The Cold North

Page 2

"Ah, mother Russia!" Chloe said dramatically as we finally landed in Omsk.

Miranda and I weren't so enthusiastic about it. We were nearly toppling over each other as we wandered around the airport. We had no clue where we were going because none of us could speak or read Russian. This is the last time my parents send me off to a foreign country.

"Where are we going?" Chloe finally answered.

"Baggage claim? Wherever the hell that is." I answered and craned my neck to see over the stupid people in front of us. They suddenly stopped, crowding around a phone or camera or something, blocking the whole hall. "Excuse me." I said loudly and plowed through them. I was in no mood to deal with people.

We finally found baggage claim, but our flights stuff wouldn't be out until this one was done, and it had just started. We leaned against a pole and alternated between talking and glaring into nothingness. Chloe was pretty tired, but more slaphappy than anything. Miranda and I had crossed the bridge long ago.

"Sophia!" I jumped at the call, as did a few people around me. Chloe nearly had a heart attack. I looked to my right and saw a man who couldn't have been much older than me lowering his hands. Next to him was my aunt, waving at us enthusiastically. I smile and waved back before walking over to her, Chloe and Miranda followed me.

"Sophia, you're so grown up!" Aunt Ellie gushed expectantly as she hugged me tightly. "And you must be Miranda and Chloe." She said and then hugged them as well. "How were the flights?" She asked hopefully.

"Horrible." I answered with a grimace. The man who had called for me chuckled. Oh yeah, it was sooo hilarious.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Aunt Ellie said and pursed her lips before realizing something. "Where is your coat?" She questioned almost in shock.

"Funny story, it was stolen in Alaska so...I don't have one." I answered, still rather angry about it. It was a good coat and I loved it...that and it was expensive.

"Viktor, give Sophia your coat will you?" She said, staring up at the tall, muscular man next to her. He stared at her blankly as if he hadn't understood what she said. "I'm serious! Do you want her to get hypothermia on her first day in Russia?" He shrugged and looked away casually.

Aunt Ellie's temper flared and she got on her toes to smack the back of his head. He let out a breath through his nose and took off his heavy, brown coat. He thrust it at me and I took it with selective eye contact. Even in my hands the coat was heavy. Once I put it on I found that it was about four sizes too big and smelled of toxic cologne. I had to refrain from pressing my face into it and inhaling until I was dizzy.