“Tell me what the artifact is.” He menaces, but Nika has had enough. She says nothing, staring in contempt at the man who had the audacity to pretend to rescue her from himself.

“Fine then. I’ll just burn everything here.” Flames begin to gather in his right hand.

“Leave them alone!” Nika acts quickly, shoving him before he can finish conjuring his weapon. “Stop ruining their lives after one choice!” Her bravery surprised him, but once recovered the tall soldier has the advantage. He bats away her attempted punches with a smirk until Mikhail steps in to help. Then he twists her around in a most definitely unromantic tango, pinning one of her arms and holding a burning hand to her throat.

“Have you forgotten your English dear? There is only one useless brother here to save you.” He mocks them both as Mikhail stops in his tracks. “Now tell me: what am I looking for?”

“Joseph, stop this.” The other Nika has climbed onto the scarred brother’s shoulder.

“So you found an animal guide, did you?” The younger brother sneers contemptuously. “I knew you weren’t clever enough to solve this yourself!” He angrily twists Nika’s arm a little further.

“Nika, he’s not going to believe you.” Panic sets in to Mikhail’s voice as now both girls are in danger.

“He’s not talking to you. What does he mean?” Frustrated confusion causes Joseph to hold her even tighter, and Nika winces.

“She has a gold ring, I’ve seen it. It’s really her.” She manages to sound brave, even though she’s terrified things are about to get much, much worse.

“Ivanika?” He stares at the mouse-girl, every syllable soft and wavering. The burning hand in front of the normal girl drops away.

“How could you?” As he speaks, Nika sees her chance and tears herself away. “How could you not tell me!” He roars, completely focused on the cursed couple. As the flaming sword conjures in his hand, she sprints further into the exhibit to find a silver spoon.

Several alarms go off as, after three tries, her elbow smashes through the glass case. However, the museum staff likely have more pressing matters as the roar of flames follow shouts from both boys. She should hurry. But taking the spoon out of its case, she realizes she has no idea how to use it. Does she wave it like a wand? Say a prayer to one of the saints? Nika turns it over and over in her hands, looking for a clue.

She looks up as a rapping sound comes from one of the windows. Peering out, she sees a red fox in broad daylight on the streets of Volgograd. None of the firemen gathering outside, nor the spectators seem to see it. The fox meets her gaze with mischievous eyes. Quickly, it spins clockwise in a circle three times. Then it is gone, dashing into one of the bushes lining the museum walls and not emerging on the other side.

Fairy tales. I would have figured it out eventually. Not that she had time to spare, as the crashing sound of more breaking glass rings out behind her. Now, what exactly to wish for? She had to be careful- she had only one chance, and an ill-spent wish could ruin everything.

“I wish, that nothing magical had ever happened to Mikhail, Joseph or Ivanika.” She spins slowly in a circle three times, holding the silver spoon to her chest. Maybe she should have said the words in Russian, as nothing seems to happen. Then, the spoon begins to glow, brighter and brighter until she’s forced to close her eyes.

“Nika? Nika dear, wake up.” Her mother’s voice. Nika opens her eyes, curled under one of the desks in the boy scout cabin. She remembered- eating cake by herself, braving the cafeteria, running in here when the noise was too much. And, it felt like she just had the strangest dream. Before she woke up, a boy had been telling her thank you, with a white mouse resting on his knee. Perhaps she had been dreaming one of her grandmother’s fairy tales.

“Nika, are you all right? I’m so sorry, I forgot how loud it would be here.” Why had she been so angry? Mom just wanted what was best for her, even if they didn’t always agree on what that was. Not quite knowing why, Nika hugs her mother and cries for a long time.

Outside, underneath the great tree, a fox watches through the open door. It nods to the old caregiver of this sacred place. Then, silent and unseen, it pads away.