Sparrow and Wolf

1. Simplicity

My eyes flutter open, heavy from sleep after working as a nurse all night in the Emergency Room. I am in a daze, my dream weighing heavy on my mind; Who is that man, Volkov? Why have I seen him so incesintly in this fairytale world inside my dreams? 

I am snapped back to reality as my cat, Mushy, slaps a large and furry paw straight into my mouth. I gently remove it and pat hus head, but quickly notice the time on the alarm clock reading "4:23pm".

"f**k!" I shout as I bolt upright. Mushy drops from my chest to the floor with a thud and I trip on my way out of my tangled blankets. 

"I am so late! I told them all 4:00pm. s**t, s**t, shit." I quickly mutter to myself as I make my way to my wardrobe. In no time at all my long curly ash-white hair is tossed into a bun and I slap on some mascara to hopefully conceal the exhaustion that is so evident on my face. I grab my favorite ripped jeans and a t-shirt, my mother's silver rune necklace never leaving my person, and throw on my combat boots as I rush down the stairs to the teashop. 

Our teashop is not average, we provide fortune telling to our patrons as well. As I have grown older I preform my duties less, despite my premonitions growing stronger and more reliable. I prefer to live a more mundane existence, helping others through medicine, as a nurse. I once believed in magic and spells, but I've grown to feel that these practices are more self protection that some magical, otherworldly force. 

I can hear the mingling of voices, my Baba's twinkling laugh is the clearest. I reach the bottom of the steps and see her behind the bar making fresh tea for her patrons. Her white-streaked black hair is the only indication of her age as her lineless face sparkles with each word she utters. She has raised me since birth but very rarely speaks of my parents past that they were incredible people or to comment that I am similar to one of them in some way or another. She has always been my only family, for as long as I can remember. 

"There you are, Lazy Bones! How did you sleep?" She inquires, breaking my thoughts, whilst handing me a cup of steaming black berry and peppermint tea that I didn't even notice her putting together. The aroma engulfs me, warming my body at every inch, waking me. 

"I slept fine." I say.

"You look dazed, little bird. Was it the dreams?" She comforts in her thick Russian accent. 

"Da, Baba. But it's alright. We can talk later?" I ask. She has always interpreted my dreams for me, giving the greatest of clarity even to the darkest nightmares. 

"Da, da dear." She comforts me a moment. 

"Thank you for the tea, Baba." I say as I bask in it's comforting warmth once more, allowing it to take my ill feelings with it. A slight smile grows on my face as a take a sip.

I notice that I have customers waiting eagerly as they sip on their own drinks. "May I use the back room for readings tonight Baba?", I ask.

"Da dear, please do. The room is all ready for you, the cards are waiting. I think Alyce was here first tonight. Hurry along now and I will bring tea for leaf readings!" Baba Olga replies in her sweet accented voice. 

I notice, however, that she seems to be a bit more stiff than usual. She seems almost uncomfortable, like she feels danger or the presence of evil. I am concerned since Baba Olga is never wrong about a feeling, but I brush off the thought as I recall her many wards and "spells" that she has used to protect the home and shop. 

I make my way to the back room, I beckon to my first customer, Alyce to follow me. I still feel the eerie presence of eyes following me, but brush it off as paranoia from my exhaustion and continue on to help the shop patrons seeking their futures.