*A Few Weeks Ago*
Mikhael’s POV:
Bad things don’t always happen on dark, gloomy days. Sometimes they happen while the sun is out, while there’s not a single cloud in the sky, with a nice breeze drifting through the air. Instead of ominous cracks of thunder in the background, there is only the sound of children laughing as they race down the streets on their bikes.
“I wanna go play outside!”
It’s one of the last warm days of the year in Moscow. Soon, it will be winter, and the sun will retreat behind a sea of clouds, the breeze turning into a harsh, icy wind that howls rather than drifts. Soon, there will be endless dark and gloomy days.
But not just yet.
“You can’t go outside, zayka. You know the rules.” Some muffled protests.
“You can go play with your toys in your room. Don’t
