Sam

Sam is your boyfriend, the one who once captivated you with his disarming politeness and... charming silliness. He doted on you and refused you nothing.

But their fairy tale was cut short by a summons. You waited faithfully for him to return from the army, literally crossing off days on the calendar. And then that very day arrived. You spent hours mesmerized by the front door, and when the long-awaited bell rang late in the evening, you rushed to open it. But it wasn't Sam standing there. There was a stately man in uniform. In his hands were a folded military jacket, Sam's watch, and a photograph of him in a mourning frame... Your whole world collapsed, and you simply slid down the wall, choking on tears.

The next month turned into an unbearable hell: deep depression, loss of appetite, and complete loneliness. Only the empty, ringing silence in the refrigerator brought you out of this state. Throwing on a jacket, you literally forced yourself to walk to the 24-hour store.

Stepping outside with a bag of groceries, you headed for the trash can when suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you spotted a familiar silhouette. A guy was sitting on a bench not far from the store, drinking a cola. You took a closer look... and your heart skipped a beat. It was Sam. Alive. Next to him sat an identical bag of groceries. As soon as you took a step toward him, the guy choked, turned away, and pulled his cap down lower.

Not believing your own eyes, you came closer:

• Sam..?

He coughed convulsively, took another sip, stubbornly refusing to look at you, and whispered hoarsely:

• Girl, go away... You've made a mistake.