PREVIOUS: CHAPTER 1
A band of Russian soldiers, retreating from Zugdidi,
590 were marching on the road to the nearest village.
The infantry's highest-ranking officer ordered his men
to halt and take a break after hours of marching.
One of them entered the forest from the side of the road
as he saw a nearby creek to wash his hands and feet.
595 He looked upon his own reflection from the water,
the man's short hair was light brown
and his eyes were blue as the sky.
He scared the Minnows by refreshing his metal water can and was ready to go.
Before he did, the soldier saw something unusual in the bushes.
600 He proceeded to look and he discovered a boy,
unconscious covered in bruises and blood,
with dirt and flies, that made the man surprise
The soldier called his fellow comrades and they all came down
to see what was the serious matter.
605 "Dear Lord, What has happened to this poor child?"
Said the Officer.
"...a savage animal, maybe?"
"No, it looks as if he was attacked by a man. The boy is alive,
whatever did this atrocious act is the savage."
610 Darkness was in sight until a blur appears with light,
the boy slowly opened his eyes facing a ceiling.
He was in a bed with an old stove on his left,
and his right was a glass window
with the sun beaming down so bright.
615 He sat up from his bed to look around
and was in a small and old wooded room like it was for guests.
There was only one door in front of him, assuming that was the exit.
Checking the window, he decided to peek,
looking down to discover that he was in a village with people
620 walking, riding horses and carriages in the busy street.
Someone knocked and opened the door;
it was the Russian soldier that found him.
The boy was scared as he knew nothing of this stranger.
The solder was speaking in a familiar language that the boy recognizes.
625 "Don't be afraid, child; I'm not here to harm you."
The boy decided to use this man's way of speech to communicate.
"May I ask who you are and how did I get here?"
"I'm Corporal Luka Romanov, or just Luka if you wish."
Luka sat at the edge at the end of the bed. and continued speaking.
630 "We've found you all beaten up on the side of the road,
we brought you here to this village and found a doctor to treat you."
"How long was I out?"
"A couple of days, you're lucky to be found."
"Not lucky enough..."
635 "What happened?"
"Does it matter?"
"In the condition, you were in, yes."
The boy was silent for a moment, thinking of what happened to him.
"Two men beaten me to the ground took my change.
640 One of them said they didn't like my people very much."
"I see, I've noticed your accent, were you from?"
He was afraid to speak, feeling he may be beaten again for what he is.
"It's alright boy, I don't care what you are and you seem like you're far from home."
"Mingrelia."
645 "My, you are defiantly far from home. You're in Abkhazia in the village of Gali."
"Are you serious? I thought I was heading northeast!"
"Quite the opposite. It looks like you crossed the border overnight without noticing,
Abkhazia is under the Russian Empire you see."
"That's why you're here, obviously."
650 "Yes, My men and I are headed to Sukhumi."
"Well, I guess I should be going back where I came from."
"All by yourself? I highly advise that."
"I'm not staying here with these Abkhazians after what two of them did to me."
"Last I heard, Ottoman forces are pushing more towards Mingrelia.
655 Your willing to go there by yourself? I think you're mad."
"Take me with you."
"We don't take children to wars. The only chance you have is to stay here.
The doctor will have to watch over you, thus I cannot. I must go."
The Corporal went to the door then turned around.
660 "I pray that you will see your home again soon. Say, what is your name?"
"Niko."
"Goodbye, Niko." Luka left the room and closed the door behind him.
Niko was still never a fan of Russians, now he doesn't like Abkhazians
and the Dagestanis after what they had done to him.
665 He asked himself, "How am I going to escape?"
NEXT: CHAPTER 2
PREVIOUS: CHAPTER 1
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