Chapter 2
The day droned on….with classes, and homework, dinner that was somewhat plain, and an early bedtime. Nastia waited outside, later on…avoiding the watchful eye of Damien, as she opened the door, and snuck out for a good time with Ace.
Ace smiled, as they drove a short way to the city's dump. Ace let Nastia out, as she stood by the hot tub. Ace was in his boxers at this point. "Darlin….darlin….my Nastia". Ace said, in a soothing, gentle, seductive hum. Nastia glanced up at Ace. "yes?". She replied.
"baby…I got you some of that newly flavored Oat Milk…you'll like this one…it's Lemon custard flavored". "It's a good one….drink some of it, save the rest…you'll really like it". Ace said, soothingly. Ace handed Nastia the oat milk.
Nastia drank it, as she got into the hot tub. Ace massaged her back. "so….I was lookin' at this new poll or somethin' regarding some scratch offs…the daily numbers are hittin for 30 or 40 bucks now". "That's pretty cool with those scratch-offs". "I kinda need the 30 or 40 for groceries, and this and that". "I been hittin for 15 or 20…but hey, those don't get me none for groceries". Ace explained, kindly.
"My older brothers do the scratch-offs….they've actually hit for 23 or 34…some weird numbers of a sort…but the derisiveness of the scratch-offs is complex because each number follows a different, elusive pattern". "I don't like scratch-offs because I never win money with them". "I've always just saved my money". Nastia said.
"I neva get involved with anythin' greater than 30 or 40…usually, because that's just a waste of money right there". "There's nothin' really cool with that". "You don't win, ya wasted 10 or 15 bucks….it was nothin' special". Ace said, kindly.
"34, 12, and 15 hit the other day….those were my lucky 3….I bet over, and I won 56 dollars doin' it". "If that was not the coolest thing, eva". Ace said, gently.
"I think 42 and 56 hit yesterday…but they were in a different pattern and format, supposedly". Nastia said. "Yeah?". Ace asked, loudly with a chuckle. "Whatever you have in mind, to me, they were the winning pattern". Ace and Nastia shared a laugh.
"I think there was other numba…I forget what it was…but, it won me like 69 dollars…I'm like….fuck yeah!". Ace said, as he and Nastia shared another laugh.
"Your language is colorful". Nastia said. Ace smiled, as he laughed again with Nastia. "Yeah, I got almost 70 with it…but I won the 1 dollar back playing a 5 dollar scratch-off". "Seemed like a logical thing to do, right?". "When you need just one more, ya play the cheapest one ya can get". Ace said, kindly. He lit a cigarette in the hot tub. "That sounds logical enough….playing the cheapest one…..but 70 dollars is a lot…you'll have a pulchritudinous time with that expenditure". Nastia replied. Ace snickered a bit. "Yeah, I might….but I don't even really know what that word means". Ace said, kindly as he and Nastia shared another laugh.
"It just means that it was a nice time". Nastia said. "Yeah, that sounds simple enough for a moron like me to understand". Ace said, gently. He and Nastia laughed again. "But yeah, I'll have a damn good time with that money…might get some cigarettes, and some beer with that". "That's too good to waste there….ain't it?". Ace said, kindly. "It really is". Nastia said.
Ace smiled a kind smile. "Yeah, cigarettes these days are only 7 or 8 now". "They're damn near expensive now, though". "I can't get a pack in edgewise without paying out of pocket….it's way too expensive for anyone, really". "But I been stealin' some right out from under the nose of a guy". "Doesn't know I did it…I walked right in, took the damn things, and walked out". "He didn't even know I did it….idiotic man". Ace said, kindly. "I'm sure he didn't". Nastia said.
Ace smiled. "Yeah, it's been good, I go through what….6 packs a day". "That's just my thing, really". "Eh, who knows". Ace said, gently. Ace rubbed the back of his head.
"Smoking is harmful to the lungs". Nastia said. "Yeah, but I been doin' it since I was 10…nothin' affected me….whatever it did…it did, and I got no problem with it". "It's whatever I want, really". Ace said, kindly. Nastia nodded. "Smoking is something else, really". "My brothers smoke…and the smell bothers me". Nastia said. "Yeah, well…the smell goes away, eventually". "Ya just gotta learn to handle it more". "That's what I did, and now…the smell means nothin' to me". Ace said, gently. "Maybe so". Nastia said.
"Well, my old parents been doin' it since they were 6 and 7…man, it was a different time, though". "They did whatever they wanted…and they had a time with it". Ace said, kindly.
"Well, yeah….those were my parents….they did their thing…who knows". Ace said, gently, as he yawned. Nastia drank from her sippy cup. "Hmmm, yeah….well, does that Oat Milk taste good?". Ace asked, kindly with gentleness. "It tastes very wonderful, thank you". Nastia replied.
Ace smiled. "Yeah, I thought you might like it". "It's my favorite flavor of Oat Milk". "I drink Oat Milk, sometimes, honey". Ace said, gently. "It's quite refreshing, indeed".
"It is nice". Nastia replied. Ace smiled a kind, gentle smile. "When you were a baby….just a small lil thing, you used to drink milk….regular milk….but sometimes, you would try your hardest to eat regular, solid food". "You were so young when you would eat solid food….you had trouble swallowing, but ya ate it….and you got it down….you were such a happy baby….you smiled, laughed, you were amazing, baby coochie". Ace said, gently with kindness. Nastia nodded. "I certainly was". Nastia said.
Ace smiled as he leaned in, kissing Nastia's cheeks. "You're my special baby….an my love for you is always eternal, coochie". Ace said, gently with a softened kindness. "Thank you, Ace". Nastia said. "So….when you were a baby…maybe about 1, 2, or 3….ya started showin' signs of genius….that's pretty amazing stuff". "You are an amazing kid….someone that I always admire….ya can do anything, baby". "I've always believed in you". Ace said, soothingly with kindness, as he kissed Nastia's cheeks, gently. Nastia nodded. "You're my favorite….always and foreva….for now, and for eternity, honey". Ace said, in a gentle, kind, soothing voice. Nastia nodded. "Thank you". Nastia replied. Ace smiled, as he massaged Nastia's cheeks, gently.
"You are someone truly beautiful….even as a Russian baby….in the orphanage….all asleep in her crib….an' watchin the snow fall….you were so beautiful….you've always been beautiful…and I've always noticed just how beautiful you were to me". "I love you…and I always will….my beautiful baby". "What's mine is yours, what's yours is also yours….we'll weather any storm togetha". Ace said, in his gentle, loving, kind, soothing voice. Nastia nodded, as she looked up at Ace. Nastia felt warm in the hot tub….and in the nice embrace of Ace's warm arms.
The night seemed to fall on, as Ace looked upwards at the moon…the yellow moon which hung low in the sky. "I had other adoptive parents when I first came to the U.S….but they passed away when I was 3". Nastia said. "I was adopted by my current parents when I was 3…later that same year".
Ace smiled a kind smile, nodding. "Do you love your current parents?". "Do you feel happy with them?". Ace asked, in a gentle, soothing, kind voice. "I love my mom and dad…though, they travel a lot…and I love my older brothers, too". Nastia said. Ace smiled a gentle smile. "That's good, coochie". Ace said, gently with a soothing, loving voice. "It indeed is". Nastia replied.
Ace smiled a kind smile. "I'm happy for you, coochie". "You always loved your olda brothers….they were always good to ya….always, in every way". Ace said, kindly in his gentle, soothing voice. "They were…they were good siblings, really". Nastia said, as she looked around. Ace smiled a kind smile. "Yeah, I neva had any siblings growin' up". "It was just my parents and I…not like they cared, any". Ace said, kindly with a soothing voice.
"That's too bad, I'm sorry". Nastia replied. "Yeah, it's cool though…my old man is…who knows where he is…and my ma…she's been incarcerated for 13 years now". Ace said, gently.
"But I haven't spoken to em' in years now….we meant to talk again the other day…I called my Ma from the prison's phone system….she didn't say nothin' to me except….this line is busy". "She hung up after that". "Haven't heard from the woman since". Ace said, kindly.
"Well, that's ashame". "I don't know…my parents come to visit every other month….they're nice when they're here….but they're only here for a day before they have to get up, and get back to work again". "But…they're ok". Nastia said.
"Yeah, well, your mommy and daddy rescued you when you were 3….they saved ya when your other parents died….and you were by yourself". "But that's what a mommy and daddy do….they rescue their kids from anythin". "You were rescued….by mommy and daddy…though, they don't see ya much….they love ya, and are so proud of ya, baby". "You've made all of us so proud…and you always will….because you're someone amazing….in every single way". "We all know it….and we know just how lucky we are that you're with us". "You're a smart, strong young woman….and though it might seem hard to navigate now, the world becomes a much easier place". Ace said, in his relaxing, gentle, soothing voice. "I know it does…that's why I'm optimistic about the future". Nastia said. Ace smirked a bit, chuckling. "Yeah, definitely". Ace said, with a sort of fake aspect and hesitance about him. "I'm happy for you too". Ace said, kindly. He and Nastia nuzzled….sharing a laugh.
Ace rubbed his nose against Nastia's, seeming to nuzzle her. "Have you ever tried Eskimo kisses?". Ace asked, in a soothing, relaxed, gentle voice. "I kind of remember them….it's a nose oriented exercise, isn't it?". Nastia stated….asking for clarification.
"Yeah, in fact….it is". "Eskimo kisses are done with the nose". "But I love giving Eskimo kisses…it's a lot of fun…hmm, would you wanna do em with me?". Ace asked in a soothing, gentle voice. "I would, in fact". Nastia said. Ace smiled a kind smile. He nuzzled Nastia, rubbing noses with her. Ace rubbed noses with Nastia, giving her Eskimo kisses. Nastia felt the warmth, felt the kindness, and felt the gentleness behind Ace's kisses. She knew Ace was someone that wished to improve himself. Luckily, she was helping him do it. Then, for the first time in her life, she felt comfortable being touched. She knew Ace was mending fences with her.
Ace and Nastia shared a laugh, as Ace smiled, tickling her cheeks, and playing alongside her. She was comfortable with Ace. She didn't seem to mind when Snake, or Grubber, maybe even Lil Arturo came to socialize as well.
At the end of the evening, Nastia was dropped back off at home, where she bade Ace goodnight….and in turn, he shared a kiss on the cheek with her. It was a nice exchange….a proper date, that ended in a kind turnabout. Even so, Ace had fun as well. Nastia went to bed, feeling extraordinarily wonderful inside. Until something happened, and her dreams went South.
There was a darkness around….a wolf howling in the distance…..and the reddened sky that was soaking with the drip of a haunting. The Harvest Moon spirit, looked down on little Nastia, as he spoke in a haunting tone. "Nastia Benson…..I am contacting you because you are in a great danger….I myself, mean no harm". The Harvest Moon spirit spoke in his big, booming voice. His black, soulless eyes looked downwards. "Your so-called friend, Ace, does not care about you". "He wants you to fail…and he is plotting something catastrophic". "He must be stopped". The Harvest Moon Spirit spoke with his booming voice. "Please, heed my warning, or suffer the consequences…please, I beg of you". The spirit no longer looked threatening now…instead, he looked saddened.
Nastia looked upwards at him, as she reached up her arms, only to find that the Harvest Moon Spirit had grown fangs, and red eyes….he roared a scary, deafening roar….then, everything went black….
Nastia woke up, looking around her….surveying her surroundings. She felt a tear in her eyes, as she wiped her eyes, dutifully. She felt herself shivering in fear, as she held her ears…rocking back and forth to comfort herself. She began crying softly, as she wiped her eyes….emotionally exhausted from the nightmare. Nastia knew she had to retreat somewhere for comfort. She got out of bed, searching for one of her older brothers, and his bedroom.
Nastia went into Eddy's room, hearing him breathing in his sleep. He snored as well.
Eddy opened his eyes a bit, seeing Nastia. "Hey, butterfly". "Couldn't sleep?". Eddy asked, in a kind, comforting, soothing, softened voice. "no….I had a nightmare….can I sleep in here…at the foot of the bed, at least?". Nastia asked, in a tearful voice. "Yes, of course". Eddy said, softly with soothingness. "I'm here for you….come sleep beside me, I'll keep you safe". Eddy's voice radiated with a gentle soothingness and softness.
"Thank you". Nastia replied, as she walked to the side of the bed. "Come see me, butterfly". "I'll hold you….keep you safe". Eddy said, softly with gentle soothingness. Nastia nodded, as she came into Eddy's arms, the blanket he wrapped around her, feeling much safer and much warmer. "There we go….all nice and set". Eddy said, softly with kindness. Nastia nodded, as she and Eddy shared a laugh. Nastia felt comforted in her blankets, while Eddy held her close….kissing her cheeks. She fell asleep, hoping not to have any more nightmares. Though with the softened lullaby Eddy hummed to her, she fell asleep quickly…without any more fears.
The next morning, Eddy woke her up, as she remained curled up beside him. She still retained the shivers, and the tearfulness from the night before. "Hey, sweetie pie….it's time to wake up….time to get breakfast, and get ready for school". "I believe you can do it….let's try". Eddy encouraged, kindly with a softened, soothing voice, as he gently nudged Nastia awake. Nastia woke up, wiping a tear from her eyes. She sat cross legged, while a blanket was over her. Some Autistic children sat cross-legged.
"What happened in your nightmare last night, honey?". "Tell me". Eddy prompted in a softened, gentle, soothing voice as he buttoned his silky shirt he wore with his jeans.
"I was afraid that the world would end". Nastia said, with emotion behind her voice. "Yeah?". "Is that something you're most afraid of?". Eddy asked, in a softened, gentle voice. "It is". Nastia said. Eddy picked Nastia up in her wrapped blanket. "I can assure you nothing will happen". "I promise you that Damien and I will always be here to protect you". Eddy said, with his soothing, gentle voice. "Ok". Nastia replied. "We sometimes have nightmares….it only means our subconscious is keeping us on our toes". Eddy said, soothingly with kindness. "Ok". Nastia replied.
"You know I love you, honey". "You know I always do…and you're safe as long as we're beside one another….I can assure you". Eddy said, in a soothing, kind voice. "Thank you". Nastia replied. Eddy smiled a kind smile. "You and I….we're best friends….we always are". Eddy assured, soothingly. Nastia nodded. "I know". Nastia replied. "And as your best friend, and playmate….I'm beside you, always….in whatever you need". Eddy said, kindly. "Thank you". Nastia said.
Eddy kissed Nastia's cheeks. "Let's have some breakfast now….the bus will be here soon". Eddy said, soothingly with gentleness. "Ok". Nastia replied. Nastia had her Oatmeal, and milk…and waited for the bus to transport her to school.