Alina was still holding Tatiana tightly on the couch when she suddenly froze.
The two girls had remained in that position for a while after the news broadcast. Tatiana’s crying had slowed into occasional sniffles while Alina gently rubbed circles on her back. The television was still on, reporters discussing the scandal that had just erupted across the country. Experts were arguing over how long Governor Vladimir had hidden the truth while breaking news banners flashed across the screen nonstop.
Then Alina heard it.
A strange sound.
Creak.
Creak.
Thump.
Her brows furrowed.
Tatiana noticed imdiately.
"What is it?"
Alina slowly lifted her head, her eyes drifting toward the direction of the backyard.
"I think..." she started before stopping herself.
There it was again.
Creak.
A dull sound followed by what sounded like sothing heavy shifting against wood.
The color slowly faded from Alina’s face.
"Did you hear that?"
Tatiana wiped at her red eyes before lifting her head. Her enhanced senses picked up the disturbance instantly now that she focused.
She slowly pulled away from Alina.
"I heard it."
The two girls stared at each other.
Tatiana’s voice was still slightly shaky from crying.
"We should check that out."
Alina swallowed before forcing out a small chuckle.
"Y-Yeah."
Neither of them looked particularly convinced.
The apartnt suddenly felt too quiet.
The warm atmosphere from monts ago had vanished.
Alina stood first.
Tatiana followed behind her.
They moved carefully through the apartnt, their footsteps slow against the wooden floor. The television voices faded into the background as they approached the back door.
Creak.
The sound ca again.
Alina hesitated with her hand resting on the doorknob.
"You open it," she whispered.
Tatiana stared at her.
"You live here."
"You have superpowers."
Tatiana looked away.
"...Don’t we both have?."
Taking a deep breath, Tatiana reached forward and slowly pushed the back door open.
Cool evening air drifted inside imdiately.
The backyard was quiet.
Too quiet.
For a few seconds, nothing seed out of place.
The old tree stood near the back fence.
The flower pots remained untouched.
The wooden bench sat exactly where Alina always left it.
Then their eyes shifted upward.
And both girls froze.
A strangled sound escaped Alina’s throat.
Tatiana stopped breathing.
A man hung from the large tree.
No.
Not hung peacefully.
He was still alive.
A thick rope dug deeply into the flesh around his neck as his heavy body struggled against gravity. His expensive clothes were wrinkled and stained.
His broken legs kicked weakly beneath him.
His fingers clawed desperately at the rope cutting into his throat.
Wet choking sounds escaped his mouth.
"Ghk... ghk..."
His face had turned an ugly shade of purple.
His eyes bulged from their sockets.
The sheer weight of his fat body only made the rope bite deeper into his neck with every desperate movent.
The image was horrifying.
And yet...
Tatiana recognized him instantly.
Governor Vladimir.
The man who destroyed her life.
The man who murdered her father.
The man who nearly destroyed her childhood completely.
Alina covered her mouth.
"Oh my God..."
Tatiana said nothing.
Slowly, she stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
The grass beneath her feet crunched softly.
The governor noticed movent.
His bloodshot eyes shifted downward.
They widened imdiately.
Even through the swelling around his face and the tears running from his eyes, recognition appeared instantly.
Tatiana.
His body jerked violently.
"Ghk...!"
He stretched one trembling hand toward her.
His fingers shook.
His arm extended weakly.
He struggled desperately as though begging.
Begging for help.
Begging for rcy.
Begging to be saved.
Tatiana stopped directly in front of him.
She looked up.
Her face was completely calm.
No tears.
No trembling.
No pity.
The governor’s hand reached toward her again.
The sa hand that had helped destroy her life.
The sa hand attached to the man who had smiled while taking everything from her.
Tatiana stared into his eyes.
She saw fear.
True fear.
The sa fear twelve-year-old Tatiana had experienced all those years ago.
He wanted her compassion.
He wanted saving.
Slowly...
Tatiana spat onto the ground.
The saliva landed near his dangling feet.
Disgust filled her voice.
"You don’t deserve it."
The governor’s eyes widened further.
For several seconds, his body continued struggling.
Then...
His movents slowed.
The desperate kicking weakened.
His extended hand slowly fell back toward his side.
His fingers twitched once.
Twice.
Then stopped completely.
His body hung motionless.
The backyard beca silent.
The governor’s eyes remained open.
Even in death, pain and terror remained frozen inside them.
Alina couldn’t move.
Tatiana stood there quietly.
She expected happiness.
Celebration.
Triumph.
Instead...
Relief washed over her.
A crushing weight she had carried for twelve years suddenly vanished.
The little girl inside her finally stopped running.
A soft breeze drifted through the backyard.
Tatiana blinked.
Then froze.
Soone stood behind her.
She turned imdiately.
Alina gasped.
Liam.
He stood a short distance away between the two girls.
His expression was calm.
No dramatic entrance.
No smile.
Just quiet understanding.
For a second, Tatiana stared at him.
Then all restraint disappeared.
She ran.
Before Liam could even process what was happening, Tatiana threw herself into his arms.
Liam stumbled slightly.
"Huh?"
His eyes widened.
Tatiana buried her face against his chest.
Neither of them spoke.
Liam slowly lifted his hands before gently hugging her back.
One hand rested against her back.
The other patted her softly.
"It’s okay," he said quietly.
Tatiana trembled.
The tears returned.
Not from sadness.
Not from grief.
But from gratitude.
After several monts, she slowly pulled away.
Her cheeks flushed red.
Liam looked down at her.
"You alright?"
Tatiana nodded.
Then shook her head.
Then nodded again.
Liam looked confused.
Before he could say anything else, Tatiana suddenly rose onto her toes.
Her lips pressed softly against his cheek.
A quick kiss.
Warm.
Gentle.
Sincere.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Liam froze.
His eyes blinked once.
Twice.
Then a small smile spread across his face.
"You don’t have to thank ."
But Tatiana simply shook her head.
"You listened when I didn’t even say anything"
Liam looked at her quietly.
Then the breeze returned.
Before either girl could react, Liam disappeared.
Along with him...
Governor Vladimir’s body vanished too.
The tree stood empty.
As though nothing had happened.
Alina stared blankly.
Tatiana blinked.
"...Did that just happen?"
Alina suddenly snapped out of her daze.
"Oh my God!"
She grabbed Tatiana’s wrist.
"Hurry! Get inside before soone sees us!"
Tatiana barely had ti to react before being dragged back toward the apartnt.
The back door slamd shut behind them.
Both girls leaned against it.
Breathing heavily.
Silence filled the living room.
Then Alina slowly looked toward Tatiana.
Tatiana looked different.
The sadness that always lingered deep within her eyes had faded.
For the first ti in years...
She looked lighter.
More certain.
More alive.
Almost as though she had finally allowed herself to move forward.
Tatiana suddenly pushed away from the door.
Alina blinked.
"Tatty?"
Tatiana placed a finger against her chin thoughtfully.
"What do you think I should make for him?"
Alina stared.
"Huh?"
Tatiana’s cheeks turned pink.
"Should I bake him a cake?"
She hesitated.
Then looked down shyly.
"Or cookies?"
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