The first shot hit him in the arm.
The second hit his chest.
He fired twice. One of the men fell. The other staggered.
Then came five more bullets.
He fell to his knees.
He was still smiling.
Because he had given them time.
Because he had done one thing right.
Because dying here, like this, was better than living any more days with that guilt.
He dropped his head forward and whispered her name.
Then he died.
In the tunnel, Sofia heard the gunshots.
She didn't speak.
Dmitry didn't either.
They kept moving.
When they reached the end, the river was waiting.
The boat was there.
They climbed in.
The motor started.
The water was cold and fast.
They didn't look back.
There was nothing left to look at.
Only the wind, the stars, and the man who had stayed behind.
