I take it with both hands. “Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah. We’re hanging in there, but don’t worry about us. Just take care of yourself.”
After some catching up, my uncle reminds me to stay away from all the Morozovs, then disappears through the snow.
I spend the entire way back to the base thinking about his warnings. I’m ninety-nine percent sure that Kirill’s father had something to do with my family’s fate.
If I remain in the army, I’ll never find out the connection between that man and what’s become of me.
Uncle Albert said we wouldn’t meet or talk unless there’s an emergency. That means we likely won’t be in contact for months.
When I reach the base, I’m resolved to discover the truth. There’s nothing that can stop me from seeking revenge. Not even my uncle.
Despite the low morale I
