This chapter is set three months after the previous chapter. We're going to get information of Anya's time in Perm (both as an orphan and working at the orphanage) and Gleb's relationship with his mother. Thank you all so much for reading this! I love you guys so much!

PS. For Gleb's part, listen to "Proud of Your Boy" from Aladdin the Musical for that vibe.


Anya tossed and turned in her sleep, as the horror movie in her mind played out. The screams resounded in the hall. She looked at the end of the door as a warm light shone through. Immediately seeking the chance to escape, Anya ran as fast as she could. However, after the sense of safety, a man snuck up behind her and shot her. Soon after, she let out a bloodcurdling scream as Anya jolted out from her bed; to her surprise, the children around her didn't stir from her cry of terror. Panting from fear, she began to cry silently to herself.

Soon after, Nurse Alisa; the same woman to tended to Anya the day she came, came into the room upon hearing Anya's loud scream.

"Anya! Are you alright? Were you hurt?"

The frightened girl immediately buried her head into Nurse Alisa's chest as she burst into heart-wrenching sobs. The woman, who was fond of Anya herself and treated her like the daughter she never had; soothed the terrified seventeen-year-old, stroking her comfortingly and whispering words of comfort into her ear. "Shh, shh Anya. It's okay dear."

Anya continued to hug Nurse Alisa, feeling her eyes droop as the latter hummed to her softly and gently. Anya soon found herself falling asleep in Nurse Alisa's arms. With a gentle smile, she whispered to the mother she seemingly never had "Good night, mother…"

Nurse Alisa smiled as the dainty girl fell asleep. She decided to let Anya sleep in her embrace for a while, and she would leave her to sleep peacefully later. She smiled and tenderly kissed Anya's head.

"Good night, my dear."


The funeral of Roman Vaganov was held on a grey Sunday morning. In attendance was his beloved wife, Lyeta and their illegitimate son, Gleb. He had committed suicide a week ago just by shooting himself, Gleb despised him even more for being selfish, almost not caring for his surviving son and his frail wife! The stares and glares at Gleb were like daggers and knives cutting into the young man. The preacher concluded the end of the funeral with the usual, solemn sigh of respect "May Roman Vaganov, rest in peace."

Lyeta looked down in shame and tried to hold a brave frontier as she wove through the crowd who whispered about her and the illegitimate son she had, along with her husband's heinous acts. Gleb was now the only one who would be able to take care of his slowly ailing mother. He had to be strong for her sake! He had to… or else, he'd have to survive alone… someday, he'll prove to those who dared to look down at him and his mother that they were just like them! Somehow… he'll make them proud of her boy...


Yeah, the final line was kind of borrowed from "Proud of Your Boy". In my headcanon, Gleb had a strained relationship with his dad but was close to his mother. But... more on that in a few chapters once I get to show how Anya left the orphanage. I promise one chapter would be dedicated to Gleb's backstory, his family background and how he had a part in helping Anya out.