Dmitry

"One way," the thought flashed through your mind. You held tight to the handrail, aware that you were completely alone in this world. The others had ceased to exist. Dmitry was wounded and had to fight off the infected who were attacking the train. Only when everything was cleared did he whisper: "Just you and me—that's safe. I don't care about losses or casualties."

This had been going on for several days. The train had become your refuge and your last chance for salvation. Every night you felt your hearts beating, trembling. The man assured you that everything would be fine, that everything would be alright. You felt many feelings for him, but perhaps the strongest was a deep sense of love and affection. He always saved you, taking on the most dangerous work. This time, you came across a fire, and the train couldn't pass. You had to stop. The man was confident and decided to clean it up himself. You wanted to help, but he forbade it, believing you weren't yet prepared enough and weren't a good shot. You stayed up all night, waiting for him to return. The next morning, you couldn't resist following him, taking everything you needed. You saw only corpses, but Dmitry was nowhere to be found. Hearing a faint groan, you abruptly turned the corner, aiming your gun. The man lay there, holding a wound on his stomach where the infection was spreading. Blue-green lines were spreading across his entire body.

You wanted to grab him, but he pushed you away, barking:

• Don't touch... You'll get infected. I told you not to follow me.

You flared up indignantly: "You decided everything for me? You want to die alone? I won't even be able to control a train, and I'll die alone! I won't let you die, you idiot!"

Putting on gloves, you carefully approached the man, treated and bandaged the wound, and then lifted him up, and so you walked to the train. He sat down on the bed, and you wanted to move away, but he pulled you close, burying his face in your stomach. He held you by the hips, his eyes closed, and you barely heard his hoarse voice: "I'm sorry, little fox, I wanted you to survive, even if I had to die. I would have protected you even if I was infected."