of our victims.”

“You’re taking part in the apology as well.” Gvozdika comments.

“Correct.” Mrs. Lena nods. She takes a deep breath, depressing her gaze. Her face suddenly becomes gloomy. “Again, I’m sorry that it happened to you. It was not what I had envisioned. And here I am laboring again to right their wrong. I have to do it. If I don’t, then my son’s subordinates will have excuses to run away.”

Caitlyn half-smiles, not knowing what to feel. On one hand she can’t be happier due to the lifting of their financial pressure. But on the other is a tragic tale of a company beset by the greed of their officials. Gvozdika remains indifferent. She must be feeling the same as well. As much as Caitlyn love to cheer as loud as she could, Mrs. Lena is currently drenched in deep regret. It would be an inappropriate thing to do.

“By the way, Mrs. Lena.” Caitlyn raises her hand.

“Yes, dear?”

“You should have a list of places that you plan to visit, right? How did ours make it?”

“That’s unnecessary, Sister Caitlyn.”

“I’m just curious.”

Mrs. Lena chuckles. “I was told that this orphanage employs maid uniform. So, it has to be on my list.” The old woman gestures at Gvozdika. “Reminds me of the times when I was one.”

Gvozdika looks down at her uniform. “Where did you serve?”

“Creatio Genetrix.”

The capital of the Artificial Creationist; The shining beacon of their technological enterprise.

“Must be exhausting to work there.”

“Work is always exhausting, dear. Especially if you take two shifts to maintain the place.”

“You seem interested, Sister Gvozdika.” Caitlyn chuckles as she teases her.

“Hush, Sister Caitlyn.”

Mrs. Lena eventually waves farewell to them. She returns to the car. Caitlyn feels a bit wrong. It was just not a way to receive guests. But it’s Gvozdika that make all the saying. The woman didn’t let them in to keep the place safe. Mrs. Lena didn’t seem to mind either. She shouldn’t be concerned about it if no one does.

“Mrs. Lena, wait.” Caitlyn halts her as she remembers something.

Mrs. Lena turns around. “Yes, dear?”

“I…” Caitlyn stutters. “I’m actually a huge fan of you. Can I get your autograph please?” Caitlyn gestures at her. “I’ll keep it for myself I promise.”

Mrs. Lena smiles. “Get me a paper please.”

“Right away.”

Ilya opens the gate for Caitlyn to enter. She rushes inside the mansion to grab a sheet of paper. She tears a palm-sized piece out of it, which she then hands to Mrs. Lena. The old woman uses her son’s back as a pad to sign the piece of paper. Caitlyn thanks her after she receives her autograph. Mrs. Lena replies in kind before entering the car.

Her son then approaches Gvozdika once she closes the door for his mother.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” He addresses her. “I have a spare time this evening…” His head nodding, his eyes remain fixated on her. “…and tomorrow, actually this entire week.” He says. “I’d like to have a tea time with you if you are interested.” The man reaches for his pocket. “Here’s my card.”

Gvozdika takes his card. On it is his name and his number. Caitlyn leans closer to her sister and reads it.

1. Kolya Luetzen.

“I…will be waiting for you at the local pub.” He nods before hopping into the car. It then drives down the road and disappears in the distance.

Caitlyn looks up and finds her sister blushing.

“Was that a date invitation?” Gvozdika asks.

“What else could that be?”

“It’s just hard to believe.” Gvozdika glances over the direction the car went.

Caitlyn is delighted. Her sister finally steps into a romantic phase of her life. She just wishes that they’ll take the relationship seriously. Her glowing phase is in its twilight. And a powerful man on her side is a well-earned prize after all the hardships she went through.

“It’s your chance.” She says. “Go see him this evening.”

Gvozdika rubs her temple. “Maybe I will.” She puts the card into her pocket. “By the way, I never knew you adored her.”

“I don’t actually.” Caitlyn smiles.

Gvozdika raises an eyebrow. “I understand that you have to keep a secret. I just hope that it doesn’t harm us all.”

“Trust me it won’t, sister.”

“Anyway,” Gvozdika crosses her arms. “What do you plan to do now? We are no longer under financial pressure. Do you still wish to return to the front?”

Breeze sweeps the valley. She turns her sight to Maya’s Sorrow as her hair flutters. It’s the first time in years she gazes upon it. A peaceful place to live. A settlement that has a certain tomorrow; certainly not seeing a rain of steels in the next twenty-four hours. It feels unreal that there’s an actual war going on in the other side. The sun glazes a clement heat upon the village. Perhaps there are countless children of Maya’s Sorrow who wish for a bright future. Perhaps there is an equal number of adults that don’t want the war to reach their place. But she doesn’t know them. Hence, she doesn’t really care.

Caitlyn turns her gaze back to her sister. There are worries in her glance. She was smiling a few moments ago. Caitlyn pulls it out of her memory and overlay it on her sister’s face. A beautiful smile, so lovely that Caitlyn wishes to see it every day. It eases her in a way that not even PT can do. And now, it drives her to a decision.

“I will return.” She says.

“Addicted to combat, aren’t you?”

“No.” Caitlyn replies. “I fought for the survival of a family that I don’t know much about. Often, I find my reason slips away amidst the heat of battles. But now that I know better…” She raises both of Gvozdika’s hands. “I have a solid reason to return.”

To protect you. To protect your lovely smile that I can’t let go.

“You know I can handle myself, right?”

Caitlyn chuckles. “Sure.” She says. “But against a cruising two-hundred-three-millimeter gun with enough weight to steamroll our mansion like a lawnmower against grasses, I don’t think you’d stand a chance.”

Gvozdika rolls her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Very well, then.” She pulls Caitlyn closer. Her arms wrap around Caitlyn’s head. She plants her lips to her hair.

“By the Primus,” Her sister whispers. “And all the divine powers manifesting in him, hear me. Bless this one, for hard times she has endured. And even harder times she will endure.” Gvozdika strokes Caitlyn’s head gently. “She will be beyond my gaze, beyond my embrace. Yet she will always be within yours. Protect her the way you have protected me. Caress her the way you have caressed me. And don’t let her stray alone in the darkness. Guide her as you have guided me. My gratitude will be ever enormous. Amen. Amen. Amen.” Gvozdika let go.

Caitlyn gazes at her sister’s face in astonishment.

“What was that?”

“Mother’s Prayer. She did the same to me during the last seconds of her life.”

“You’re not going anywhere are you, sister?”

Gvozdika smiles and strokes Caitlyn’s face. “You are.”

Caitlyn smiles back and hugs her again. “I love you, Sister Gvozdika.”

“I love you too, Sister Caitlyn.”

“Caitlyn…” Ilya calls her. “What’s that on your neck?”

Caitlyn let go and looks down. Ilya must be talking about her necklace. She pulls the heart shaped pendant from beneath her uniform.

“It’s uh…a necklace. What do you think?” Caitlyn asks both.

“Where did you get that?” Gvozdika asks.

“Um…my boyfriend gave it to me.”

Ilya is awe-struck. “So, you found your prince already?”

“He’s dead.”

“Oh…” Ilya’s expression turns indifferent quick. “My condolences.”

“May he rest in peace.” Gvozdika follows.

“He does.” Caitlyn nods.

“Can I see that pendant?”

“Go ahead, sister.”

Gvozdika lifts the pendant with her right hand. She runs her left index across it, feeling the texture of the pendant. It doesn’t take long for her to click it open. A picture of a tank shows itself. Her sister frowns looking at it.

“Wait…” Gvozdika strikes a disgusted expression toward Caitlyn.

“Your boyfriend is a tank!?” Ilya exclaims.

Caitlyn smiles shyly as she nods.

Gvozdika sighs. “Love is love, I guess.”

“I should consider this broom my prince from now.” Ilya comments.

“A-anyway,” Caitlyn snatches the pendant and slips it back beneath her uniform again. “Let’s get you two some sweets. I’m buying.” She excitedly says.