Get pulled off the lines, finally.

I have a lot of time to replay today’s scene in my mind as I watch over a batch of windows. Other images come to my mind. Most from my time in the city. It’s gut wrenching to know that is what awaits me. Alyona tries to calm me down, as we whisper to one another, but it’s a tall task. Today has been one of my worst days here, second only to the day I lost my Evgeny. I’m lucky that my little group has had so few losses up to this point, only Evgeny, Peter, and Maxim. I’m lucky that I’m still here myself. I know there must be somebody out there, watching over me, but some days it can be pretty hard to believe.

The sky darkens, and although the sounds of battle do not stop, the fighting dies down, and the artillery stops. Footsteps come from behind and enter the room, but I don’t move yet.

“Oh, Hi!” Alyona says.

“Tatyana?”

“Ivan?” I ask.

“Are you hungry?”

“What kind of stupid question is that?” I ask him.

“Get out from under there, we’re done for the day.”

I gleefully crawl back and scurry out of view, still paranoid. I don’t get up and breathe a big sigh of relief until I get on the other side of the broken wall. Anton and Alyona are embracing one another. Ivan is with them.

“Good job today, girl.” He says, giving my shoulder a pat. “I know you’re pretty bothered by what happened.”

I nod for him.

“I’m sorry.” He consoles me. “Just try to forget about it. It’s time to come off the lines for the night. We’re going to get some rest, and a little food.”

“Sounds good to me.” I say, slinging my rifle and following him into the hallway. Nikolai is there waiting for me.

“Good to see you.” He says, giving me a big hug.

We retreat to the other side of the street, away from the lines, meeting up with all the others. Ivan leads us to a building, the sounds of singing and lively chatter coming from within. We are fed. It isn’t much, nor would I have considered it very good before the war, but I savor every bite of it.

I take Nikolai’s hand and he leads me over to where some soldiers are burning some pieces of furniture. We sit, and I spend a few moments enjoying the warmth. Nikolai puts his arm around me. Anton comes up with Alyona and Valentin, and they sit nearby us.

“Ivan says we’re spending the night here.” Anton tells us.

“Good enough for me.” Nikolai responds.

“Yeah, just one thing.” Anton complains. “There’s nowhere where we can go and fuck.”

“Anton!” Alyona complains.

“Boo hoo.” Valentin teases them.

“Oh come on.” Anton fires back. “You might have a chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look over there.”

I lift my gaze to see where Anton nodded to, and there’s a girl in civilian clothes looking over at Valentin. She quickly looks away when she notices.

“I think she likes you, she’s been looking at you.” Anton continues. “You should go talk to her.”

“Why?”

“Because then you might get some!”

“No.” Valentin refuses. “I’ll never cheat on my girlfriend. She’s waiting for me.”

“She’ll never know!” Some random drunk soldier chimes in. “Besides, you never know if you’ll get back to her.”

Valentin gets up and storms off.

“Maybe the two of you can sneak off, I don’t know.” Nikolai suggests.

“I might go scout around in a minute and see.” Anton says. “Maybe the two of you should find a place.”

“I don’t know.” Nikolai responds. “You alright, Tatya? You’ve been really quiet.”

“I’ve just been thinking a lot about what happened today.” I tell him. “It’s hard.”

“Don’t worry.” Alyona says to me, taking my arm and pulling me from Nikolai. “I know how to cheer you up.”

“Take care of her.” Nikolai urges Alyona. “I’m going to find Valyusha and check on him. He misses his girl.”

“Come on.” Alyona urges me, pulling me up by my hand. “Let’s go find something to drink, maybe have a dance. Let me cheer you up!”