Fighting the Darkness Within

Sam sat in between her two big sisters and glanced at Ana, who had just woken up. Ana rolled her eyes dramatically and glared at Sam. Sam smiled and chuckled quietly. Syd and Nadia raised their heads and smirked at Ana and patted Sam on the back.

“I am sure you didn’t need to do that, Sam. I would have done whatever made you feel more comfortable. But thanks anyway for the headache.” Ana’s voice was not hostile, but instead just annoyed.

“I owe you more than that, Ana.” Sam’s tone was slightly amused and apathetic. The air around her was not tense as usual, it was relaxed and fun. Sydney was awed by Sam’s nerve and she was happy that Ana had another person who was a good match against her. Nadia was surprisingly having a great time. Sam got up and started pacing.

“What exactly is our plan? Do we have one?” Sam wanted to think ahead so that when the team arrived, they would have something to tell them.

“I don’t think we do have one. We need to get everyone together and come up with a good one.” Nadia spoke up and pulled her knees to her chest for warmth. Sydney looked toward Sam with an apologetic smile.

“We need to call Irina...” Sydney’s voice was not excited; it was the exact opposite, full of dread. Sam nodded and sighed, ready for the call. Nadia picked up the phone and dialed the number, waiting for her mother to pick up. When she picked up, Nadia took a deep breath.

“Mom. We...uh need your help. You need to get over here. We are putting together a team to infiltrate Rethon47. We have some people on the way and some already here, but we need you too. So, if you could hurry, that would be great.” Nadia finished and waited for an answer.

“Nadia, I am almost there.”

“Wait, why?” Nadia’s brows drew together and she swallowed, waiting for the worst.

“I had to come get Sam.” Irina spoke this like it was the most obvious answer in the world. Nadia was shaking her head even before Irina finished.

“What? No. If that’s why you’re coming, then you should go back to where you came from. You’re not taking Sam.” Nadia’s usually soft voice grew dark and menacing. She was daring her mother to come and just try to take her new little sister.

“Nadia, she is my...” Irina stopped.

“What? Your daughter? Yeah that’s nice. Goodbye Derevko.” Nadia hung up the phone and gritted her teeth. “I don’t think we need her help anymore.” Nadia looked over to her big sister and saw Sydney smile. Sydney was proud of Nadia for standing up to their mother. Syd nodded and patted her shoulder.

“You know she’s going to come anyway, right?” Sam spoke this time.

“Yes, she isn’t just going to let you two take the daughter she raised herself.” Ana interjected and everyone turned to her. Sydney paced and shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter. Once everyone gets here, we will have a perimeter while we figure out what we’re doing. She will not get to you, Sam.” There was a fierceness that entered the air around them and everyone was silent.

“Is that so, Sydney?” Irina’s voice boomed into the clearing. Sydney rolled her eyes and turned around to see her mother’s livid figure staring at her. Sam was moved in between Sydney and Nadia for protection.

“Why are you here?” Sydney was just stalling.

“You know very well why I am here. I want Sam back.” Irina smiled slightly.

“You gave up that right when you got her kidnapped. You couldn’t get her back and so you lost that privilege. She is staying with us. She is going to be staying with people who actually care about her.” Sydney was on a roll. At this, Irina flinched as if she had been slapped.

“She is my daughter.” As soon as she said this, she regretted it.

“Oh yeah? Well your three daughters don’t want anything to do with you. You should just leave.” Nadia’s voice was full of hurt.

“You really should leave. You’re outnumbered.” Vaughn’s voice stopped everyone cold. The team had finally arrived.

Please R&R!!!!!!!!! --soccergirlmich--