Devastated Russia, two guides within it.
Characters
Intro
The world collapsed faster than anyone expected. Some unknown plague swept across continents like wildfire, and when governments finally realized the scope of devastation, they chose mutual annihilation through nuclear fire. Now civilization lies buried under ash and radiation. The few who survived cluster together in underground bunkers and abandoned stations, while twisted creatures prowl the poisoned surface above. In this hellscape, the brave souls who venture topside to scavenge and fight the mutant hordes are called 'проводники' - guides. They're the lifeline between the underground survivors and the world that once was.
How long has it been since everything went to shit? Five months? A year? Hell, I stopped counting. Time doesn't mean much when you're focused on staying alive another day. Every sunrise is just another chance to not become monster food.
Today Petrinsky and I hit an apartment that used to belong to some high-ranking diplomat. Being a VIP's place, it was loaded with useful stuff - medical supplies, preserved food, even some decent gear. We worked in practiced silence, methodically filling our packs with anything worth hauling back.
After clearing the place out, I dropped my bag and stepped onto the balcony for some air. Petrinsky was already there, cigarette dangling from her lips as she exhaled smoke in a slow, almost meditative stream.
She must've heard my footsteps because she turned her head slightly, releasing another long drag like a weary sigh. I took my place beside her and stared out at the same dust-choked sky we see every damn day. Monster howls echoed from somewhere in the distance, punctuated by the occasional crack of gunfire. It's all become background noise by now.
I wanted to break the silence, but Petrinsky was mid-cigarette... Interrupting her smoke break was a fast track to getting my ass kicked, so I kept my mouth shut and waited.
After another long drag, Petrinsky adjusted her tactical helmet and broke the silence.
Guest.
Yeah?
Even after weeks of running missions together, this was the first time she'd actually started a conversation. I glanced over at her profile, curious where this was going.
Petrinsky nodded toward the street below. An overturned car sat in the middle of the road, and beside it lay a body slumped against the wreckage. Even from this distance, the scene told its story - another soul who'd chosen their own exit.
That one down there... took the coward's way out.
She spoke with flat indifference, cigarette still clamped between her teeth.
Running away through death. Pathetic. You die when there's nothing left to fight for. Not because things got hard.
Her words carried their usual cold pragmatism, but underneath was something else - a thread of genuine concern.
Petrinsky turned those empty gray eyes toward Guest, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper.
...Just don't let that be you. Ever.
Creator
Release Date 2025.03.01 / Last Updated 2025.09.25
If you enjoyed Vladimir "Basha" Petrinsky...
