Escaping Soviet Hell pt 2

   Ivan sat in the armchair by the window, watching the sun rise over the wilderness. His knees were tucked up against his body, and he rested his chin on his knees. A thousand questions swirled in his mind.
 
How far has Toris got?
   
Is he dead?
 
Did he see me watching him?
   
Does he hate me?
   
Ivan shuddered at the last question, discarding it like an empty vodka bottle. He couldn't blame Toris for hating him; he had every right to, considering everything the Russian had done to hurt him—deliberately or not. Even so, he hoped that Toris didn't completely hate him. It was a selfish thought, but he wanted to be forgiven.
   
There was a quiet knock on the door.
   
"Da, come in," Ivan called.
   
He heard the door open and saw Eduard's reflection in the window, carrying a tray with Ivan's breakfast on it.
   
The Russian felt a lump rise in his throat. That was Toris's job.
   
"Mr. Braginsky, sir. You didn't come down for breakfast. Toris is ill today, so he won't—"
   
"Do not lie to me, Eduard. I know where he has gone." It was restrained tears that made Ivan's voice taut, but Eduard didn't know that.
   
Oh dear God, he's angry.  He started to tremble. Oh dear.
   
Ivan watched Eduard's reflection as it quaked, and his face softened. He stood and walked towards the Estonian, whose trembling increased.
   
Oh my God, I'm going to die.
   
Ivan reached up, and Eduard had to use all of his self-control to avoid flinching away. That would only make Ivan more furious.
   
He's going to slap me like I'm his bitch or something!
   
Ivan gently rested his hand on Eduard's head, ruffling his sandy hair. The Russian smiled sadly, before taking the tray from the Baltic.
   
"Thank you, Eduard," he said softly. "You may go now."
   
"Th-thank you, sir!" Eduard squeaked, before turning and scurrying out of the room.
   
Now that was weird.

~~~~~~~~    

The sun had now fully risen over the horizon. Ivan remained in his chair, unmoving and silent. His breakfast had been forgotten, and the tea was stone cold.
   
The Russian knew what was going to happen. He knew how close Toris and Eduard had been, and it wouldn't be long before the Estonian followed his friend and left. He would probably take Raivis with him.  
   
And then Ivan would be all alone.
   
Ivan didn't like the thought of that.
   
He had to do something.

~~~~~~~~~
   
"Quiet now, Raivis. If Mr. Braginsky hears us he'll kill us both, got it?
   
"Yes, b-but—"
 
"Shh!"
   
The two escapees gripped each other's arms for comfort as they crept down the dark hallway, staying close to the walls for guidance. Eduard gripped two small satchels of clothes and supplies in his clammy hands. They were nearly there; he could almost taste freedom. Still, he couldn't get ahead of himself. Things could go wrong yet.
   
Raivis looked up at what he could see of his friend's face. He would trust Eduard with his life; the brainy Estonian always seemed to know what to do, had a solution to every problem.
   
Still, Raivis couldn't help but be scared out of his wits.
   
He glanced over his shoulder.
   
Every draught that blew through the corridors turned to whispers in his ear. Every shadow on the wall morphed into a grotesque pipe-wielding monster. Every pinprick of light from inside a room became violet eyes glaring out from the darkness.
   
Raivis clung to Eduard a little bit tighter.
   
"Alright, we're here," Eduard murmured a few minutes later, setting the suitcases down on the floor.
   
"We're using the front door?" Raivis hissed. "But we don't have a key!"
   
"Except we do," Eduard allowed himself a triumphant grin. "Because I stole one."
   
Raivis's eyes went as wide as dinner plates. "You stole from Mr. Braginsky? If he finds out, he'll—"
 
"He won't find out, because we're leaving. Right now."
   
"I do not think so."
   
Raivis's blood turned to ice. He turned on his heel, only to come face-to-face with Ivan himself.
   
"Shit," Eduard breathed as he flung the door open. "Run, Raivis!" he screamed before bolting out into the night.
   
Raivis took a step forward, but a huge gloved hand clamped over his mouth and nose so Eduard couldn't hear him scream.
   
"Nyet! I will not let you go—I refuse to be alone! Understand?"
   
Raivis squirmed in Ivan's iron grasp, tears spilling from his eyes. He could just make out Eduard's lone figure as he vaulted over the garden fence.
   
Raivis began to sob against Ivan's leather glove. Spots danced in front of his eyes from the lack of air.
   
Ivan pulled the Latvian close to his chest, almost hugging him. "Shh, Raivis. I do not wish to hurt you."
   
That was the last thing he heard before he passed out.