Catch up with an old friend

I find Dadonov near the infirmary.

“How did it go?” He asks me.

“About the way I expected.” I answer. “Fedorov called you a pussy.”

“A pussy? Why?” He asks and laughs nervously before looking over his shoulder.

“He said that you can’t protect me forever.” I explain.

“It won’t stop me from trying.” He says.

“Tatya!” I hear a voice call out behind me.

Sasha comes scurrying down the hallway to us.

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing!” She says. “You have a gun! What are you doing?”

“I have a new job now.” I tell her. “I’m actually in his squad.”

“About that.” Dadonov says to Sasha. “I came to check on the man I brought in earlier.”

Sasha gives us a long sigh before dropping her shoulders and looking down. “He, uh…” she begins. “He died.”

“Shit.” Dadonov mutters and kicks the ground. He covers his face with his hand.

“It was just too late.” She explains.

“It’s not your fault.” Dadonov assures her, seemingly regaining his composure.

“Sergeant?” Sasha asks. “Do you mind if I talk to Tatya for a minute?”

“Go ahead.” He tells her. “I’ve finished what I came here to do.”

He turns to me. “And you.” He says. “Get some rest. You need it.”

“We’ll only be a minute.” I promise.

He’s right. I haven’t felt this tired in a long time. I’ve been fighting to stay awake since I left Fedorov’s office.

Dadonov leaves Sasha and I alone.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” I tell her.

“Tatya, I’m late.” She says.

“Oh, don’t let me keep you.” I say.

“No.” She says. “You don’t understand. I’m late.”

“Chyort. How late?” I ask.

“At least a couple weeks, maybe three.” She says.

“What are we going to do?” She asks. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

“I’m thinking about it.” I tell her. I try to think but I’m so tired that it isn’t easy. One thought does come across my mind, but I don’t like it. I could go to Fedorov. He has the power to do something about this but I’m terrified of what he may want in return.

“I have an idea, Sasha.” I say with a sigh, before yawning. “But I have to sleep. Don’t worry, I’m going to do something about this.”

She gives me a big, tight hug before she watches me go. When I reach my squad’s room, almost everyone is already asleep. I lean my rifle up with the others and sit on the ground next to Artyom. I spend a moment looking at him. He’s fast asleep. I stretch myself out and lay on my side. I’m asleep in less than a minute.