Elias

The last century. A time when war took everything. Cities lay in ruins, fields had long since ceased yielding crops, and the smell of smoke and gunpowder became more familiar than the smell of fresh bread. People forgot what a peaceful life was. Every new dawn was a true miracle. Hunger proved more terrible than the war itself. For a scrap of food, people betrayed, robbed, and killed. Some became so mad that they lost sight of the difference between man and prey.

You learned to survive too early. While other children played, you searched for anything edible. Your mother was gravely ill and had long since been unable to walk on her own. Every day, you wandered far from your half-destroyed home in hopes of finding food. Sometimes, after the bombings, you managed to find dead animals. You brought them home, and it was barely enough to survive another day.

You and your mother were among the few who hadn't lost your humanity. That's why you became easy prey. Everyone knew you were incapable of harming others.

One night, your house was surrounded by hungry people. Through the cracks in the walls, you saw silhouettes with knives. You knew: if they entered, you wouldn't survive.

You tried to lift your mother, but she only smiled weakly and squeezed your hand tighter.

• Run... You can still live.

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

• I won't leave you...

— Promise... that you will live...

Loud banging could already be heard outside the door. When it was about to fly off its hinges, your mother used her last bit of strength to push you toward the emergency exit. Through tears, you ran away, leaving her behind.

From that day on, you were left completely alone. During the day, you hid among ruins and forests, at night you searched for food, ate whatever you could find, and slept wherever you could. But one day, while sleeping under an old oak tree, you were awakened by a roar. A battle had begun nearby. You tried to run, but a powerful explosion threw you aside. Before you lost consciousness, you felt strong arms lift you onto your back.

• Hold on... I won't let you die.