War of the heart ❤️

y 10th

ngrad

ad been called on patrol duty, and the new regiment commander requested him to come alone. He didn't quarrel with it. Instead, he found it as an opportunity. Per

t back at him and settle their rivalry at last. The only way he could see it was travelling across the oceans to find him, but such a project was daunting, and implausible at this point. There was still an en

ocent and carefree days of childhood had long since faded away, leaving only the stone cold reality of a cruel, unforgiving world. It was this reality he accepted wholeheartedly, as he felt that he would only retard himself from further advan

" Pavlenko greeted with a sa

urned, sharply saluting his su

expecting you. You will find him on t

k you

two warrant officers in full winter dress: dark brown coats and matching trouser

lonel is in here,

t led him right into the reception room, whe

maps, planning attack and defense. Across the wooden table he stood before were schematics of various landmarks throughout the city, ones of strategic importance no doubt. He wore a dark khaki uniform

p and greeted Cherto

nant Ilya Chertov!

him, just as he

de Lieutenant Colonel," he said un

rade Lieutenant.

while the lieutenant colonel found a bottle of l

or some vodka, co

I am on d

an answer. "I like that sense of professionalism! Capta

nd faced him with a look in

you cleared out all three German machine gun bunke

leared hi

but to be honest, the whole assault is a blur t

fierce combat. Many a man do I know who barely escaped de

ead in confusion at

ir

ckled, as if the laughter

ieutenant. Rambling is on

ly I am still left wonderi

ng his fingers in revelation. "Tell me, c

war,

war. Yes, th

a duty to save his country from certain oppression by the forces of fascism. The colonel, however, evidently wanted someth

would have much rather had us and the Germans at each other's throats than to have a treaty between us that in the end would only be broken. This war is merely a matter of us misplacing our t

er. A small shade of light was cast on him and reveal

Perhaps, then, you might be able to agree wi

tions on this, the most defining event of their young lives. Clearly, this officer ha

time, this war will also define us. Whatever the outcome may be, the victors of this conflict will not only be responsible for the defeat of fascism, but will also

e lying if he said he didn't feel a bit intimidated. Nonetheless he sat

this kind of speech was normal. "And I cannot disagree with yo

colonel said with a smile. "And it is because of your skill

raised a

of specia

ou at this time," the officer said, spinning on h

tand for his superior holding out on him. Why on earth was he called out specifically if he w

rpose of our meeting is for you to assign me a special mission, don't I at least have a right to know what the

nt said too much and now a decommission was in order. Chertov gulped hard, fearing that he had j

ant colonel cautioned. "Understand: I am giving you an opportunity, com

I at least know what I ha

onel was. He knew he recognized the face somewhere before, but just didn't recall. With the narrowing of his ice blue eyes an

h Peter Daniels, Ilya Pavlovich.

le slipping across his face. "I am surprised you

ally you and your rivalry with him. I promise i

outstretch

chn

nderstood him, his qualms, and his deepest feelings of enmity for the American boy that was always his ire. In an instant, he

ochna,

»

ey, Calif

ll the windows of the town were dark. No one knew they were arriving from such a long and arduous journey. All the townspeople were dreaming sw

1225 Bay Street," s

fare to the cabby and nudged the sl

're here.

me semblance of alertness after travelling tirelessly for many a week risk

go home

rather aback at how small and unfitting it seemed for a boy like Peter. She was certain his home would be much bigger, maybe a bit luxurious. She wanted to ask him why, but she

stepped in, and the journey was concl

se. His exploits seemed better placed in an adventure novel than in real life, and yet it was all too real. He had traveled through fire and ice to find her. He witnessed and partook in unspeakable horror to bring her back. He fough

to a new lif

r the ways of

.L

utter exhaustion from the weeks of travelling and being on the run from the Soviet authorities. She was turned on her side away from him, but Peter's heavy footsteps had her turned over. With much

d after everything," he sai

aid after a

qual to more than half a day, it came as no surprise to him, as he was quite on the verge of falling dead on the spot with her. Ho

?" he

she m

any more pain like what you felt before. I'll keep

oking at her while sleeping was looking into the face of an angel. And that was exactly what she was through all of this. An angel who had been misplaced in a cruel and inhuman mortal world. The innocent who was always fated to be trodden upon by the

my friend. Al

»

l fast asleep by the time he got up which was around two in the afternoon. He was certain that it felt like later to him, but he brushed it off as the remnants of jet lag. In the meantime, he

fore he returned, though given her natur

yus

left in the icebox that should be easy to prepare. I will be back in an hour or so. P

ros

th Tanya undisturbed, dead asleep as she was), and started out the door when he noticed something on

coat and a single row of buttons. There was a note latched on it with a safety pin. He pulled it

ve little

About time you had one of your own, since mine is about

lated Ch

ll

suited him very well, giving him a dapper and dignified look. He smiled contently, feeling comfortable in this new garment no longer having to be

turning up his collar. He did not wish to be singled out for praise and fanfare merely a day upon his return; he was more cont

re, hanging over the town like a blanket. For a moment he was back in Stalingrad, the houses standing ruins, the smoke from towering infernos, and the cloudy sky birthing snow to t

ing he set out to achieve. He completed his objectives. He brought her back safe and sound. It was all over

by a lowly beggar asking

t do you have any money f

ench coat pocket and scavenged some excess change he n

mehow feeling the need to get awa

for me, my boy. God'

you, o

et back into his po

house in the square. If he did not know any better he would have supposed the entire town was deserted except for lone travelers on empty sidewalks. He looked to the left and spotted the pharmacy where he worked. For all intents and purposes

essity. He occasionally would spot a familiar face in the store as he searched the shelves, but went on unnoticed much to his silent rejoice. This was not the day he wished to

ollars, 46

hier, hoping that he would stay unrecognized until he got

ange, mister. H

u t

ame and immediately saw the

ly curves evident through her heavy clothing. She wore a royal blue dress with a hooded cyan cloak strung over her shoulders to shield her from the cold.

any mood to talk to anyone today; he only sought home where he could not be questioned and could be allowed to readj

ans were t

reat surprise to see her frien

rned, secretly wishing fo

I was so worried that yo

t night, so I was in no positi

onded quietly. "Did y

be expected to go," he said, hinting at som

ponded with a sincere smile. "Did you accom

ed in the month of separation between them. "By some grace of God, I managed to

ou find a person unlike yourself who is wil

a friend no matter the circumstances. I'm just still amazed I managed

a place to stay and call ho

er if he told her the truth of what he

ll.

uriosity in her eyes and voice now evi

replied, with great reluctance i

one thing to go out and assist a girl he knew from long ago, but to bring her home? To

an ounce of mistrust. "

er to go in this country, Jan

onately. "In any case, you have to provide her with s

th grave heralding in his voice, "I susp

did was a very brave thing.

ingly brooding over something she could not discern. "I w

and her heart filled with joy. "It seems you

t comprehend what the price of those "

didn't come with so h

ve to be filled with a feeling like that. It wou

Stalingrad, I had to fight alongside the Red Army. Once during the battle one soldier was wounded by the Germans. I had to

o his heart. He breathed heavily, as if trying to release all the guilt he had pent

n a title by the Soviet commander...I was g

cruel irony of h

ng in cold blood! They call me

ded with a tone of seriousness in her voice. "How can doing something t

is eyes, feeling ashamed to look his innocent fri

hat feels? Do you know what it feels like to go against God's teaching

is hand in grief and leaned another on t

you do the right thing to save and protect the ones you care about or y

and her face solidifying in determination. He trembled as a small beam of light emerged through the clouded sky to illum

ne.

know what I have ju

contemptible means to noble ends. He knew she was right, but it still did not take away the shame he felt. He turned his body to her and leaned against

me one ques

he said, her ey

elf that I was doing all of this for Tanya's sake. That I was helping to end this battle decisively and bring peace back. But now,

when I know I shouldn't? Why do I continue to feel guilt

n I can think of is because even though they were doing e

with each pulling of the trigger. Every German he struck down was one family shattered. Every German maimed was one life destro

ane? What can I do then to shake this all off? H

he accept his fate and move on, or does he let it haunt him forev

a battle in himself that he must fight and win alone. No one else could influence him; he was

shall not burde

most caring and sincere voice. "There will always be times where you will ha

in hers, clasping it as if entreating him to follow her into some gre

ks," he said smiling. "Yo

smate, and cherished companion. Whatever

u swea

the bottom o

ring or his spirits flagging, there was always a friend behind him to support him. And that would carry him throughout this tr

, doroga

waver in her devotion to him for a second. But he had to make sure that her promise would be kept. Even if this war should go on

must ask of

she asked, in her most soft and c

r demands more sinning from me, will you still foll

ing in her response. "Where

you for listening to me, Jane. It

le smile across the softened features of her face. "Just don't go

dream of it,

had been meaning to buy, as she went to go her own way

an

nded looking sof

to readjust after everything, and it will be easier fo

r. Your secret i

Now I must

h Peter's spirits brightened. He looked up and saw the dark clouds had given way to the rays of sun shining light upon

even if it made him a sinner, she and everyone else close to him would still su

oquial term used in the Soviet

Cl

ctly cl

you, d