“Sir, that’s the shortened version. Anything more is…is…I can see you care about…please, don’t make me.” She met my eyes, and that was when I saw she was holding back. She was shielding me. Doc took my arm, and I thanked her before we turned to leave.
“Excuse me, may I ask a question?”
I didn’t trust myself to speak, so I nodded.
“I know you said we leave in the morning, but can we say goodbye to Spring? I’m sorry, I meant to say…please, can Autumn, Summer, and I have your permission to say goodbye?”
“Of course. But I’m sorry, the sedative has her completely knocked out. She won’t remember,” Doc advised her.
The teenager nodded and stood. She headed for the hall and went quietly to each of the other doors, gathering the girls. Doc and I watched as they seemed to instinctively follow Savannah without exchanging any words. Then she finally spoke to them.
“We knew this day would come when we’d have to say goodbye. Autumn, you can go first,” Savannah said. The dark-haired girl blinked, and a tear slid down her cheek.
Doc and I walked her into the room. Mischa looked small in the enormous bed. Autumn climbed onto it next to her and pushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. She leaned in and whispered something to her, and the tail end was the only thing I heard. “So, so sorry.”
Then she leaped off the bed and ran from the room, tears streaming down her pale face. She brushed past the other two girls and quietly closed her bedroom door.
Summer came in next. She walked over and stood next to the sleeping girl, then looked at Doc. “May I please kiss her cheek?”
Doc nodded, trying to remain stoic, but the tears welled in her eyes.
“I’ll never forget you. Not ever. You’ll always be the little dancing mouse named Mischa Natalya to me.” She then kissed her on the cheek and sobbed before walking away.
Shortly after, Winter approached the bed. She knelt down and took Mischa’s hand in hers. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t strong enough to protect you. You didn’t deserve any of what happened to you. I hope we get a chance to meet again someday, but if we don’t, I…” Her voice broke, and she sniffled as her own tears finally fell.
She let out a heavy breath and finished her statement, her voice stronger now. “I love you, sweet sister. Always and forever, to the moon and back.”
Mischa stirred and murmured in her sleep.
“Shh. It’s all gonna be okay now. I have a good feeling.” She traced her cheek lovingly, and Mischa sighed in her sleep.
The Next Morning
The other girls had left over two hours ago, and Mischa still slept. I’d kept vigil by her bed, waiting for her to wake up. When she slowly stirred and cried out, Doc rushed over to assist her. I left the room, giving them some privacy, and waited for them to join me at the kitchen table.
“Good morning—” My mouth went to form her name, but then I remembered her reaction and halted.
We’d have to come up with a new name for her, anyway, in order to put the plan I had in motion. I’d thought about it for hours last night and had decided I’d let her pick it on her own.
“Remember what I told you earlier?” Doc spoke calmly to her, and Mischa nodded.
“Good morning, Sir.”
“Please, call me Owen.” I smiled. She looked at Doc.
“It’s okay. It’s going to take some time for you, and that’s all right. Owen here is exceptionally good at being patient, aren’t you, Taylor?” Doc stated, her expression telling me she’d fill me in later.
“Come have a seat. I’ll make pancakes. Do you still like pancakes?” I asked.
“I…uh…I—How do you know I like pancakes?” Her eyes grew enormous.
“Well, that’s the thing. I have so much to tell you. I’m not sure where to start.”
“Are you my Master? I’ve not completed my training. I’m afraid I’ll be a disappointment.” She visibly shuddered.
“Taylor…” Doc shook her head. The girl who once was so full of life stood before me shaking, her face draining of all color.
“Oh, god no, child. Nothing like that.” I moved farther away to give her some space. She started breathing heavily, and a look of pure terror filled her eyes.
