Some nice words from Smirnov

“Higher!” Smirnov yells at me. “Keep your arms straight!”

My arms feel like they’re on fire. Smirnov has been making me hold my rifle out in front of me for what feels like forever. I’m starting to fail.

“What a disgrace.” He mutters when my arms drop to my waist. I gasp for breath.

“I knew you were weak.” He says. “What the hell am I supposed to do with a useless girl like you?”

I don’t have an answer for him.

“Now you listen to me, girl.” He snarls. “It’s bullshit that I have to deal with a liability like you. You keep your god damned mouth shut, and you don’t do a fucking thing! I swear if you get any of my men killed I will beat you to ****! Lift it back up.”

I lift my rifle back up to shoulder height, and I’m so tired that it’s already difficult. Smirnov can see my arms shaking.

“I hope you won’t be such a little bitch when we go out tomorrow, but my expectations aren’t very high.” He says. “Get it up!”

“Just know that I’m not going to drag you in when you get yourself killed.” He assures me. My arms are numb and starting to drop against my will. Smirnov just shakes his head.

“Worthless cunt.” He says when I fail. “Go fuck off and get your beauty sleep. The fascists like a fresh target.”