The Strange and Beautiful Places

Chapter 2

As Nadia stared down at the hot cup of coffee someone had just placed in her hands, she couldn't help but wonder if the past hour had all been a dream. She had no clue what the hell was going on and no one had really told her when they had taken her against her will to the police station. Why the hell was she here? And what did her dad do that was so bad?

Whatever her dad had done, she hoped that he could get it all straightened out, so they could go home. That's all she really wanted was to home and return to her life like nothing had happened. Unfortunately fate had other plans, because when that detective entered the room her life had changed forever. She just didn't know it yet.

The door opened and Nadia's eyes shot up as she looked up to see a woman around the age of thirty stare back at her. The woman had long blonde hair that reached down to her back and these kind blue eyes. If she hadn't ruined Nadia's life she might have liked this detective a little more, but as soon as the woman sat down she knew that her life was never going to be the same again. She wasn't going home. She would never go home again.

"Hello Nadia, my name is Detective Lexi Branson. I know you're confused as to what is happening, but I've come in here to straighten a few details out."

Nadia lifted one eyebrow. "Like telling me why the hell you sent a SWAT team after my dad. He's done nothing wrong! Why am I here? Where is he? Can I see him?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea Nadia."

"Why not?"

Lexi gave her a sad smile and reached her hand across the table putting it over Nadia's as if trying to comfort her about something. Nadia would have moved her hand if she wasn't so confused. Why did this detective think she was a child who needed comfort? All she wanted to know is why she couldn't go see her dad? What had he done that was so bad?

"I want you to prepare yourself Nadia, because what I'm about to tell you won't be easy. As a matter of fact It'll be very hard for you to comprehend at first, but I promise you that you will get through this. There will be people there to help you through this and It's all going to be okay eventually."

"What the hell are you taking about?"

Lexi took in a deep breath and reached into the file she had been holding taking out three pictures. Nadia looked at her in puzzlement.

"Do you recognize these people?"

Nadia's eyebrows went up as she looked down at the photos. The first photo was of a woman who looked to be in her early to mid thirties. She had long brown hair that curled and brown eyes that looked familiar to Nadia. She just couldn't place where she had seen those eyes before.

"It may sound strange, but the eyes kind of look familiar. I feel like I've seen her before but I'm not sure where."

She looked down at the other photo. The man here also looked like he was in his mid thirties. Maybe slightly older than the woman, but not by much. He looked like a man who was kind though with his sandy brown hair that looked like superhero hair and kind green eyes.

"I haven't seen this guy before though."

She looked at the last photo and almost chocked on air. It felt like all the air had left her body as she looked at the couple holding a baby. A bay that looked all too familiar.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?"

"Nadia-"

"Why is this woman holding a baby that looks almost exactly like me? Is she a sibling that I don;t know about?"

"I'm afraid not Nadia."

"No, No that can't be. This baby can't be me."

"Nadia, I told you this would be hard news to process. Just try to remain calm and I'll tell you everything."

Nadia shook her head. She couldn't believe this. Hell she didn't want to believe this. All she wanted was to run put of that room and go to her dad. This was all just a big coincidence that she looked like that child. There was no way that her dad could be as cruel as these people were implying. But for some reason something kept her there. Something kept her interested in hearing this story.

"This woman right here is Katerina Petrova and this man right here is Stefan Salvatore. They live in Bulgaria-"

"Than this is all a mistake. I doubt I was born there. I mean I have a slight accent, but that's because of my father."

"Did your father ever tell you where he was from?"

"It never came up in conversations at the dinner table. My father is a very private man."

"And why do you think that was?"

"I don't know. What are you trying to tell me that I was adopted or something, because I'm pretty sure they just can't take me away from my father if that's the case. And they sure as hell wouldn't send a SWAT team after him."

"You're right they wouldn't if you were adopted Nadia."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Katerina and Stefan had a daughter. Her name was Nadia Petrova."

"It's just a coincidence than. Can I go home now?"

"Your father was their friend. Nadia."

"No. He wasn't. He couldn't be."

"He had just lost his wife and unborn baby in a car crash."

"Shut up."

"There's no easy way to tell you this Nadia. They've been looking for your father there for years, because one night when Stefan was at work. He broke into their home, took a knife from the kitchen, stabbed Katerina twice in the back and took you from your crib. We still don't know how he managed to smuggle you out of the country and to the United States, but he did. And than after all these years we've finally found you."

The color drained from Nadia's face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her father could never such vile things.

"Your wrong."

"I wish I was Nadia, but your father fits their description and they had a photo of him from before. I wish I had better news for you, but life is just going to get harder from here."

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Stefan and Katerina want you back Nadia. They want to spend as much time with you as possible."

"When are they coming here?"

"They'll be here tomorrow. We'll have to place you in the system tonight until they come, but you should be fine until than."

Nadia took a deep breath this was a lot to take in. She didn't even know these people.

"Well I guess they can stay at the house. I mean I'm not sure how that'll work, but I guess it's possible."

Nadia looked up to see the look of sadness in Lexi's eyes.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"I wish it was that simple Nadia and I wish I could do more but unfortunately I can't."

"Why? What's going on?"

"Since you weren't born in the United States, you're an illegal immigrant, which mean that we'll have to send you back to Bulgaria."

"Are you saying that I'm getting deported back to a country I've never even heard of much less been to."

"I'm not going to lie to you Nadia. In a word yes we have to deport you, but when you're eighteen you can file for a visa and come back to the states if you wish if you're approved."

"I can't believe this."

"You'll get through this Nadia. I know it's hard now, but eventually you'll make it through this."

Nadia looked at the detective with tear filled eyes and jumped out of her seat spitting in the detectives face.

"Screw you." she said going to the corner so she could let it all out.

"I really do wish you the best of luck Nadia, but for right now it's time to go."

Nadia took a deep breath and walked past the detective as she was escorted to another squad car and taken to a shelter where her new family would pick her up in the morning. She didn't know how the hell they expected her to be okay with this, but she knew that she would make their life a living hell while she was there. Why couldn't they just let her be?

She sighed and laid on the hard bed thinking about all that happened that day as she cried herself to sleep.