Chapter 1

Dimitri's POV

Siberia. The place I have called home for as long as I can remember. I don't visit often, which is easy enough to explain, I'm a guardian. Somebody's life is constantly in my hands. But I know that isn't the reason. Ever since Ivashkov, my charge, died I haven't visited home nearly as much as I usual, even my workaholic attitude can't compensate for my lack of visits completely. And my family knows that, but they never push for answers. Before his death I would visit my family regularly, even though I never took breaks. Ivashkov was kind and he visited the communities in Siberia often, bringing me along. But I couldn't face them after his death; they were the only ones who had seen me vulnerable, the only ones who would know how his death had changed me, in such a big way. So after the funeral I went and taught in Montana. I didn't make many friends, getting close to people has been harder since the accident. Some people might say that was because I was afraid of them leaving, dying, and hurting me again. Me, I say that it was because I had a job that requires a lot of focus and I had no time for frivolity. As per my usual excuse.

Sorry it was shorter than my usual standard! More to come SOON! I just needed to put the background out there! =]

3 Michelle!