In Between Minds: Stretching Out
One small rabbit and two potatoes were hardly a feast but over the past few months I had grown used to living off the land. Grandmother’s pouches held a…
In Between Minds: Two Steps to the Door
I didn’t have much in the way of clothes, just the ones that I’d worn on the trip here and some hand me downs from a girl named Nonna who spent more time away…
In Between Minds: Moment to Moment
After the first bit of instruction I was left alone, presumably at Sofiya’s direction. I wasn’t sure if she was in charge of everything but everyone seemed to…
In Between Minds: Another Piece of the Puzzle
“How many?” I asked, not sure if I was asking how many lived there, or how many I had hurt. Concern radiated from Sofiya. “Does it matter?” “A little.” “Why?”…
In Between Minds: A Sliver of Control
“FOURTEEN! I WAS FOURTEEN!” I screamed. My vision blurred under the onset of tears until the world turned into amorphous blobs that dissolved into explosions…
In Between Minds: Trauma and Despondency
The silence of the last few days was oppressive but now that I had someone to talk to, I didn’t know what to say. I had many questions but emotionally, I felt…
In Between Minds: Gloom Above and Below
Constant rain turned the snow into slush. It made for hard going. I walked on the train tracks whenever necessary, using the solid ground as a reprieve from…
In Between Minds: Emotional Debris
I stumbled around for hours, trying to get away from the train and Kseinya. Need dictated my actions and I needed to be somewhere else. There was too much to…
In Between Minds: Facing the Storm
Can we trick her? I don’t know. Val’s voice was dubious. It’d be like tricking yourself- difficult but not impossible. Well we have to try something! I…
In Between Minds: Desperation
Martin’s voice was firm. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. There’s no place for you. Uncontrolled, emotional-” Staring down the sleek chrome of the gun barrel, I tried…
In Between Minds: When Walls Crumble
The noise after the silence was jarring- a thousand angry bees invading my mind. Without the need for walls to keep the constant noise of people at bay, the…
In Between Minds: An Unbalancing Act
The train began to pick up speed as it left the station. It wasn’t packed, but more passengers rode with us than before. That thought gave me some comfort…
In Between Minds: Setting the Scene
The door slid open and the Polkovnik was shoved roughly inside by the taller of the two guards who had been stationed outside his compartment. I gave orders…
In Between Minds- Final Preparations
“Our choices are limited but this does have the advantage of being a kind of final test. I need you to understand that we have made an effort to stay out of…
In Between Minds- Distorted Revelations
The door slammed open. ‘Sir’ stood there scowling. His jacket bulged making me suspect he had retrieved his gun. “Plans have changed. You’ve seen what we…
In Between Minds- Precipice of Responsibility
The closer I got to the door, the slower I moved. A few feet from it, I stopped entirely. “If tying up loose ends is rule two, then what is rule one?” “Why…
In Between Minds: Dreams and Nightmares
As the steward backed out, Kseniya reached into her pocket and gave him a handful of money. If that was the tip, then how much had the food cost? The math was…
In Between Minds: Abatement
The solyanka was thicker than I was used to, almost like porridge, but the delicate balance of spicy, sweet, and sour was perfect. I felt some of my lost…
In Between Minds: Disconcerting Revelations
Several piles of clothes in various cuts and sizes had been provided. I started getting dressed, selecting pieces for durability and warmth. I never wanted to…
In Between Minds: Moment of Renewal
I had so many questions but the other voice didn’t respond to them. I didn’t know if it was ignoring me or gone. Was I getting crazier? Sometimes that happened…