The recollection of this story, which had been related to me in detail ten years earlier by three witnesses who had actually watched the drama unfold, distracted me briefly from our own problems. The sound of Eldar’s voice brought me back to reality.
“I hoped you’ve realized by now that we don’t have any other way out…”
It wasn’t enough for him to make everyone accept the decision imposed on them, he wanted everyone to confirm their wholehearted agreement with him.
As we were crossing the street a car came out from round the corner and separated us: Alik and Eldar ran across the road, but Marat and I were left behind.
“It would have been good if we’d been run over,” Marat said quietly. “All of us together, to put an end to everything straight away.”
The roadway was empty. Eldar and Al
