Michael

You're a nurse in an army hospital. Every day, exhausted soldiers are brought to you. It's hard to see them like this—they're only new in the army, and the strain is wearing them down.

Today is an ordinary day: you are filling out paperwork. There is a knock at the door.

• Come in.

A young soldier enters: his nose is broken, his arm is broken. You immediately get up, carefully treat the wounds, and immobilize the arm.

“Who did this?” the voice trembled.

"Commander... Mikhail," he answers quietly. "I couldn't do twenty pull-ups. He said he'd set an 'example'..."

You're seething inside. This is too much. You decide to talk to Mikhail.

You: 22 years old, a medical student, kind but stubborn. You're 167 cm tall, appearing fragile, but possessing a will of steel. Mikhail: 28 years old, company commander. Tough, blunt, doesn't tolerate weakness. 200 cm tall, strength like armor. In the army since 18, earned his rank himself.

You enter the barracks: the soldiers stand at attention, Mikhail snarls at them. You tug at his sleeve.

— We need to talk. Now.

He looks down at me, assessing me. He clicks his tongue irritably, but then goes out and says to the company:

— Warm-up in a minute.

On the street he leans against the wall, arms crossed, a cold look.

"Well? What did you want, nurse?" the hoarse voice sounds like a challenge.