There were two people in the forest. On the eve of winter, the forest on the Karelian Isthmus was incredibly beautiful. It amazed with its harsh nature, frosty air and ringing silence of this already frosty morning. The autumn leaves have already fallen from the trees and the cries of the ducks flying south have died down. And only huge silent boulders, overgrown with centuries-old moss, silently contemplated the next change of season under the cloudy sky of the isthmus.
In this beauty, still in the autumn forest, two people looked from the outside, a little out of place, and did not fit into this dull landscape.
It was as if they came from some other world. They weren’t supposed to be here. One of them, who was clearly older, was trying to make a fire. But the fire stubbornly resisted this due to the dampness. There was dampness all around. In the clothes of people, it is unclear how they ended up in the forest, in dry branches, everywhere… It seemed that it was impossible to dry out of it, and only the saving warmth of the fire could help this. But there was no fire.
He, who was older, suggested that his partner take out of his backpack army dry rations and a can of stew left over from the beginning of summer, which had not been eaten during the season and was hanging out in one of the pockets of the backpack. The dry rations contained fuel, which, with the help of a lit hunting match, heated up the stew. The stew turned out to be surprisingly tasty and satisfying. But the clothes of the two were still wet, dirty and smelled foul of an incomprehensible mud. The second, who was clearly younger, suggested that the older one collect spruce branches from spruce and pine branches. The eldest stood up silently, left his equipment and went to collect branches from pine and fir trees. His swollen boots squelched under the damp moss of the old forest. Only the crunching and creaking of trees revealed the presence of a person in the forest.
At this time, the youngest of the group took out from his backpack a small jar of kerosene, securely sealed so that it would not spill and stored just in case. Then, with frozen, dirty fingers, he took out a piece of rag from his backpack, carefully tearing it into small shreds. I put several scraps of meat on the bottom of a stew jar. Then he filled it with kerosene to the very edge. And he began to wait for his comrade to come. The partner was gone for about 15-20 minutes. The younger man took a lighter and a cigarette from the side pocket of his jacket. Strange, but both of them turned out to be undamaged. Some old memories flashed through his head. But the crunch of his partner’s broken branches prevented him from completely immersing himself in them. The trees in the forest were “crying.” The snowfall that occurred overnight, and then a sudden thaw, contributed greatly to this. Dripping water periodically extinguished the cigarette. An older man appeared from behind the trees with an armful of spruce branches. He silently walked up to the parking lot and threw the branches on the ground. The younger one put the prepared can of kerosene on a more level place and set it on fire. After it began to smoke, he lightly covered it with raw spruce branches on top. Together, they silently watched as thick acrid smoke first poured out, and then the long-awaited warming fire flared up, giving warmth and, to some extent, comfort to their wet bodies and clothes. Having warmed up a little and dried out, the travelers took out dry rations and a thermos with tea and coffee from their backpacks. In a chilling and at the same time wet forest, this center of warmth was for them that small island of light for which they could live and think about the eternal.
At first they silently ate everything, everything that was in a small box of dry rations. They greedily drank the contents of their thermoses. Having dragged two logs lying nearby, they sat down near the fire to dry out. There was not even a hint of clearing in the cloudy sky of the Karelian Isthmus, much less in the sun.
A strange and at the same time meaningless conversation began between people. This conversation could not take place in their ordinary, familiar life, but the forest itself, the environment itself contributed to this.
The eldest spoke first. His name was Denis.
— Still, it’s good that they were able to start a fire. Otherwise, pneumonia would be guaranteed. Where did you learn about such nanotechnology?, — he joked, smiling.
The second one, who was younger, his name was Dmitry, joked:
— Nothing special. Once in the army, when I was serving as a clerk at headquarters, the stove in the tent went out. The firewood is damp, the commanders are sleeping, but they need to heat it. There are forests all around, winter. We were at the exercises… That’s when I remembered what one “grandfather” said. You see, it was useful both then and now.
— Great, — answered Denis, throwing a spoonful of army porridge into his mouth, — Very much. Need to remember.
There was an awkward silence between the two people. Everyone tried to keep warm and not eat more than they should according to their conscience. They ate in silence and thought about their own things, looking at the blazing fire. This is the unspoken law. The incomprehensible breakfast-lunch was over.
Dmitry collected his backpack, threw a half-empty thermos into it, sat down on a log and put his boots towards the already burning fire. Denis did almost the same thing. His hands rose up and he stretched from the pleasure of the food he had taken and the emanating heat from the fire.
— Dimych, do you have dry cigarettes? Mine are completely wet…, Denis asked, throwing aside a damp pack of blue Winston.
— Yes, of course, Dan. Here. Take it. Don’t feel sorry, — answered Dima, handing a dry pack of cigarettes to Denis.
They puffed greedily and exhaled the acrid smoke with pleasure on this frosty day. There was a little silence. Everyone thought about their own. The short bliss that ensued and the burning fire did not want to let the two people go for further wanderings through the forest. But I had to go. If they don’t finish their search this year, then in the spring it will be a little problematic to do so.
-You know, Dan, — Dmitry called out to his friend, “Let’s dry off for 15-20 minutes and then let’s go, otherwise we won’t find a place and then we won’t be able to come.” And it gets dark already at half past four. While we’re dismantling the metal detectors, we’ll change clothes… It’s still two hours to drive to the city…
Denis thought and answered: — Of course come on! And then there’s the traffic jams… I don’t want to get home at night.
— Well, we decided, — answered Dima.
After a short silence, Dmitry said: — You know, my cousin left for the army. The service is taking place in Gremikha. Murmansk region. His name is Vitaly. So here it is. Recently I decided to write him a letter…
— Come on, a letter. Why? In the age of the Internet and cell phones, it’s somehow old-fashioned…, — Denis interrupted Dima.
— But it seemed to me, on the contrary, that it would be nice, — resumed Dmitry, — Moreover, in their army everything wireless is prohibited. Therefore it is normal.
— So what? Tell me more, — said Den, throwing spruce branches into the fire.
— So here it is. Listen further. I will try to retell the letter, — Dmitry answered, starting to retell his letter…
Hello, Vitalik! Greetings from St. Petersburg!
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. Probably about 20 years since I left. How are you doing? How is your service? What’s new in general? How are your parents? I heard my father was a little sick… Well, I think it’s okay, he’ll definitely get better!
Everything is fine with me, home, family, work. Everything is the same. Nothing changes.
I want to tell you about one strange incident that happened to me. But everything is in order. Our mothers, as far as I know, call each other periodically. Perhaps mine, yours, told me what I do in my free time. I mean my hobby. If not, then I’ll explain a little. Several years ago, I purchased a metal detector in one of the St. Petersburg stores. You’ve probably heard about these. They are looking for coins, treasures, and so on… So. This hobby has fascinated me so much that I can no longer sit and be at home. Of course, I don’t forget about my family, but I try to go out more often. Among the diggers (as your faithful servant, that is, I, has become), there are those who dig according to the war and there are those who dig according to the old days. I am writing to bring you up to date. I have more to do with excavations on the war. But when I get bored, I go the old way. For a change, so to speak. I won’t tell you what finds I had, you will come to visit after the “army” and you will see everything for yourself. And refusal is not accepted. Haven’t seen each other for so many years…
One day an interesting and funny incident happened to me. It became interesting and very funny after understanding it in a cozy city apartment. And when it happened, I will say there was no time for laughter or cheerfulness at all. Once on the Internet I came across an old Soviet map. It was a piece of some area on the Karelian Isthmus. It was impossible to even determine what kind of area it was right off the bat. Well, a map and a map, I thought. No different from the same ones, of which there are thousands. Having looked a little closer at it, I saw the familiar outlines of the area where I had recently gone to dig. Based on the findings, I’ll tell you it was like this. I got an SSh-36 helmet (if you want, I’ll give it to you), enamel dishes, spatulas and a bunch of spare parts from the T-26 tank. Of course, I thought about going there again, but much later. That’s what I thought until I found this card.
You have a legitimate question. Well, what kind of card is this? Let me explain. Upon closer examination, I saw that there were ruins of some houses on it and, almost nearby, a barely noticeable symbol. Br.mog. Do you know what that means? I think I figured it out. That’s right, a mass grave! Fierce battles took place in this area back in 1939-1940 of the last century. The so-called Soviet-Finnish war. The Finns called it the Winter War. I hope that you have studied history, so I will not describe it to you in detail. Inspired by this piece of paper (I later downloaded and printed it), I began to think about a trip to this area. Perhaps you will say that in such a time this grave had already been found and reburied in another place, but at that moment such thoughts did not occur to me. And I, inspired by enthusiasm, prepared for the hike. I’ll say right away that I went there several times. When alone, when with familiar comrades. Everything depended on certain circumstances. Who can go and who can’t. But no matter… I (we) had a guideline. According to the map, these were “old ruins.” They are far in the forest. From the nearest road, it’s about 4 kilometers to get to them. The distance, I tell you, is quite large. Especially in the forest. In each of my trips there, whether I was alone or with comrades, there was always an incomprehensible feeling of anxiety. The forest was very dark. If you look up, you might feel dizzy because the tops of the “ship” pines were lost in the sky. And the feeling that a person is just a grain of sand in this world, there, in this forest, was felt very acutely. The first time I actually found ruins there. And not just one at home. There were several ruins. Apparently these were numerous outbuildings, sheds, barns… The good news was that although traces of the excavations of my predecessor colleagues were visible, they were old, faded and insignificant. It seemed that someone ran through places, raided and left this place on their own, without stopping here for a minute. A little later, I began to understand why… The first time I visited this place, I decided to dig the foundation of the main house, bringing with me a grid for sifting the earth. Of course, it was a little hard for one, but I’m still a tough nut to crack. Vitaly, you know…
The first time I thought it seemed… I was digging up the foundation of an old house and suddenly I heard that someone seemed to be talking to each other. What they are talking about, in what language, one cannot understand. But the feeling is that the conversation is going on as if from behind a wall. So muffled… I pulled away from the excavation, I thought, damn it, I was imagining it. The voices spoke for a few seconds and then died away. You know, I don’t believe in all this, but it still sent shivers down my spine. It was especially unpleasant to feel that you were alone in this forest. It even became a little scary. I will say even more, the impression was created that you were a stranger here, not one of us. At the same time, someone’s heavy, alien and incomprehensible gaze looked at me from under every stump, boulder, old spruce…
And this happened every time I came to this place. Perhaps, Vitalik, you will say that everything could have been imagined and heard. But I hasten to refute your judgments. A couple of times I came to these ruins not alone, with my comrades. After an hour of digging, one of them asked me. You didn’t hear anything? I didn’t show what he was talking about. And the comrade continued, he told me, it seemed that someone was talking, as if someone was whispering. That’s when it really became a little creepy… I even felt a little uncomfortable from such words. The feeling that we were not alone in this forest never left me. What it was, a play of my imagination or fatigue from the work done, I cannot explain to you. I repeat, the ruins are located very far from populated areas, there are no dachas, roads or any human presence nearby.
The finds in that area were quite varied, ranging from coins to bowler hats and bayonets of soldiers who fought here during those years of the war. There were also personal items, such as a matchbox with the owner’s initials.
I won’t bore you with my letter for long. I will say the following. When you come to your demobilization, come and visit me. The two of us will go to this place and see for ourselves what it’s like. You will draw conclusions. Maybe you will also feel or hear these voices.
Vitalik, remember, I wrote to you at the very beginning of the letter that according to the map, next to this house (ruins) a military burial place was marked? In two weeks, my friend and I are going to visit this place again. We’ll take probes, metal detectors and shovels. Who the hell isn’t kidding… I don’t want to connect everything that I saw and heard there with the mass grave. But we are very serious about finding her! You know, sometimes in my dreams I dream that a soldier comes to me and talks to me. I don’t remember the essence of the conversation, I remember only one thing. He says. I’m not far, just walk nearby and you’ll find out…
We will go in two weeks. I hope that by this time you will have received the letter. To keep you from getting bored, I printed out the photos for you. They are from different periods of my visit to this place. You’ll see. I send it in a letter. I think it will be interesting. I’ll end here. I’m looking forward to your visit. Say hello to your parents!
October 29, 2016 Sincerely yours, Dmitry.
After the story, there was an awkward pause between the people. The fire was burning out and the clothes were almost dry. It was time to get ready. Having put all their things into their backpacks, Dmitry and Denis got up and continued on their way. It was already getting dark.
— Why didn’t you tell me about this before?, — Denis asked. — Yes, somehow there was no right moment, — answered Dmitry.
— Okay, let’s look, — Denis said.
There was very little time left. The day was very short. Having passed not far from the ruins in a northern direction, Denis’s probe encountered a dull sound. Quietly he called Dmitry to him.
Look, there’s some strange sound here. There are no trees. And this is not the root. I guarantee you!, — exclaimed Denis.
Probably found it! – Dmitry answered tiredly, and at the same time admiringly, — It can’t be…
The metal detectors were silent, as if they were hiding. Having made a small hole, bones appeared a meter deep. Exactly! Found…
The weather on the Karelian Isthmus is always deceptive. And this time the same thing happened. The unexpected darkness that fell unexpectedly confused the plans of the two search engines. Thick snow began to fall… It was time to leave the forest. Otherwise, you could spend the night in the forest. The feeling is certainly not pleasant. Dmitry took out his forest navigator and marked the point. Here. We’ll come here in the spring. Lie down a little more guys…
It took them a long time to get to the car. Tired, cold. But two people did their job. Even if not completely, they did it anyway. They found. After changing into dry clothes, Denis and Dmitry got into the car. There was a long and difficult journey home ahead. And only the lights of a leaving car reminded the presence of a person in the forest…
P.S. Time has passed. The letter he sent had a very strong influence on Vitaly. At the end of his military service, he purchased his first metal detector and took a worthy place in the ranks of search engines.
In the spring of the following year, the mass grave with the remains of Soviet soldiers was reburied. Forty-two people returned from that long-forgotten war. There were no identified fighters.
Sent by comrade Dmitry Z.
