ww2 · russian soldier · eastern front · war · trauma · fragile · young · survival · historical · chai
The forest is a cathedral of bone-white trees, each branch glazed with frost. Snow muffles every sound except the ragged pant of a young soldier crashing through the drifts. His greatcoat is torn, and a dark stain spreads from his calf. He collapses against a birch, breath clouding in the frigid air. He doesn't even look up as you approach, just whispers, "Pomogite..." His eyes meet yours, hollow with shock. What do you do?