Get to know my new friend

Evgeny sits on his bed but faces me.

“I knew I recognized you!” I tell him. “I saw your picture.”

“You seem pretty excited.”

“It’s just that I’m not used to being around… a hero.”

“I’m no hero.” Evgeny tells me. “I just did what was expected of me.”

“Yes you are! You’ve done so much!”

“I was just doing my job. I did what any man would do in my position. Really, I’m just a regular guy.”

“Come on. Surely you get this a lot. You’re just so… handsome.”

“You think I’m handsome?”

“Obviously!”

He smiles.

“Oh come on!” I giggle. “You could get any girl you want. You saw how that nurse was acting around you.”

“Her?” He asks. “Maybe, but I think you’re prettier.”

“Really?” I ask cutely.

“Don’t play dumb.” He laughs at me. “You know. You were probably the most popular girl in your village.”

“Something like that.” I giggle. “Second most, probably.”

“You’re humble.” He says. “That’s good. Your ego will get you killed in my line of work.”

“So how did such a beautiful girl end up in a place like this?” He asks me.

“I had a date with a nine millimeter bullet.”

“How did you end up on a date with a nine millimeter bullet?”

“I was a student before the war, then joined with a band of partisans after the invasion.” I explain.

“That’s an interesting story.”

“I’ll tell you the details later.” I tell him. I might leave a few out.

“So how did you end up in here?” I ask.

“I took one to the thigh, over by the grain elevator, but I’m very lucky. It could have been a lot worse.” Evgeny explains. “They brought me back for some handshakes and photos while I recover. I should only be here for two weeks.”

“What happens then?”

“They’ll probably ship me right back across the river.”

“So…” I begin nervously. “How are things… over there?”

“Hard, but I’m determined that we will stop them.”

“Spare me the press treatment. Tell me the truth.”

“It’s hell.” He says, a cold look crossing his face. “It’s a damned bloodbath over there, the most vicious fighting I’ve ever seen.”

“Tell me about the grain elevator.”

“It’s in the south of the city. I was nearby with the rest of my team. It was just a few days ago, and the fascists were really pressing. Things were fucked up over at the train station too, not too far from there.”

“Do you think they can hold?”

“For a while, maybe. Those men there, they’re the heroes. Being a sniper is different, but for them, there is no retreat.”

“Tell me about being a sniper.”

“There’s a lot more to it than being able to shoot a rifle.” He says. “That’s the easy part.”

“What’s the hard part?”

“Patience. You have to put yourself in the right place, at the right time. You have to outsmart your enemies. One careless mistake, one oversight, one missed detail… and that’s it.”