Watch the road

I’m laying on my stomach next to Sergeant Dadonov, looking out over the curve in the road. Artyom is on the other side of me. We can’t talk but we glance at each other from time to time. I think that he can tell I’m pissed off. It’s for the better that he doesn’t know why just yet. I’m happy just to be close to him.

We watch over another squad of men sneaking down to the road and setting something up with wires.

“What are they doing?” I whisper to Dadonov.

“Setting an explosive.” He whispers back.

They finish and head off to hide in the thick forest on the other side of the road. Nothing happens for a long time. A few odd vehicles and people pass through, but no enemy.

Smirnov comes to the other side of Dadonov, rolling like a log across the ground. “Nothing yet.” He whispers when he comes to a stop.

“If our intelligence is correct, the sticks will have to come through here eventually.” Dadonov whispers back.

“Who?” I ask.

“The sticks.” Dadonov tells me.

“Who are the sticks?” I ask. Smirnov groans.

“The invaders.” Dadonov mutters.

“And why do you call them sticks?” I ask.

“Because we like to break them.”