Alexei
I woke up screaming and crying, beside myself with grief and fear.
My mom ran in and wrapped me in her arms, rocking me as if I was still five years old, shushing me and kissing away my tears.
"Mom…Mom…Ana…she can't be dead," I finally managed through my tears.
"No Alexei," my mother replied softly, fighting off her own tears. "You're okay, you're okay…shh…it was only a nightmare."
Only a nightmare.