Back to the apartment

We waste no time going back to Sasha’s uncle’s apartment. He’s inside when we return and he greets us.

“How was your walk?” He asks us.

“It was terrible.” Sasha tells him. “There were destroyed buildings everywhere, and we heard shooting.”

“Shooting?” He asks. “Who was shooting.”

“We don’t know.” I answer. “But it was really close.”

The expression on his face darkens.

“It’s them.” He says. “It has to be.”

“Are they going to come here?” Sasha asks.

“I don’t know.” He responds. “Probably.”

“What are we going to do?” I ask.

“We’re going to have to lay low, especially the two of you.” He says. “I’m going to hide you as best as I can.”

“Why especially us?” Sasha asks.

“Because you’re two young girls.” He tells us solemnly. “I worry about what they might want to do to you.”

There is an uncomfortable break in the conversation. We both know what he is talking about.

“It’s starting to look like they’re going to pass us.” He says. “Our best bet is to lay low and try not to draw any attention. The army will come and liberate us before we know it.”

“The same army that’s out there losing right now?” I ask.

He doesn’t seem to have an answer for me.

“Have some faith Tatyana. They’re not going to let this go on forever. They’re gonna come. We just have to make it until then.” He says after collecting his thoughts.

“How long do you think it’s going to be?” Sasha asks.

“I don’t know.” He says. “But I can promise the two of you one thing. I’m going to do everything I can for you.”