Shattering Hearts

(S2) Jack Carver

The day had come to an end when the Thusenka family had returned to their village. The moonlight shone very brightly emitting a silvery light. The sound of the night beast rang out from a distance. Petro looked gently at his daughter who was still sound asleep in the car.

Lizzie's innocent face looks very peaceful when asleep.Once seen a smile on his face while hugging his new teddy bear he got from an old man Lizzie met while going with Danielle met with one of the his old friend in Moscow.

Petro held her slowly not wanting to wake her up, then laid the tiny body on the bed and covered it. After giving his daughter a kiss and saying good night, Petro left Lizzie's room. She was so grateful that Lizzie enjoyed her trip to Moscow that she seemed so happy and no longer thought about her picnic with Marina. It was a very exhausting but very enjoyable trip. Petro smiled to meet his wife who was already in the room preparing to sleep.

One morning in April Lizzie woke up feeling better and she welcomed the morning with joy. The sunlight began to infiltrate his room. The window curtain was opened and the room was bathed in sunlight. The clear blue sky makes the morning more pleasant.

Silverbell Farms has been bathed in sunlight. In the distance birch trees, maples and poplars can be seen dancing, because of the wind. The world is so beautiful that Lizzie spends some of her time in the morning just enjoying all the natural beauty presented in front of her bedroom window.

Lizzie then looks towards her teddy bear which she got from a very kind-hearted grandfather . Slowly he smiled back in light of yesterday's events in Moscow.

At that time Lizzie was invited by Aunt Danielle to visit one of her old friends shortly after arriving at her aunt's house. His aunt's friend was sick, so he was invited to visit a very large mansion and it was there that he met the good grandfather and seemed lonely living alone in the great mansion.

The grandfather introduced himself as Sergei Romanov. Aunt Danielle was so excited to introduce Cassei to her friend. It didn't take long for the two to become familiar.

"If my grandson were still around, he would be as big as you. Your names are the same, too" Sergei said.

"Where's grandfather's grandson?"

" Lost out of nowhere."

"Hope Grandpa's grandson come back soon."

Sergei smiled warmly and rubbed Lizzie's head gently. Since the first time I saw Danielle's niece, warm feelings enveloped her and somehow saw her, Lizzie was no stranger to her. As if he had known her for a long time.

Lizzie then plays in the backyard of the mansion accompanied by Nester.

" I hope your family's case is over quickly. Is the culprit still unaccounted for?" ask Danielle.

"Unfortunately not."

Sergei's old face looks very sad.

" Are your son and daughter-in-law still unconscious from the coma?"

"Not yet."

🍎🍎🍎

Lizzie went back inside with a carefree face while eating ice cream. Sergei gave her a teddy bear when Lizzie was coming home and of course he also remembered a young man who came and looked cynically at her with eyes as sharp as an eagle.

The young man sat beside the grandfather and continued to stare at him sharply making his little body tremble with fear. There was dislike in the look in his eyes towards Lizzie.

"I gave your teddy bear to Lizzie okay?’’sergei asked the young man sitting next to him.

"of course. Grandpa can give it to her."

The young man smiled smirked at him and his intimidating attitude towards Lizzie made the little girl feel uneasy, as the young man's gaze continued to follow him relentlessly made him hug his teddy bear even tighter and slightly drown his face on the puppet's head. She was relieved when Aunt Danielle said goodbye to go home and hoped she would never see him again.

Lizzie awakens from her daydream after hearing her mother's call. After changing his clothes and styling his blonde hair and this time left to unravel only decorated with a pinch, he went down to breakfast. After finishing breakfast, Cassei said goodbye to his parents.

 "Dad, mother , I go first!’’

"Be careful on the road! Go home from school and go home."

"Good Ma'am,’’ replied Lizzie cheerfully.

A bright morning was like describing Lizzie's feelings right now. As usual, he gave good morning to everyone he met. Fanya had been waiting for him in an ordinary place with a warm smile. He ran towards her.‘’Morning Fanya!’’

Morning ! It's a beautiful day, isn't it?’’

"You're right. Let's go!’’

They go to school happily singing.  The smell of the wet forest was so pronounced. Fanya opened her school bag and pulled out a package.

"This is for you,’’ujar Fanya.

Fanya gave the package to Lizzie who still looked confused by the contents of the package.

"That's your favorite plum pie. I was given by Mr. Kalashnikov yesterday at a picnic. It feels so good you will love it. Try eating!’’

Lizzie ate it and a smile appeared on her tiny face, and she exclaimed, ’’this is so delicious. Thank you Fanya!"

Fanya was so happy to see her best friend like what she brought.

"I brought a special for you as souvenirs from yesterday's picnic."

Seen from a distance school children have started to arrive and enter the school building. Lizzie and Fanya quickened their pace.

"For everyone ! ‘’sapa Lizzie.

"Morning!’’answer them simultaneously.

Mary Doyle approached Lizzie and told her to sit down.

"This afternoon you and Fanya must come with us to Mr. Jack Carver's house."

"Who is he?’’ask Lizzie.

"He's a newcomer to the village. He's a very nice guy. I played at his house. I think he's a very lonely man and needs a friend. He was very happy if anyone visited him. This afternoon he's going to have a barbrque party and he's inviting the kids in this village. You come with ya and you're Fanya."

"It seems interesting, but I don't know if my mom will let me go there or not?’’

"I also have to ask my mother's permission,’’ Fanya said.

"good. I'm waiting for word from you guys."

The bells have rung, they sit in their own places. During the history lesson Lizzie looks bored. He did not like it, several times he yawned and his eyes were sleepy. Many times Fanya nudged her arm to focus on paying attention to her lesson.

Unlike Lizzie, Fanya is very fond of history lessons. Fanya says that if studying history is fun, we can look into the past and we can also imagine life in the past.

Their history teacher was Olivia Winslow. He is the youngest teacher at this school and has just graduated from university. Almost all of his students liked him very much in addition to being beautiful, he was also very pleasant. It did not feel like an hour and a half of history lessons had ended and continued with Geography lessons.

Lizzie doesn't like geography very much and so does Fanya. During the lesson they both look sleepy and to relieve their drowsiness and boredom, Lizzie looks out the window on the second floor of her school building she can see the sparkling view of the lake water.

His eyes traced every street around the lake while Fanya drew some animals and houses. Lizzie seemed so immersed in her imagination that she was in her own world.

"Lizzie...Lizzie...Lizzie,’’call her teacher.The staff were also surprised.

"What are you looking at out there. What is so fun about geography lessons?’’

"Sorry . But out there it does look fun sir teacher Ridgeway,’’ answered Lizzie plain. His friends laughed. Mr. Tristan Ridgeway sighed.

"Now mention France country border?’’

"Good."

Lizzie sighs in relief and sits back.’’Good thing I learned about the country of France last night,’’his comments are in my heart.

"You're great,’’ said Fanya. Lizzie just smiled with satisfaction.

When the day break bell rings. The children rushed out and played in the school yard. Lizzie and the rest of the friends as usual eat her lunch under the cherry tree which is the only cherry tree in the school. They enjoyed lunch cheerfully.

The male students were seen fussing and playing chase after each other and one of them hit the teacher Stanley who was carrying a stack of books.  He scolded Paul Springfield and he apologized many times.

Lizzie smiled amusedly holding back laughter seeing it all.  After the school lesson was over, Lizzie and Fanya immediately went home . Arriving at home, Lizzie immediately looks for her mother behind who is bathing a calf her father just bought yesterday afternoon.

"Mother...mom , can I go to Jack Carver's house?’’

"Is he the one who lives in the old Ferguson's house?’’

‘’It looks like so. Mr. Carver invited the village children to a barbeque party, for sure it would be a lot of fun. Did mom allow me to leave? Don't worry I won't be home late."

Lizzie cupped her hands and her clear eyes twinkled in earnest pleading.

"Alright, I'll let you, but you should be home by dinner."

"Horeeee.I promise you."

Lizzie kissed her mother's cheek and she felt a sweet sensation of happiness suddenly stir her up. Antonina secretly likes Lizzie's impulsive loving nature.  He immediately ran into the house with a happy face and immediately called Fanya.

"I'm allowed to go to Mr Carver's house, what about you?’’

"I am too."

"You wait for me at my usual place and soon I'll be gone."

‘’Good."

"Oh I forgot, we have to tell Mary that we're coming there. See you Fanya!

Lizzie then contacts Mary and says she and Fanya are coming.

Lizzie left with the best possible appearance, wearing a red, sleeveless canal dress and her hair was braided in two and adorned with red ribbons. The clothes he was wearing displayed every curve of his thin body clearly and he was also wearing his white hat with a red ribbon decoration. Lizzie and Fanya stood and stared at each other.They smiled and Lizzie ran towards him.

"It's been waiting for me?’’ask Lizzie.

"No, I just came. You look beautiful today."

"Thank you!’’answer Lizzie shyly. "alright. Come on!’’

They both walk along the main road. Far away was a collection of Birch trees where there was a road they used to go to school.

From the main road they turn to the right and there are many rows of houses whose courtyards are filled with various kinds of colorful flowers. Lizzie can also see peony flowers, mayflower flourishes on the side of the road .The old Ferguson house now occupied by Jack Carver began to be seen.

A stone-walled and two-storey house looks not as dazzling to Lizzie. In the garden there were no flowers growing. The house looks cold and uninspired. The boys are gathered at Jack Carver's house. Mary and Francesca Doyle emerge from the door.

"I'm glad you two can come,’’tujar Mary.

"Where is Mr Carver?’’ask Fanya.

"I haven't seen it since,’’ Mary replied.

"If Mr. Carver is receiving guests,’’ said one of the girls wearing glasses.

"Oh...’’kata Francesca.

On the table there are various favorite snacks of children. There are lollipops, chocolate, pastries, apple pie, plum pie, and a wide variety of chips. Lizzie chose plum pie among all the snacks. He hasn't forgotten the delicious plum pie Fanya gave him back at the picnic yesterday.

"This plum pie tastes just as delicious as the pie you gave me. I'll never forget what it feels like."

"really?"

 Fanya tried to eat it.’’You're correct. It tastes the same as the plum pie Mr. Kalashnikov brought."

Not long after, Mr. Carver walked out of the next room with someone.

"Mr Kalashnikov,’’seru Fanya was happy and went straight to him.

"Ah Fanya, did not expect I would meet you here."

"me too. Are you and Mr Carver friends?’’ask Lizzie.

"We're both old friends."

From then on Lizzie noticed the three of them. Fanya told Cassei to approach her.

"This is Lizzie Thusenka. This is my friend I told you about yesterday."

"Oh so this is your friend who couldn't go on a picnic with us at that time."

"true."

"It's good to see you Lizzie."

"It's nice to meet you too. Thank you the plum pie tastes so good. My whole life I've never tasted a plum pie cake as delicious as the pie you're carrying. Plum pie made by my mother isn't that delicious."

"Hahaha.apparently you really like it. Then you play at my house sometime. I'm going to prepare a lot of plum pie for you and you too Fanya go to my house with Lizzie."

Fanya clasped her head.

"Eh, what is it? Are we not going to disturb you?’’ask Lizzie.

"Of course I can. You guys don't bother me at all. I am happy with your presence there. I've missed the sound of the kids."

"Thank you very much!’’yell at the two of them, then they return to their seats.

"Well, Carver, I have to go home first. You still have a show with the kids here, don't you? I hope you'll rethink my offer. You're the only person I can trust to investigate the Romanov mansion case. This time I really need your help,’’ he said half a whisper.

 "I'll consider it."

Nicola clasped Jack Carver's shoulder and walked away.

‘’Have fun kids." [ ]