- Mom, why is it so dark? Is it night now? I'm scared mom...!
- Don't worry, baby. Everything will be fine...

- Mom, why can't I see anything? Is it day?
- Now it's night baby, now it'll always be night...

- Mom, why can't I hug you? Where are we, mom?
- I don't know my love, but I am holding you tight and won't let you go for anything in the world...

- Mom, can I play with my friends on the playground today?
- No, baby, probably never again…

- Mom, I'm scared. Will dad come soon?
- I don’t know, sweetheart. I think not...

- Mom, you let me go. I'm cold. Please don't let me go... I'm very cold...
- I can’t, daughter. I’m trying my best, but I can’t anymore...

- Mom, are we dead, mom? Mom, I want to live...
- Yes, baby, but we will meet again, just in another life... And I will be your mother again, and you will be my daughter and I will be able to hug you again...! Forgive me baby...

- Mom, don’t let me go… Mom don’t go, mom, I’m very scared, mom…
…Mommy, are these your hands? Is that you?

- No, but someday I will take you to her again, but for now, just close your eyes. And you will no longer be cold and scared. Never again...

***

SHE WAS 6 YEARS OLD AND SHE, TOGETHER WITH HER MOTHER AND ANOTHER 450 VICTIMS WAS FOUND AT THE SITE OF A MASS BURNING IN 2022!!!

None of us knows what is there, beyond the border of life and death, but I hope that she will meet her mother again, and her mother will be able to hug her again!

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® Anatoliy Kavun
The entire text of the story is the author's. Copyright is officially registered.
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The text has been translated by the author from his native language into English independently. We will be glad to receive help with corrections from professional literary translators.