Updating again already because the first chapter wasn't much to go on and, well, because I can. Enjoy.
Ima was sad again. Tali could tell. Ima told her that today she was one! Doda Nettie, Shmeil, and Orli had come today, and she got lots of hugs and kisses, along with a bunch of brightly colored boxes with toys inside! Tali was smiling a lot, but sometimes she would look at Ima and Ima would wipe a tear from her face.
"Ima," Tali called out, crawling her way to her and standing so their faces met. Tali smiled and placed her tiny hand on Ima's face, brushing a few strands of hair out of her eyes in the process. This didn't seem to help. It did the opposite, in fact, and Shmeil had to come comfort Ima while Doda Nettie played with Tali and all her new toys.
Later that day, Tali got to show everybody how she could walk! She had been trying for days, and everyone clapped their hands when she finally managed to make her way from the couch to Ima's open arms. Tali grinned, and Ima smiled warmly before turning her face away.
"My tateleh," Ima said, running her hand through Tali's hair, "You are growing up too fast."
-.-.-
The cooler season passed, and now it was starting to get hot outside again. Sometimes, Ima took Tali to the beach, and they always had so much fun. They played in the sand, and Tali even found some colorful fish in the water! She pointed at them and Ima told her what they were called in English. Tali repeated after her, the new words sounding funny on her tongue.
Tali was getting very good at running around. Ima said that she would give her Abba a run for his money, but Tali didn't know what that meant. It sounded silly, though. Tali always made sure not to run too far from Ima. One time she lost sight of Ima, and she was very, very scared. She never wanted Ima to go away like that again.
-.-.-
"Lai-tov, Abba!" Tali said cheerily, looking up at Ima for confirmation that she had said it right. She was getting better at saying words!
Ima smiled and nodded. "Yes, Tali. That is right. Layla tov."
Tali clapped her hands and reached out for the picture frame that Ima was holding so she could give Abba her goodnight kiss. Ima wiped Tali's slobber off the frame with a soft chuckle before slowly moving her own lips to the frame, a far off look shining in her eyes as she placed a gentle kiss on the photograph. Tali giggled. She wasn't tired yet, but Ima looked exhausted.
They settled back into the rocking chair so that Ima could sing her one last lullaby before going to bed. She had the voice of an angel. Tali loved her songs. They made her feel safe and warm.
Ima seemed a little tense tonight. Her embrace seemed tighter and less relaxed than usual, but Tali didn't think much of it. Instead, she snuggled into her chest even tighter, breathing in the calming scent of Ima as she let herself fall asleep, a tiny smile gracing her face.
She barely noticed when Ima put her in the crib. She heard the sound of drawers sliding open and shut and the closet door opening. What was Ima doing? She opened her eyes when Ima slid Kelev out of her tight grip, protesting the loss of her doggy.
"Shh, my love," Ima whispered, running her hand softly through Tali's thick curls. "Go back to sleep." With that, she placed a kiss on Tali's head, and Tali allowed her eyes to close again, content with the presence of Ima instead of Kelev for tonight. Before she fell asleep, she heard a bag being zipped shut and the door to her room open. She was sure that Ima had whispered something to her, but she wasn't sure what it was. She seemed to stand there watching over Tali for a while, before finally turning and leaving the room.
Ani ohevet otcha, Ima. I love you too.
-.-.-
Tali was scared. There was a bright orange light coming from underneath her bedroom door, and the house was really loud. She couldn't see Ima.
She climbed over the railing in her crib and hopped to the floor. "My little ninja," Ima would always say, shaking her head whenever Tali would escape her crib, but today Ima was nowhere to be seen. A big black cloud was filling her room, and it made it hard for Tali to see.
Tears filled her eyes as she flopped to the floor, her screams cancelled out by the roaring sound the house was making. It was getting hotter, too. Why was it so hot?
Finally the door was blasted open and somebody came in. Tali couldn't see who it was, but she hoped they would make the roaring stop. She refused to open her eyes as the person came to her aid. Her hands covered her ears as she screamed for Ima to come save her. She screamed for Abba to save her, but Abba was gone. He wasn't on her bedside table anymore.
The person carried Tali quickly to the window, opening it all the way so that they could squeeze through. The night air was cold, compared to the hot house, but Tali could finally breathe. Her eyes were still squeezed shut. She was afraid to open them, afraid to see what monster was devouring her house. Gentle hands placed her in a stroller. She could hear crying that wasn't her own as the person that had rescued her wrapped her in a hug. If the person had smelled different, Tali would have said that the person that rescued her WAS Ima. But before she knew it, the arms that had been wrapped around her were gone, and she was left feeling even colder and even more afraid than before.
She couldn't see anything as the stroller rolled through the night, bumping over rocks and tree roots. At last, she succumbed to her need for sleep. Her lungs were tired from all the screaming and not being able to breathe, and her face was sticky from all the tears.
Where she was going, she didn't know. Did it matter? It was probably just a bad dream. That was it. Ima would be there soon to wake her up. Then they would have breakfast and play all sorts of games like she had promised to the night before. Ima would be there soon. Ima would be there.
-.-.-
Ima was not there.
When Tali woke up from her deep, fitful sleep, she was in a strange looking tube-shaped room, with lots and lots of chairs. It was kind of like a car, but much, much longer. She looked around, attempting to take in her surroundings, when finally she saw a familiar face. It was Orli.
"Ima?" Tali questioned, drawing Orli's attention to her.
Orli looked sadly at Tali with pursed lips. Tali's brows furrowed. Why wouldn't Orli tell her where Ima was?
"Ima has gone away, Tali," Orli said at last.
Tali didn't understand. Gone away where? When would she be back?
"IMA," Tali demanded, louder this time, causing several strangers nearby to turn their heads at her. Orli looked around uncomfortably, drawing Tali close in an attempt to soothe her. Her hugs weren't nearly as good as Ima's, and Tali began to cry.
Her cries quickly turned into screams. She screamed for Ima, but Orli hardly spoke to her for the rest of the trip. She simply shushed her and tried to calm Tali. After a while, Orli deposited Tali into the arms of somebody Tali didn't know. She must have been friends with Orli, because they talked for a little while before falling silent. This new person wasn't very good at hugging either. Tali just wanted her Ima. But Orli said Ima was gone.
Again, reviews are very very very much appreciated. Yes, even constructive criticism. That's the good stuff.
Thanks for reading!
~NCIS Obsession