Give me a sign. Виктория Олеговна Рогозина

we have two machine guns and four magazines of cartridges, a map and we are in the ass of the world, – Vlad summed up and looked at Denis, clarified. – Can you shoot?

      “No,” he blushed.

      – I can, – Lilia gave her voice and Denis obediently handed over the weapon to her. Vlad took the second machine gun.

      – We got out of this well, if I understood the symbols on the map correctly, – said the athlete, turning to Lilia. “So there must be an abandoned village there. There are signs here, perhaps there is one of ours.

      – So what? Are we going to be in the dark? Masha yelled indignantly. – I’m not going anywhere. Let them send a car and pick me up from here.

      Vlad turned to Lilia, and she nodded in agreement, supporting the plan of action. After checking the weapon again and jerking the bolt, the couple, as if on command, rose from the log.

      – We will try to find ours and if anything, we will return with help. Is someone coming with us? Vlad asked for the last time.

      – I stay! Maria defiantly crossed her legs and tilted her head. “I’m not going to knead the dirt with my shoes. Do you even know how much they cost?

      – I’m staying too. Walking through the forest at night is suicide, “an excellent student supported her.

      – I … – Denis sighed. – I’ll stay.

      – What, fatty, decided to play a hero, like you will protect us? – Masha threw venomously.

      – Well, so be it. The three of us are not so scary, – the classmate agreed without embarrassment. – You… it… just come back for us.

      – Can you leave one machine gun? Lily asked.

      “Anyway, none of the three of us knows how to shoot,” Irina remarked reasonably.

      Rummaging in his backpack, Vlad took out a flare and handed it to Denis.

      “It will help scare away wild animals,” he explained. There are instructions, be sure to read.

      “Thank you,” the student smiled.

      – Let’s run, otherwise it’s already sick of you, – Masha grimaced.

      Lilia winked at Denis, saying hold on, and together with Vlad disappeared into the darkness of the forest. They walked hand in hand, listening and peering into the darkness with all their eyes, in which demonic shadows danced every now and then. Moving a good distance away, the girl quietly asked:

      – What kind of village?

      – Lelev.

      – I’ve never heard of such a thing.

      “Me too,” the boy sighed. “Do you think we’ll find anyone there?”

      She shrugged her shoulders, afraid to voice her worst thoughts. The fact that everything that was happening was conceived by unknown organizers was no longer even disputed. And it is so clear that if all this happened, then someone needs it. It remains only to decide whether to complete some obscure quests or look for a way home. Home… is a mockery for a person who does not have a home as such. Places where you are welcome, where you are expected. Lily frowned, trying to drive away her sad thoughts. Now is not the time for self-flagellation. Shivering in the cold, the girl shuddered at the sudden warmth from the chip.

      Vlad jumped over the log and, exhaling tiredly, stopped. Rummaging in his backpack, he took out a flask and unscrewed the lid, took a small sip and handed it to the girl. Lily took a sip and returned the flask, only now noticing how tired she was.

      “We should find Nikitos,” Vlad remarked, continuing the difficult path.

      – Why?

      – He knows exactly all the locations. This nerd played all the games, for sure, there was something about Chernobyl.

      – Do you think he will find “Freedom” or “Monolith”? Lily smiled, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

      – Well, suddenly, what the hell is not joking, – the guy chuckled. Did you know that he recently won the tournament?

      – Yes? Cool, – she portrayed sincere surprise, not admitting that she knows. She often visited his streams, commenting on everything under a nickname that could not deanon her. She also knew about his personal tragedy, about breaking up with a girl and much more. She always wanted to support Nikita, but at school he never paid attention to her, like many others. It was as if Lily always wore an invisibility cloak.