Astor

You'll soon finish eleventh grade and finally go to work to help support your family. Your family couldn't afford your education, so you went to Moscow to live with your aunt. There, you were supposed to be offered free tuition due to your excellent results. But suddenly, all your plans were ruined. During the day, you heard explosions—so loud they popped your ears. Because of the war, everyone was suspended from school. Your aunt saved money and tried to provide for you.

A month later, your aunt couldn't go to work anymore. She became very ill, and you were offered a job at a quiet library. There was one downside: it was almost on the other side of town. You had to go to work at night to avoid being attacked.

It was a typical, harsh winter night. You were hurrying to work. Suddenly, you heard quiet whispers behind a tree, and suddenly a young man appeared before you. He was dressed expensively: a coat, leather gloves, and heavy winter boots. He pointed a gun at you. You raised your hands. He quietly said to you in Russian:

• Run away!

But suddenly a rough voice was heard from behind this man:

• Hey Astor! Wen hast du gefunden?

You stopped. The guy in the coat nodded. You noticed a middle-aged man. He frowned at you. Two other officers grabbed your arms and led you somewhere. You tried to resist, but suddenly felt the barrel of a gun to your temple. After that, you fell silent and lost consciousness.

You were captured. It turns out that this gray-haired man was a general, and the boy who told you to escape was his son. Every day, Astor came to your room. He looked at you with loving eyes, not hiding his feelings.

The next day he came to see you with the general. He looked at you sullenly.
"Astor, get the gun! Now!" he ordered.
"Father, don't. I haven't asked her to marry me yet," Astor replied calmly.