Alex looked out the window.
The man who got out of the black SUV looked like a bodyguard — huge protein-fed shoulders, shaved head. Strange. Nobody was supposed to come hunting or fishing today — and people like that usually called ahead.
Alex picked up his shotgun, told the dog to stay quiet, and stepped onto the porch.
— Who are you? What do you want?
The man turned toward him.
— You the forest ranger here?
— That’s me. What’s your business?
— Look, here’s a number. If you notice anything unusual or run into a stranger in the woods — call right away.
He handed over a business card. The name meant nothing to Alex. Who could tell — these days, “big shots” popped up like mushrooms after rain and vanished just as fast.
— The boss will be grateful. And if you keep quiet — don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Alex hated threats. Ever since the five years he’d spent in prison for something he never considered a crime, he’d learned one thing: the world is unfair. People believe whatever suits them and follow whoever pays more. Since then, he’d avoided people whenever possible. When he’d been offered a ranger’s job — decent pay, house provided, no neighbors — he’d taken it gladly.
— Here’s what’s going to happen. You get in your car right now and drive off before I decide you really are threatening me.
The man backed away, then reached under his jacket. Alex smirked and fired at the ground near his feet. The man jumped.
— One more move, and the next bullet’s in your knee.
The bodyguard stumbled back to the car.
— You’ll regret this, bastard!
The car roared away, tearing up clumps of grass that hit the house wall. Alex winced — he hated when people ruined his lawn. One was supposed to walk only on the paths.
He went back inside, made himself coffee, fed the dog, and thought. If someone was being hunted, someone else was missing — and judging by those visitors, whoever was missing might need help. He turned to the dog.
— Well, Rem, shall we go for a walk?
The dog perked up and barked loudly. Alex had found him as a half-dead puppy by the road — nursed him for a month, even overcame his dislike of people enough to visit the village vet, who turned out to be a decent guy. That was three years ago. Now the vet’s wife, Lyuba, often brought them milk and cream, and the once-dirty puppy had grown into a clever, handsome dog.
Alex packed quickly. He wasn’t sure he’d find anyone — but someone was being searched for, and that was enough.
***
Anna was clawing her way out of a pit with the last of her strength. How hadn’t she noticed it? Her stomach hurt, and she sank onto the damp ground.
— That’s it. I’ll die here. I’m sorry, my son…
She stroked her huge belly and closed her eyes. Maybe she dozed off, maybe she fainted…
Just two months ago she’d been a happy wife. She and Sergey were expecting a baby. Anna often thought how cruel people were. Her mother, her closest person, had fiercely opposed the marriage — hated her son-in-law and stopped speaking to her altogether. But her father liked Sergey. “That one won’t miss his chance,” he’d say approvingly. Her father was a high-ranking official; her mother, a former law-enforcement officer turned lawyer with her own practice. They had long been divorced.
Her father died in a car crash two months ago. The day after the funeral, Sergey changed completely. The next morning he said:
— That’s it. I’m almost at my goal — to get rid of you and the thing inside you!
Anna thought she’d misheard. She tried to run, but Sergey caught her, dragged her into the basement, and locked her there. Two months of captivity, hunger, and fear. Sometimes he’d get drunk and dream aloud about the good life he’d soon enjoy with all their money. One day he passed out drunk and forgot to lock the basement. Anna ran. Barefoot, in a single dress and slippers.
Her only thought was to flee the city — or they’d find her. A driver gave her a lift part of the way; then she wandered the forest for a day and a half, hopelessly lost. She knew she’d never reach people again. It was terrifying, but she’d rather die than go back. Sergey had planned her “natural” death in childbirth — and she even knew the exact date. If she hadn’t confused the days, it was today.
***
They’d been walking forest trails for two hours and found nothing.
— Well, Rem… Nobody around here. Beyond this — swamps and deadfall. Head back?
But the dog was listening to something. Then suddenly he bolted ahead. Alex followed. The barking turned sharp and urgent. Alex ran and saw his dog standing at the edge of an old wolf pit. It had half-collapsed — chest-deep now.
Rem stepped aside, and Alex saw a woman curled up at the bottom, motionless.
— Damn it…
He jumped down. The woman was pregnant.
— Hey… wake up.
She opened her eyes and recoiled.
— Don’t touch me! I’m not going anywhere!
Alex sat down on a root.
— Suit yourself. I just thought you might need help.
She stared at him. Finally whispered:
— Who are you?
— Ranger. Work here.
— Did my husband send you?
— Husband?
Alex frowned, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the card.
— This guy?
She burst into tears.
— Please, pretend you didn’t find me. I’d rather die here…
— Listen, sweetheart, let’s get to my place. No one will hurt you there, I promise.
She managed to walk a few kilometers before stumbling. Her stomach ached terribly.
— You know… I think I’m about to give birth.
It hit him like a blow. He’d seen a lot in forty-three years — war, prison — but childbirth? Never. He lifted her in his arms and started for the cabin. About forty minutes, he calculated — hoping the baby would wait that long.
— Alright, sweetheart. While we walk, tell me everything.
By the time the cabin came into view, she’d finished her story and he was gasping for breath. He laid her on the couch.
— You okay?
— Just… the pain’s stronger.
— Do you have anyone who could help you? Not sure the police are the right option.
— My mom… but we quarreled.
— Yeah, I gathered. I’ll run to the village. Don’t worry — Rem will guard the door.
But Anna had already fallen asleep, clutching the sandwich he’d given her.
***
Alex rolled his motorcycle out of the shed — his proudest purchase. Cost as much as a car, but worth every ruble.
He burst into the vet Misha’s house just as Misha was eating. The man froze mid-bite — and the cutlet fell neatly into his dog’s mouth.
— Alex? What happened?
Lyuba poked her head from the kitchen.
— Oh my God, what’s with you?
— Misha, I need help. There’s a girl at my place — about to give birth, half-starved too. Get ready.
— You need a medic, not me.
He said that but was already dressing. He knew Alex well — if he came asking, there was a reason.
— Can’t, Misha. Bad people are after her.
Lyuba, putting on her jacket, added:
— Those guys in the black car? Rude as hell? They were here.
— Same ones. I’ll lead, you follow.
***
They entered the house to hear moaning. Misha rushed to Anna.
— Easy, easy. It’s okay. Just breathe.
Lyuba boiled water, laid out sheets.
— Anna, can you hear me?
— Yes…
— Give me your mother’s address.
Anna whispered it. Alex stuffed the note in his pocket.
— Misha, I hope everything goes fine. You know where the gun is.
He tore off into the night. An hour later, he was at the address.
— Who is it? — a woman’s voice asked behind the door.
— I’m from Anna. Your daughter.
The door opened — and he froze. That face… He remembered her. She had been the prosecutor who’d sent him to prison. She looked almost the same — maybe a few years older. She recognized him too and stepped back in fear.
— What do you want? Come for revenge?
— Don’t flatter yourself.
— You know my daughter?
— May I come in?
She hesitated, then stepped aside.
— We haven’t spoken in ages. She doesn’t want to see me…
— Quiet. Listen.
He told her everything. When he finished, she asked:
— She’s safe now?
— For the moment — unless those bastards show up again.
— Wait here.
She made several phone calls — one to someone in the police, another to someone else. Then she turned to him.
— Let’s go.
— Go where?
He blinked.
— Where do you think? To her. Everyone’s already on the way. You got a car?
— Sort of.
— Then move. My son-in-law left half an hour ago.
They hurried downstairs. Seeing his motorcycle, she raised an eyebrow.
— That’s your car? Well, fine. Let’s go!
***
They arrived just in time. Gunshots crackled near Alex’s cabin. Misha was holding off Sergey and his men. Then a black van screeched up — police. The thugs were cuffed within minutes.
Elena — the mother — ran inside. On the couch, holding her newborn son, lay Anna.
— Mom…
***
Alex fell asleep the moment he sat in his chair, too exhausted to notice someone gently covering him with a blanket.
He woke up to the smell of frying food. Half-dreaming, he thought it was just his imagination. But no — something really smelled delicious. He stretched and walked to the kitchen. When he saw who was there, he froze.
— What are you doing here?
Elena turned, pointed at the pan.
— Frying cutlets.
— Very funny. Still, maybe it’s time for you to go home?
She put the spatula down.
— Listen… I know words can’t give you back five years, but I couldn’t leave without explaining. Back then… I was weak. My husband pressured me — it was his friend’s son you beat up. I knew you did the right thing. No scumbag should get away with hurting a woman. But I was a coward. We divorced soon after. Please forgive me…
She fell silent, eyes down.
— Your cutlets are burning.
***
A year later, Alex’s cabin was unrecognizable. Elena had filled it with useful things, made him install running water, even internet. He did everything silently, but whenever he could, he’d hug her. She’d been his wife for two months now — and he still couldn’t believe it.
Life’s a strange thing. Yesterday — an ex-con; today — husband to the woman who once put him behind bars. And practically a granddad to Anna’s baby.
Alex smiled. He was happy — and that was all that mattered.
Story by Irina Mer
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