Visiting Hours
Irina had been putting this off for a long time, but she knew she would have to do it. She didn't want to do it, but it wasn't a matter of wanting. It was a matter of family obligation. He was her father and even though she didn't like him, she still had a responsibility toward him.

Irina smiled at the nurse behind the reception desk and identified herself as Nina Smith, daughter of the comatose Alex Smith. The nurse smiled and led "Nina" to a room at the end of a long hall. She smiled and motioned to the door.

"Thank you," Irina said without the slightest trace of an accent.

The nurse smiled and went back to her station.

Irina stood there and stared at the door. She shouldn't be this apprehensive. The man was in a coma and wasn't going to wake up anytime soon. Thank goodness. The world didn't need monsters like Alexi Shoshtakov running around in it.

Irina took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hello father," she said in Russian as the door closed behind her.