Through many corridors and chambers Alexei led the sisters three, explaining their various duties. As they passed a particularly nondescript door he suddenly stopped. “This door is forbidden. It is never to be opened by anyone, at any time, for any reason.”
“What is in there?” asked Nedana.
“Brooms.” At this poor joke Nedana’s face showed more interest, so Anna elbowed her in the ribs, as she had noticed Alexei’s eyes narrowing at the question. Back through the maze of filing rooms and chambers the girls followed Alexei. As they entered the main office he turned and said, “If you are loyal to the capital you will not open the door.” He particularly looked to Nedana and his words contained the same hint of danger. “The day is long comrades, I will see you on the morrow.” Anna turned and headed for the door when she felt a hand grip her shoulder. “Anna, you would do well to observe your sister. See that she does not offend the capital.” The grip was gone and Anna walked to the door. Alexei’s advise seemed to her more a threat, yet, she reflected, her eye would not soon leave Nedana.
“What do you think is behind that door?” Nedana asked Anna many days later, over and again. “Are you completely foolish Nedana?” Anna answered. “Alexei has virtually told us we will be breaking a law of some kind if we go in. Forget the door.”
“But there must be something interesting in there. How could they possibly know?”
“Forget the door.” Nedana desisted, but her face remained alight with thought and wonder.
There was a break for lunch at one, which Anna often spent with her sisters. This day, however, Nedana was not at lunch, nor did she return for work. “Where is your sister, Anna? Is she not well?” An innocent smile was on Alexei’s visage, yet, the warmth of the smile did not melt his tone. The bite of Moscow’s chill seemed to grow more savage.
Polina, Anna’s eldest sister, was distraught at the disappearance of Nedana. Her pillow was soaked at night from tears and she was constantly fidgeting with her hands. Each time they passed the forbidden door it held Polina’s gaze until Anna coaxed her away. The building was becoming more oppressive. Nedana had been missing a week and Polina was aching. The typewriters had been cracking loudly and bored into the girls heads. Polina stood and was rather wobbly. Anna looked up and found Polina with a strange, desperate look on her face, tottering on her feet. Suddenly she charged and skidded out of the room. Sprinting, she sped through the building and crashed through the door. Anna had barely stood up when she heard booming thuds, as though cabinets were being flung. The noise had attracted the attention of the building, which realising what had occurred, sprung to action as Anna had never seen. Burly security guards were wrestling with a petrified Polina when Anna came to the door.
Anna didn’t see Polina after the arrest. She imagined that what she felt must have been what Polina had when Nedana disappeared. She found herself staring at the door and starting at slight or sudden movements. The sound of typewriters keys pounded her skull and made her clench her hands.
