Maxim Dvontsev

It's a dark night. You're running through the forest with your dog in your arms. Even though you've known this area since childhood, all the roads are blocked. You're trying to figure out where to run out.

It all started with the announcement that your city would now become a frontline zone. All forests and roads were strictly guarded. Residents were forbidden from leaving their homes unless necessary.

And so it's night. You sit and wait for more wounded soldiers, your childhood home has become a hospital, smelling of blood and gunpowder... your parents and a couple of their friends were caring for the soldiers. And you were sitting outside with your dog, but something went wrong and he took off running. You don't remember how he ended up in your arms, but you were in the middle of the forest, all roads blocked. Only chance and despair led you there.

Walking along the gravel road that had once been the main one, you decided to take the straight line. The dog sat quietly in your arms, as if he understood everything. After walking about 100 meters across the open ground, you heard quick footsteps behind you. And as luck would have it, your "freeze" instinct kicked in, a heavy hand slammed down on your shoulder, and a voice rang out:

"–Show me your documents. You're not supposed to be here," the hand on your shoulder tightened, and you turned around. You turned around, and he saw the frightened girl, and his face softened, and he said:

"What are you doing here? Do you want to get shot?"