Gunshots broke through the peaceful scene.
Tato’s eyes widened, and he pushed at her. “Go, Katya. Go to him. There isn’t much time.”
Katya sat straight up and gasped. The silent night echoed around her, but something felt wrong. She jumped out of bed as Alina burst in the house.
Alina faltered, surprised to see Katya already standing. “How did you know?”
“Know what?” Katya asked, though a hard knot of fear in her gut told her the answer.
Alina’s voice broke. “Pavlo’s hurt.”
“What happened?” Katya wrenched on her boots and grabbed her coat as Mama rose from the other bed.
“He’s been shot,” Alina said. “Kolya found him in the yard. It’s bad, Katya.”
A thousand questions raced through her mind as Katya sprinted across the field. She pushed open the door and ran into the room.
“Where is he?”
Kolya stood up from where he’d been leaning over the bed and strode toward her. Grief rippled across his face as he grabbed her shoulders
“You need to know, Katya, that his wounds are severe. I don’t know how he survived long enough to drag himself here.”
“Let me see him!” She pushed past Kolya and dropped to her knees next to Pavlo.
His pale face, streaked with dirt and dried blood, felt cold against her hand.
“He has two bullet wounds, one in his stomach and one in his arm.” Kolya kneeled beside her.
“Pavlo, can you hear me?” Katya stroked his face, kissed his lips. “I’m here now, Pavlo. I’m here to take care of you, just like last time. Let’s see where you’re hurt.”
Her mother, who must have followed, began barking directions about boiling water and clean rags as Katya inspected Pavlo’s body.
His eyes cracked open, and he turned toward the sound of her voice. “Katya? I made it home to you. I promised you I’d see you again, and I couldn’t bear to break that promise.”
“Of course you did.” His right arm hung twisted and blood oozed out from under the rag Kolya pressed on his gut.
“We need to see if the one in his stomach went clean through,” Kolya said. He moved the rag to the side to check the wound and uncovered a red mass of mangled flesh. A wave of nausea washed over Katya.
Together, they rolled him, and Pavlo moaned.
“No exit wound,” Kolya said. “It’s still in there.”
“We need a doctor!” Katya said, her voice frantic. “Someone needs to get a doctor!”
“And tell them what?” Kolya scowled at her. “Tell them my brother was shot while fighting against the OGPU? Who would risk their life to help him?”
“The doctor was deported last month,” Mama said. “We’ll have to help him ourselves.”
“Mama, there’s too much blood!” Alina’s hands held a fresh rag on Pavlo’s stomach, but blood continued to ooze out.
“Keep applying pressure.” Mama’s voice wavered.
“Katya? Where are you?” Pavlo thrashed weakly and opened his eyes. “I need to see you!”
Katya dropped her head close to his. “I’m right here, Pavlo. Shh, now, don’t fuss. We’re trying to help you.”
“No, it’s too late.” His glossy eyes locked on hers and he pressed his good hand to her lips when she started to protest. “You need to be strong for me, Katya. Kolya will care for you. He’s promised me. We have to say goodbye now, but you will always be my love, my Katya.”
Tears ran down her face. The room and everyone in it faded away until it was only Pavlo whispering to her.
“I have loved you all my life.” His voice hitched as he struggled to take a breath. “Even when I pestered you and teased you, I loved you. Always you, only you.” He coughed and his body shuddered. “You must survive this and tell the people of the world what has happened here, so it doesn’t happen again. Use your pencil and paper and weave your beautiful words to keep our memories alive. Don’t let me die in vain, Katya.”
She nodded and choked back her sobs. “I won’t. I promise.”
“I will always love you.” His eyes widened and she felt the shift in his body, the flight of his soul like a knife to her heart.
“Pavlo? Pavlo!” Katya screamed his name, but he didn’t respond. Arms pulled her off him, but she pushed them away and fell back onto him and looked down into the face of the man she loved. His open, lifeless eyes stared back at her. They held none of the sparkle and life that Pavlo possessed. They were hollow and empty, like her now. A sob slipped out before she could stifle it. She needed to close his eyes, but she couldn’t bear the thought of never looking into them again. Instead, she crawled onto the bed next to him and wept.