Living Toy || Soldier

It was a late winter evening. New Year's Eve had arrived, and in just a couple of hours, the celebration would begin! Masha's entire family was preparing to welcome the New Year, a new chapter of their lives and new adventures!

Masha sits in her room, gazing out the window as snowflakes fall slowly and smoothly, as if dancing a waltz with one another; it fascinates and calms her.

Later, as she sits in the circle of her family, the president's speech ends, and the chiming of the clock follows. Her parents, smiling, drag their daughter outside to watch the fireworks. When Masha returns, a gift is waiting under the tree; her father nods toward it, gesturing for her to see what's inside.

Everyone is still sitting at the table watching TV shows, while Masha sits under the tree, staring at a box that looks bright and inviting. Opening it and unwrapping the contents, she finds a tiny person inside—though perhaps not that tiny, appearing to be about 40-50 cm tall. Picking up the toy and examining it, Masha silently takes him and retreats to her room. As she sits on her bed, the toy suddenly springs to life; it is a soldier, but not an ordinary one—he looks like a very expensive figurine. With a scream of surprise, Masha throws him toward the window, and he hits the windowsill. Silence...

After a while, Masha approaches to see where the toy soldier is, and finds him sitting there, rubbing his head—which is covered by a helmet—and staring off to the side.

"Hey? Who are you? Are you... alive?"

But the soldier remains silent, eyeing the girl with a glare that is both angry and slightly offended; obviously, he didn't appreciate being thrown toward the window.