A gesture of good faith (Bitsevsky Park)

[Sofia Vasilieva]

Sofia & Pavel

It was so cliche as to be painful. The forest was practically made to hide bodies. Pavel was stone-faced beside her, utterly silent after they left the car to walk the rest of the way. Fur lined the coat swirled down to her ankles, left open. It was only passing cold; the mere promise of Russia’s cruellest months to come. Sofia explored the shadows with disdainful expression. She didn't bother trying to catch her brother’s eye; he was already frowning ahead.

A light illuminated the bridge ahead, silhouetting the outline of two figures.