46

SASHA A low ache starts at the back of my skull and then spreads all down my spine. However, the pain pales in comparison to the scene in front of me. I’m in a vast white field, frozen in place, as heavy snow blows over my coat and hair. When I look down, Mike stares at me with blood tears in his eyes. The view is gruesome in the otherwise white surroundings. I try to reach out for his little face and wipe away the blood, but I can’t move. His small hands grab onto my coat as he whispers in a frighteningly haunting tone, “Save me, Sasha.” I startle awake, breathing heavily as sweat covers my skin. “Mishka…” I murmur, then frantically study my surroundings. There’s no indication that my baby cousin would magically appear and offer me his gummy smile that makes everything better. Instead, I find myself in a familiar minimalistic bedroom. I look down and see that I’m in a loose T-shirt instead of the white shirt and jacket. “You don’t look like yourself, Sasha.” I slowly sit up against th