Read Online Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner - Free Book Online Page A

We can even ask her mother where they’re going to stay after they get off the boat, and I’ll write it down for you. It’s not as if they’re going to drop off the face of the earth.”
    â€œYou don’t have to do that,” Raisa said. “I did like taking care of Brina, but once we’re in New York City, we’ll all have other things to keep us busy. Of course, there’s no reason I can’t spend more time with her before the ship docks.”
    â€œNo reason at all,” Zusa agreed. “In fact, I’ll bet that little pest will come looking for you tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, until you can’t wait to see the last of her!” They both laughed.
    But the eighth day of the voyage passed without any sighting of the little girl or her mother. Their bunks were too far away from Raisa’s to allow an accidental meeting, and though she searched the crowds while waiting for meals or toilets or the washing facilities, they were never there at the same time she was. She and Zusa filled the time with more reading lessons and walks in the sunshine on deck. It was the same story on the ninth day. Raisa grew uneasy. She couldn’t seem to give her full attention to Zusa’s lessons.
    â€œIs there a reason your head’s in the clouds?” Zusa finally asked, exasperated.
    â€œYou’ll think I’m silly, but I’m . . . I’m worried about Brina,” Raisa admitted. “I haven’t seen her or her mother for two days, not even when we’re served our meals.”
    â€œIt’s a big ship with lots of people aboard,” Zusa said, dismissing Raisa’s concerns. “They probably get their food at different times than we do.”
    â€œI suppose you’re right,” Raisa said reluctantly.
    â€œOf course I am! Now, do you want to go back to The Wishing-Ring again or would you rather take another walk?”
    That night, Raisa slept badly. Her dreams were filled with swirling images of ordinary people and places that melted into monstrous creatures. There was no up, no down, and the nightmare skies went from sun to storm to dazzling starlight before drowning her in total darkness. She woke up gasping.
    Then she realized she was not alone in her bunk. A small, warm body was clinging to her side. By the dim light of the steerage lamps she saw Brina, her eyes brimming with tears, her tiny fist pressed hard against her mouth.
    â€œBrina?” Raisa whispered, gently taking the little girl into her arms. “What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”
    The child opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a wild, heartbroken wail.
    â€œHeaven have mercy, what’s all the racket?” Zusa moaned from the lower berth. Other people occupying neighboring bunks added their grumbles and curses to the noise Brina was making. Raisa did her best to hush the child, holding her on her lap and rocking back and forth. She’d just gotten Brina’s howling muted down to soft sobs when Zusa’s sleepy face appeared over the edge of the bed. “What’s she doing here? Got lost trying to find the toilet on her own?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Raisa said. “But I’m going to find out.” She climbed out of her berth, put on her shoes, and offered her arms to Brina. The child wrapped her thin arms around Raisa’s neck and held her so tightly it felt as if she’d never let go.
    Zusa trailed after the two of them as Raisa carried Brina back to her own bunk. There wasn’t much light in that part of steerage. When Raisa bent down to peer into the lower berth where Brina’s mother slept, she could see only shadows. “Excuse me, ma’am,” she said. “I’m sorry to bother you, but—” She stopped. The lower berth was very, very quiet.
    Wordlessly Raisa stood up and handed Brina to Zusa. The child didn’t want the change, but Raisa was