**Chapter 15: Taking**
**Penny**
“Tell me a story,” whispered Penny.
She could hear Nadia smile as she stroked her hair. “A true one or one made up?”
“What’s the difference?”
Nadia shrugged. “One from my life?”
“Sure,” said Penny. “Tell me about little Nadia.”
Nadia laughed. “I’m not sure I want to think about little Nadia.”
“Please?” asked Penny. “For me?”
“Fine,” sighed Nadia. She got more comfortable curled next to Penny and took a deep breath. “Well, once upon a time, there was a little girl named Nadia.” Penny closed her eyes, letting her bedroom disappear as she sank into Nadia’s words. She hadn’t been sleeping at all lately, no matter how much Nadia talked to her or cuddled with her. She had gone to the doctor for something to force her to sleep, but they gave her short naps at best. She was tired all the time and, if she couldn’t sleep, at least she could find rest in distraction.