I knew. Kharitonov. That guard with the eyes of a beaten dog. Eight years of strict regime for someone else’s sins. It happens. Oh, how it happens.
— And what do you suggest?
— I suggest nothing. I just ask: let us go. You didn’t see us, you know nothing. We’ll go somewhere ourselves…
Because outside, very far away, at the limit of hearing, a sound rang out. An engine. Several engines. Uglyum jumped up, bristled. I rushed to the window. Lights were moving along the ravine from the clearing. Headlights. Three… No. Four cars. Or swamp buggies. Only the military have those here. Or…
— That’s not the police. — Vera’s voice behind my back became hollow, strained. — Those are his people. Kurganov’s. They have thermal imagers, they have weapons, and they have orders.
— What orders?
— Leave no witnesses.
I turned around. Vera stood with clenched fists. There was no fear in her eyes, only cold determination. Alina next to her looked like a shadow, like a ghost.
— Shoot, father, — said Vera. — Or listen. There is no third option. Only now there is no time for talk. Now either you are with us, or we go out and surrender. Then at least they won’t touch you. Maybe.
The lights were getting closer. Ten minutes to the lodge, no more. I stood in the middle of my cabin with a carbine in my hands looking at two women in prison robes. At the one who killed her daughter’s tormentor. At the one being prepared as a sacrifice for someone’s dirty games. The law said one thing, conscience — another.
I remembered the eyes of that guard in the courtroom. Remembered Kharitonov, who never answered for his deeds. Remembered the general who suggested I stay out of politics. Why I went into the forest… The decision came by itself, as if there was no choice at all.
— Into the cellar, — I said. — Both of you. Quickly. There’s a hatch under the bench. Sit quietly, like mice, so they don’t hear. Don’t stick your heads out.
Vera looked at me for a few seconds, then nodded.
— Thank you, father.
— Nothing to thank for yet. Move it.
They disappeared into the cellar. I pushed the bench back, threw some rags over it. Then walked to the stove and threw my radio inside. The plastic hissed, crackled, caught fire. There was no turning back.
Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Polite, careful, like guests arriving.
— Master of the house! Anyone alive?
I opened it. Three men stood on the porch. Strong, in camouflage, armed. Faces calm, businesslike. Professionals.
— Good evening, — said the senior one. Tall, grey-haired, with cold fish eyes. — Ranger, I presume? We are from the hunting estate, checking a signal. They say there might be fugitives here. Two broads from “The Seven.” Seen them?
— Haven’t seen them. — I shrugged. — I haven’t been here for three days, doing rounds. Just arrived, the stove was cold.
The grey-haired man looked me over carefully, studiously. Then shifted his gaze to Uglyum, who stood next to me and growled quietly.
— Your dog is nervous. Doesn’t like strangers.
— Got it. — He paused. — Well, if you see anything, give a whistle. Here’s the frequency. — He handed me a piece of paper. — There will be a reward.
— Understood, will whistle.
They walked towards their vehicles. But the grey-haired one turned around at the all-terrain vehicle:
— The doors. Two sizes. Women’s.
I saw him frown.
— We’ll be back, father, — he said quietly. — We’ll check better. These are wild places. You never know.
The buggies roared and went into the darkness. I stood on the porch and watched them go. My heart beat evenly. Strange. I thought I would be afraid. But there was no fear. Only clarity. Not for conversations.
When the roar of engines faded in the distance, I stood on the porch for a few more minutes, listening to the darkness. The forest was silent. Even the wind died down, as if hiding along with me. Uglyum nudged his nose into my palm. I mechanically patted his scruff.
— We’re in trouble, brother, — I said quietly. — In trouble up to our ears.
He looked up at me. In the dog’s eyes — only devotion and readiness to follow me into fire or water. If only people could do that.
I returned to the hut, slid the bolt. Moved the bench, opened the cellar lid.
— Come out. They left…
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