Galina "Red" Reznikov was not a woman to be trifled with. Every girl in Litchfield knew at least that much.
Especially not today.
Red charged into the barracks, giving off an air that would cause the most macho of men to shrink back in fear. The girls gave her wide berth, eyes frantically flickering to each other. Even the guards tensed up and watched as Red stopped at Nicky's bunk.
Feeling a thousand pairs of eyes focused on her every move, Red took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold.
Nothing had been touched. No one dared to move a single item, fearing the wrath of the angry Russian, who promised punishment beyond comprehension.
Red sat at the edge of the cot, taking in the familiar surroundings and a pang of unimaginable grief coursed through her.
Her baby. They took her baby.
Smoothing out the ratty blanket, her hand grazed over a small lump under the mattress. A notebook, maybe?
Red gingerly plucked it out and stared at it. Flipping it open, she both chuckled and inwardly grimaced at its contents.
Nicky, Nicky, Nicky.
Her daughter's scribbling script made the ache inside her worsen, picturing the curly headed woman laid out on the bed, methodically adding entries about her… hobby.
Red tossed the notebook on the cot as she stood, which missed the edge by a narrow margin and landed with a thud on the floor. A small collection of well hidden papers spewed out from within the notebook and Red raised a quizzical eyebrow. Glancing at them, she felt the blood drain from her face and she froze.
These were letters. And they were for her. She carefully put the dated letters in order and began to read:
Red,
I found the mother lode. My hands are shaking just thinking about the rush I could get. Or the money! But I won't do it. Me and Boo got a plan. I think it could work.
Nicky
Red,
I did something bad. I know you'd be so fucking disappointed in me if you knew. But I moved the stash, took it right out from under Boo's nose. I just couldn't stand to get rid of it. My entire body is shaking, it aches Mom! I want it so fucking bad. This little bag is so close to ripping apart two years of sobriety and for what? But I have never been so tempted. I don't know how much longer I can hold on for. But I wanna make you proud.
Nicky
Red,
It's gone! It's fucking gone! Luschek is so pissed at me. That's what he gets for trusting a junkie, he says. We were so close, so damn close. It was gonna be away from me and getting us both cash- and no small amount of it either! The fucking meth heads got a hold of it and now I'm screwed. There goes quick cash, Luschek doesn't trust me anymore (which I really don't give a shit about but still), and I get to see those backwards ass hillbillies walking around high as a kite. Luschek had a seller set up and everything. He's PISSED. He said he's going to try and get it back, so maybe we still have a shot. Either way, you'd still be disappointed in me, but hell, maybe it's a good thing it's gone. It's out of my hair anyhow.
Nicky
Red,
Luschek got the shit back. Looks like that plans a go! Finally, finally, it is gone! It's out and away from me and I didn't break. I so wanted to. I thought I was going to. But I didn't. I made it Mom! I did it!
Nicky
A single tear slid down the Russian's pale face, and a collective gasp of horror resonated throughout the barracks.
Taking out a red pen from amongst Nicky's belongings, she flipped to the first open page and began to write:
Nicky,
You fucked up. It happens. Yet there is not one woman in this hellhole who tries as hard as you do. I have felt your struggles, seen your victories, and watched you overcome many obstacles. The path you're on isn't an easy one. The temptation and urge will always be there. But you have come so far from that moment where you fell into my arms sobbing with the pains and despair of withdrawal. But from that moment when I comforted you, I knew in that instant that you were mine- my daughter. The one I never had. Though you didn't come from my womb, you are my child, and I am your mother. I don't believe in coddling or bragging or doling out empty praise- it isn't the Russian way- but you make me so proud. I could not love you more if you were of my blood. The thought of you wasting away in max is enough to make my heart of stone bleed- but don't be afraid, Nicole. Because a mother never forgets her children. A mother never gives up on her children, or abandons them. A mother fights for her child. I'm coming, Nicky. Soon you will be back with me, where you belong.
Your mamochka
Red put the letters back in and laid the notebook on the bed, standing with her back straight as an arrow. Her eyes scanned the still room, taking in the faces of the apprehensive women who watched her with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
She strode out of the room with renewed vigor, mind whirring at her new plan. The grief and pain of watching her baby hauled off to max, thinking she had relapsed, had been replaced with a tidal wave of fury and vengeance.
Luschek pays. Pornstache will look like a small child's prank compare to what I will do to him. Luschek. Will. Pay.
"What are you gonna do, Red?" Lorna's broken voice popped up from behind her, and she turned to look into the smaller woman's red-rimmed brown eyes.
"What am I going to do? I'm going to get my daughter back."
And with that, the Russian swept from the room.