Children of the Night

Chapter Three: Motherland

The entire flight to Bulgaria, Eva's stomach was twisting and churning. She didn't know why but sitting on a plane with her boyfriend and going to her country made her ill.

She loved the village and visiting after she had to flee with her father. Taking her away from a quiet sweet place she called home. Only to adjust to the American lifestyle and slowly losing her tradition and culture.

Yet, she knew her father was running away from something, but she wasn't able to puzzle together. Thinking of all the old village homeowners, wondering if they are still alive. Luckily, the flight went by quick and before she knew it, they made it in the motherland.

Eva uses her butchered tongue and eventually gets to a car rental. Will spoke to the employee in English and rented a mini two door. The village was about an hour out from the international airport. Thirty minutes out of the main city, Sofia.

Will uses his international cellular and punches in the home address of Eva's bába. Hoping that the cell phone maps would direct them to the correct area. Yet, everything felt so fluent to Eva as they were driving down the main road.

Recognizing buildings and stores that are still opened since last she returned. With the windows down and the Bulgarian music playing. Their luggage's in the trunk and Will enjoying the beauty of the weather and scenery without saying anything.

Eva wasn't complaining though, she liked when Will wouldn't talk to her. Stretching her legs out, she leans her head back against the headrest and takes in the feeling of being home.

She didn't expect to be back in these terms, but having it be so sudden still surprised her. Only if her bába was still alive. Eventually, the roads begin to be gravel dirty paths and Eva notices the sign of her village.

With a missing citizen sign right under it.

Eva knew her village was always safe until nighttime. Bába used to tell her folklore stories about the children of the night. Taking the bad people away so she always told Eva to never, ever do anything bad. Yet, Eva would always be protected under her bába's wing.

A shudder run down her spine when she thinks about it, wondering if anything ever changed since she's been here.

Will turns right and down the worn path, a herd of sheep come crossing the road. He brakes hard and waits as the bells wrapped around their necks jingle towards the land. Eva laughs, forgetting how terrible it smelled when the sheep would come near her. The shepherd crossed behind them, looking through the windshield and waving.

Eva waves in return before he steps aside, and Will begins driving again. Then there stood bába's home. Will parks to the side and Eva steps out. Staring at the single floor home, her eyes swell with tears.

Memories flood in her mind when she remembers the moments she would run around the road in circles. Play in the garden and get yelled at for ruining the flowers. Listening to bába on the phone as she drank her coffee and smoked her cigarette.

The house hasn't changed one bit but the white as darkened. Nobody must've come to fix it for her. Guilt twists in her stomach with pain and Eva holds in a cry that is trying to escape.

Suddenly, the screen door opens, and Viktoria comes out. In her pearl white dress and her dark red curls bouncing on her shoulders.

"Evangelia." She cries, rushing to Eva and pulling her into her arms. Eva buries her head into the crook of her neck begging herself to not give in.

Viktoria hasn't aged a bit since last she saw her, and it made her happy. Will stands in front of the car's hood, his arms crossed over his chest. Unaware of the sentimental moment his girlfriend is having with a woman she can consider a mother.

"My beautiful girl," She mutters before cupping her hands against Eva's face and kissing her cheek to cheek.

"It's been so long." Eva said back, sniffling so her nose stops running.

Viktoria turns and looks at Will up and down. Debating whether to shake his hand, Eva clears her throat and goes between them.

"Viktoria, this is Will, my—"

"Fiancé." Will cuts her off, shaking Viktoria's unwelcoming hand in an aggressive way. Eva goes stiff and stands there motionless. Fiancé, she thought. Since when was this a conversation? "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello, Will." Viktoria forces out, looking at either of their hands to see an engagement ring. Eva stuffs her hands into her pants pocket and walks away, going up into the closed in patio and taking in the lively green plants and colorful flowers surrounding her.