— Laid out?
— Well, or crippled. Definitely took out the main one. Shatun.
Vera nodded.
— I saw. From the upper position. Beautiful shot.
— Thanks.
I tried to sit up. Head spun.
— Will they come back?
— Don’t know. But I think so. Retreated to regroup or call reinforcements.
Reinforcements. Kurganov. I remembered what I heard on Mikhey’s radio. “If you don’t handle it, I’m coming myself and closing the issue.” So, he will come. Personally.
— Help me up, — I said. — You need to lie down.
— No time. Need to check traps, replenish ammo. They will return, and we must be ready.
Vera looked at me for a long time. Then reached out her hand.
— Stubborn devil.
— Look who’s talking.
By evening we put the positions in order. I searched the bodies of dead mercenaries. Found two assault rifles, a pistol, several magazines. Not much, but better than nothing. Radio on one was smashed by a bullet. Pity, would have been useful.
Alina came out of the cave closer to night, pale, but on her feet. Looked at us, at my bandaged arm, at Vera with the rifle, and was silent.
— How are you? — I asked.
— Fine. — Voice weak, but firm. — I heard shooting. Thought that was it.
— Not yet.
She came closer, sat next to us.
— Nikolai Petrovich, I wanted to say thank you for everything. If not for you…
— Thank me later, when we get out.
— Will we get out?
I looked at her. Twenty-two years old. Still a child. But eyes already adult, heavy. Survived so much in two years, more than some survive in a lifetime.
— We will, — I said. — I promise.
At night via radio, trophy one found on another dead body, came a transmission. Crackle, static, and through them a voice. Calm, confident, authoritative.
— Ranger! Can you hear me, Ranger?
— I hear you, — I said.
— I think you already know who I am.
— I know.
— Excellent. Then listen carefully. You killed my people. You wounded Shatun. He might limp for the rest of his life now. You created very big problems for me. — Voice remained calm, but metallic notes appeared in it. — I give you a chance, Ranger. One and only. Leave here. Start a new life somewhere on the other end of the country. We forget everything that happened.
I was silent.
— Won’t give them up? I’m coming myself. With me are more people and the district prosecutor, by the way. Everything will be legal. You are an accomplice to escaped criminals, offered armed resistance during arrest. You will be shot, and no one will even blink. Well? What do you say?
I looked at Vera. She sat opposite, listening. Face stony, impenetrable. Looked at Alina. She was pale, frightened, but in her eyes not a plea — readiness. For anything.
Raised the radio to my lips…
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