Chapter 4: The People's Leningrad

Gleb sighed as he walked down the streets of what was now Leningrad. The people seemed to still be living in the Tsar's St. Petersburg, which wasn't making it easy for Lenin to create the new Russia he longed for. One where everyone was equal. Gleb thought of his twin sister, and how she would be the perfect personification of the new Russia he longed for. She was beautiful, spirited, and prideful. She was everything Russia was.

Minka stayed at her brother's side. She saw the look on Gleb's face. Her brow raised, her lips twisted to form the words, "What are you thinking?" Gleb looked down at the girl who was just two inches shorter than he. "I'm thinking we help the people see the possibilities of the new Russia. In order to do that, I'll need you, and please, wear your hat. It'll help show the difference between the old Russia and the new Russia," Gleb grinned from ear to ear. Minka chuckled, "I'm already wearing it, Gleb." The grin on Gleb's face became one that was filled with ideas. "Perfect."

"Before I do anything, I want to know what you're thinking," Minka laughed. Gleb licked his lips and said, "You are everything Russia is supposed to be. You're beautiful, spirited, and prideful. What if the people had some motivation to help them believe in Lenin? Just something that will set their hearts aflame with hope. Hope that someday, this country will be as beautiful as you."

"Gleb, your flattery doesn't always work, but now you sold me. I am in. You know how loyal I am to this country, to Lenin. I'd do anything just to help," Minka spoke. Gleb smiled and softly sang, "The Neva flows, a new wind blows, and soon it will be spring, the leaves unfold, the Tsar will lie cold. You helping me is a simple thing." Minka stared up at him. "Are you going to grab my hat off my head?" she inquired. "Yes, but remember what I said years ago in Ufa 'Consider it a leap for the new Russia'?" Minka nodded. "This is what I was talking about. The new Russia is happening now."

Gleb snatched Minka's hat, grinning at her. Minka sighed and went to grab her hat. "Gleb, give it back," she groaned. "I'm cold!" "This thing couldn't keep a squirrel warm," Gleb laughed. "It gives a little warmth, now give it back." He raised a brow and gave it to her. Minka pulled it on, tossing her red hair over her shoulders. "Let's get this over with," Minka sighed.

"Get used to this," Gleb chuckled. "It'll be over when people are singing the song of the revolution," Gleb smiled. "Now come on. I've had this planned for years and I'm not letting the Imperial family still being alive get in the way of this." Minka groaned and followed him. She whined, "Where are we going?" Gleb smiled, "You'll see. Now hush for now. You promised you'd help me with this."

"Gleb, I never promised anything," Minka spoke quickly as she was being pulled behind her brother. "Technically you did. You said you'd do anything for the new Russia," he grinned. Minka sighed, "I hate it when you're right." "I know you do," Gleb laughed. "Now, come on, Minka!"

"Remind me again what I'm doing," Minka sighed. Gleb looked at her for a moment, "You're being a big help by showing the potential of the new Russia. Don't question anything else. You are staying at my side. You'll have to forgive me if I start remarking about how cold you appear, I'm going to use that as the examples of the old Russia. Your personality is the new Russia. Do you understand what I am telling you?" Minka nodded and muttered, "Yes, I understand." Gleb patted her hat covered head, "Good girl."

"Stop that!" She swatted at his hand. Gleb laughed and pulled her over to what seemed to be a small makeshift stage. Must belong to the Bolsheviks, she thought, joining her brother after he had climbed up on it. Gleb grabbed her arm and pulled her up on the stage, causing a small pain to shoot through her shoulder and back.

"I'm not going to stop," he whispered. He saw the crowds of people approach, "Comrades, we hear you. The revolution is hearing you. We understand your worry. We understand your fear. Change can be hard. It's scary. But there are other things that are of a concern to me. The current state of Russia, our beauty. There is nothing more concerning than seeing people shivering under a bridge and starving. There's another thing I don't like seeing, and it's not just those under a bridge, it's those in the streets." Minka was growing increasingly uncomfortable.

People in the crowd started to murmur amongst one another. "We are trying our best to change Russia for the better. We want her to be as beautiful as this young woman." He knew better than to say her name or her relations with him. "She's everything Russia should be. She's filled with spirit, pride, and beauty, even if you can't tell how wonderful she is from her appearance. That's how we are, as a nation. We seem cold and shallow at the moment, but once everyone is equal and we reveal the spirit, pride, and beauty we have within us, we will be the best!"

Minka tried to sneak away, not truly wanting to stand any longer. Her legs were shaking from the cold. Her back and shoulder was aching. Bitter winds nipped at her hands and ears. Gleb was right, her clothing, mainly her hat, could barely keep a squirrel warm. She looked at him, whispering in his ear, "I'm freezing." Gleb sighed, taking his glove covered his hands and wrapping them around Minka's exposed skin.

He stepped off of the makeshift stage, then helped her down. "Here," he took his coat off and handed it to her. "Gleb, you'll freeze," she protested. "I will not because we are going in that shop right across the street. Now put it on, you stubborn girl." Minka sighed and slid his jacket onto her thin body. "It's much too big," she giggled like a schoolgirl. "Well, we'll get one that fits you." Minka looked up at him. "Thank you, Gleb. You're a sweetheart." "I am not," he mumbled, a faint streak of pink tinted his cheeks. Whether it was from the cold, bitter winds or embarrassment, Minka didn't know, but liked to think it was the latter.

"You sweet girl, you found something in me that not many could," Gleb smiled, keeping Minka close to him. "If you feel hungry, let me know. I'll take you to the tea shop if you do," Gleb told her. Minka nodded and followed him to the shop across the street. "Everything I do, I do to keep you safe. I don't care what trouble I get into for doing this, if it's for Russia, our beauty, I'll risk it. Just promise me you won't cross any borders without an exit visa." Minka sighed, "I promise."

"Good. I don't want you to get in trouble." Gleb pulled the door open, allowing her to go inside first. "Such a gentleman," Minka murmured loud enough for him to hear. "Stop it," he muttered once he was standing behind her. "I will not." Gleb rolled his eyes and sighed. "You are impossible." "Oh, no, just filled with pride, as you said," Minka grinned. Gleb gave her a stern look. "Your words, not mine," she shrugged innocently.

The shopkeeper took notice of Gleb. His eyes lit up when he saw Minka at his side, "Gleb, who might this be? Have you found a girl at last?" Minka's cheeks turned bright red. Did this person not know she had feelings for someone else, a con man from what she knew? Would she see the person she had eyes for again? The last time she saw the man was when she was seventeen and he was sixteen. How long had it been? She said nothing.

"No, no," Gleb laughed, "this is my twin sister, Minka. She's in need of some new clothes." The shopkeeper nodded and walked around the counter. "Let's see, over there are blouses, there are skirts, next to the skirts are dresses. Then over there are chemises," he pointed to the far wall. "We keep everything close together. Pick out what you like and I'll have my assistant fix it for you, if it doesn't fit, I mean." "Thank you," Minka murmured, grabbing Gleb's hand and pulling him over to the wall. "Why am I being dragged into this?" he asked.

Minka sighed, "It was your idea." Gleb huffed, "I suppose you're right." Minka chuckled, slowly becoming disheartened as she soon realised nothing was going to fit her small frame. It didn't help that she was taller than average. The average for a lady was five foot five, Minka was three inches taller than that. She put her head down. "What's wrong?" Gleb pondered. "I don't want to talk about it," Minka responded.

Gleb raised a brow. "Minka, I can't help you if you don't tell me anything." Minka looked up at him. "I'm sure you'll figure it out on your own in a few seconds," she murmured, deciding to look through the mountain of fabric. It was then it seemed to click in Gleb's mind. "You're disheartened because you know it won't fit," he whispered. "Maybe," Minka grumbled, pulling a white shirt off of the top of the pile. She held it against her and turned to where she faced Gleb. "Too plain?" she asked. "No," he responded. "I think it would look good on you." Minka quietly laughed and shook her head. "You can be a little too sweet sometimes, you know that?"

"You're my sister, I want to give you some hope," Gleb smiled at his sister. "I'll speak with the shopkeeper, let him know what's going on. Would that make you feel better?" he pondered. Minka looked at Gleb, "Yes it would. Thank you." Gleb put a hand on his sister's shoulder, "I'll be back in a few moments. I promise." Gleb walked off to find the shopkeeper. He sighed, unsure of how to explain the problem.

"Something wrong, Gleb?" "Just a small problem, I'm sure," Gleb mumbled. "My sister... God only knows how long she was out on the streets. I didn't know it and found her yesterday. Nothing will fit her." The shopkeeper muttered, "Oh... Well, that's no problem at all. I'll have Marie come out and help her. Marie knows where everything is over on that side of the shop." Gleb chuckled and nodded his thanks before hurrying back to Minka. "Marie, whoever she is, is coming to help you. I'm guessing I still have to stay?" Minka nodded.

Gleb began to grow curious, "Minka, how tall are you?" He just now realized his sister was nearly the same height as he. Minka sighed, "I'm five foot eight." His eyes widened, no wonder nothing would fit her. She was taller than what he originally assumed. "How and when did you get so tall?" Minka laughed, "Our parents, Gleb. We came from a line of tall people." Gleb sighed, "How could I have forgotten?"

"I don't know, considering you are around six foot, are you not?" Minka inquired. "Roughly, I'm not exactly sure," he scratched the back of his head. "What do you mean you're not exactly sure? I thought you would know your exact height so you could rub it in." Gleb laughed, "It totally slipped my mind." As the two continued to converse, a middle aged woman with stringy blonde hair approached them. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I'm Marie," she spoke quickly and softly.

"Hi," Minka said shyly. Marie looked at the woman who stood beside Gleb, unsure if she was Russian or German. "Where are you from?" Marie asked in curiousity. Minka sighed, "I'm from Russia, same as everyone here... in Russia." Marie chuckled, "Sorry, I thought from your height you were German." Minka chuckled, "Height runs in the family, both my brother and I are on the tall side of the spectrum."

Marie nodded. "Well, let's see what we can find then." Marie started to go through the pile of shirts. "What kind of shirts do you like?"

Minka felt a twinge of pain. The last person who had asked her that was the Tsar, Nicholas, when he wanted her to feel as though she was a Romanov. She didn't respond. It brought back too much pain. She didn't want to respond. She looked at Gleb, for he knew her better than she did. How could she respond to that question without crying? The answer... she couldn't. There wasn't anything that could correct what happened. Her former employers would be dead by week's end and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She could just feel the dread crawl up her back.

"Minka?" Gleb hesitantly touched her back. She turned and looked at him. "You know, can you answer?" she whispered. He nodded and gave Marie the answer. Marie clicked her tongue and started to dig through the pile of shirts. "Let's try this one. It's a green color."

Minka shrugged, willing to try it on. She didn't know what else was across the street, the Ipatiev House. The very place where the Romanovs were now residing. She didn't know they could see into the shop window. She had no idea that they were looking through the windows, seeing her every move.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ipatiev House~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anastasia gasped as she saw Minka through the window of a shop. "Mama! Papa! Look at this!" She called over her shoulder. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Anastasia felt a twinge of joy. "What is it, my princess?" Nicholas gave a small smile at his daughter's joy. "It's Minka! In the shop, with a man."

"Are you sure it's Minka?" Olga questioned, then saw the red hair that could be considered the color of flames. "It's her," Anastasia smiled. Alexandra had noticed Minka through the window and spoke, "She's gotten so tall." Tatiana allowed Alexei to look through the window to see the woman who cared for him. "Take a look, Alexei," Tatiana smiled. "I can't believe how much she's grown after three years," Maria spoke in shock.

"I wonder who that man is. I always thought she'd end up with Dima!" Olga exclaimed. "Oh, hush, Olga. That's her brother, Gleb," Alexandra spoke. "How do you know?" Tatiana inquired. "We met him, didn't we? Look at him, he's just gotten taller and a little older, like she has," Nicholas responded. Alexei stared at the man. "They're right!" he exclaimed. "He's the one that held Minka's hat above her head!" Anastasia wished that she could speak to Minka, but she knew that she couldn't. She remembered the promise the man had made when they led them inside the house, but she was no dummy. She had overheard the conversations that happened in the hallway. By the end of the week, not a one of them locked in the room would be living.

"I wish she could see us, I wish she knew what was going on," Anastasia cried softly. Clearly she hadn't seen the little display earlier, the talk of the new Russia. "Anastasia, remember when we had that talk about how times have changed, and with that change in time, so do people?" Alexandra pondered. Anastasia nodded, "But what does that have to do with Minka?" Tatiana, Olga, and Maria looked at their father, Nicholas, who was the only one of them who had witnessed what had been said. They spoke, "Tell her."

"She's a Bolshevik, darling. She was with one of them earlier on a stage," Nicholas murmured. He watched Anastasia's heart break. "No, she can't be! At least, not like them! Maybe she doesn't know what they're doing to us," Anastasia whispered. "She does. She does know." Nicholas kicked at a pebble on the floor. "How do you know that?" Tatiana spoke up. "She's been here. The window, she comes by every now and then and tells me what's going on," Nicholas explained. Alexei, who didn't really understand what was going on, looked up at his mother. "Isn't the Bolsheviks nice? They promised we'd be safe," he said. Alexandra looked up at Nicholas. "Alexei, oh God," Nicholas lowered his voice to a whisper.

The Romanovs watched as their former servant left the shop and approached the Ipatiev House. They heard a tap on the window and looked up. "Papa, can you open the window? It's Minka," Anastasia spoke. She desperately wanted to hear Minka's voice again. It had been too long since they heard the girl's voice.

Nicholas opened the window. "What are you doing here?" he whispered. "I came to see you," she responded. "My brother told me what was going to happen. I'd feel terrible if I didn't come to see everyone one last time." Nicholas sighed. "Please don't mention that to Alexei. He still thinks—" "I won't, you don't have to worry. I know what he thinks, well, what my father told him." "That's your father?" Anastasia murmured as she leaned against the window sill. "Yes," Minka sighed. "That's my father. Whether or not he'll do the right thing, I have no idea, but one can hope, right?"

"The right thing, and what might that be?" Alexandra questioned. A wicked smile came to Minka's face. She had learned the truth of the Romanovs through her two years of employ as a Bolshevik notetaker. Her voice hissed, "Ending you. I'm going to love seeing the end of your misery. I'm going to love seeing the new Russia." The Romanovs gasped, "What have they done to you." Minka chuckled, "Absolutely nothing. I know the truth now. You may have taken the child out of Ufa, but you haven't taken Ufa out of the child." Alexei approached her, "Minka, you'll tell them to spare us, won't you?" Minka glared, "Believe me, I told them of your condition. They'll end your misery and suffering."

"What does that mean?" Alexei asked. "Don't worry, you'll find out. Tatiana, Olga, Maria, still as beautiful as you were the day I left. Not wearing those fancy gowns anymore? Such a shame," Minka clicked her tongue. "Well, I better get going. My father and brother will kill me if they find out I've been talking to you. Ta-ta!" She hurried off, leaving them in shock. "What's happened to her, Papa?" Anastasia whispered, a single tear running down her face. "Her father, maybe her brother, filled her head with things that aren't true," Nicholas sighed. "I swear she wasn't like this the last time we spoke." He turned to Alexandra, who held Alexei close to her. "When was the last time you spoke?" Alexandra murmured. "Last week, maybe? I don't know," Nicholas groaned, shutting the window. "No, leave it open. I need the fresh air," Tatiana mumbled, going to sit by the window with Anastasia.

"Niki, since you were the only one of us to watch what had occurred today, why don't you tell us what Minka and her brother were doing on that stage," Alexandra spoke. She wanted to know what happened to the girl she once knew. "What has happened to our sweet little servant?" Alexandra sighed. Alexei rose a brow. "What did she mean by them ending my misery and suffering?" the thirteen year old child pondered. Olga had the words click in her mind. She knew what it meant. Minka, with the help of Gleb, had told their father to end Alexei first. They had written down the order in which the Romanovs should end.

"Oh God, Mama, I've just figured something out," Olga muttered. "Alexei is first. They've already made a list, one that says who ends when." Alexandra gasped. "Niki, now would be the time to tell us what's going on."

Nicholas heaved a sigh. His voice shaking as he spoke, "They're doing this for a new Russia. Our Petersburg is now Leningrad. We now have nothing. I had no idea that things would come to this. I had no idea Minka would've turned against us. I heard what her brother was saying, saw how she was used to give people a vision of what our nation should be, and I don't like saying it, but apparently we aren't a part of it." Tatiana gulped, she saw the look on Olga's face. She didn't like it when there was nothing to be done. It would be over at the end of the week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Leningrad Streets~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where did you go?" Gleb asked when Minka appeared at his side again. "I got distracted," she lied. "I saw a dog and chased after it." Gleb laughed and shook his head. The twins walked side by side, Gleb wrapping an arm around Minka's shoulders. "Do you want to go home now?" Gleb inquired.

"Yes, I would like that very much," Minka responded. Gleb wasted no time in leading her to the flat. Gleb never let go, he had to keep her safe from harm. "I think what happened was a step in the right direction, and as soon as the Imperial Family is just a part of history our new life can truly begin. Just imagine how safe we'll be. Imagine the equality." Minka just nodded, not speaking, just absentmindedly nodding. Gleb quietly added, "Imagine the new Russia." Minka nodded absent minded once again, not wanting to say anything more. She could already imagine the new Russia. She knew what was going to happen next. It was the end.

A/N: This may be one of the shorter chapters, but that's just saving for the intensity that will come next. Chapter 5 is on it's way with a familiar song. Girlmeetsmusic and I have been doing nods for the past four chapters, and might I say this is getting closer and closer to a huge moment that made my spine tingle when seeing it live. That's right, "The Neva Flows" is next. The only nod in this chapter is "The Neva Flows (5)" or "The New Russia". I have started a few chapters, and I have sadly not been starting chapters. I promise, by Chapter 6, you will see an introduction once again. I find that the chapters with huge key points are the ones that I enjoy writing the most with girlmeetsmusic. We have been collaborating on this since November 19th and we are already on chapter 4. It has been a long journey that has only been a few days. The page total on google docs is now at 101. Just imagine that, a collaboration has gotten 101 pages on google, and the past three chapters on mobile devices has met 230. Thank you all for reading. See you in the next chapter.