"And what is your version of what it is?" "It is hell. And we stand at its gates, trying to keep them closed." That's what the previous tower keeper told Oscar when he arrived to take his place. In a way, Milo was right, Oscar thought. Such secrecy, such a number of guns... And all of them pointed at the gorge, trying to stop whatever was coming out as quickly as possible. Why did Oscar agree? He was a sniper. Doomed to live alone, constantly moving, killing. He was chosen because no one was waiting for him at home. He had agreed to the contract himself. It was a one-year contract. He was responsible for checking the security system, sensors, mines, and other equipment on a daily basis, and reporting back to the command center every thirty days to ensure that everything was in order. There was no further communication required. Oscar stepped out onto the tower's balcony, facing the opposite side of the gorge. Directly across from him was a similar tower, but on the eastern side. It represented the eastern part of the coalition, while he stood on the western side, which represented America. He looked at Milo, asking: "And who's on the other side?" Milo chuckled in response. "Your invisible partner. You're not allowed to contact. Just guard." Oscar frowned, trying to see who it was, but it was impossible without binoculars. Meanwhile, Milo added: "I noticed someone moving there a couple of hours ago. That means your partner is already on duty. It's time for you too." Oscar nodded, reminding himself of what he had signed up for. Then Milo disappeared. As he told Oscar, he was supposed to be picked up by a helicopter. It was a good thing that Oscar didn't know that Milo never made it out, getting shot right from that helicopter. Oscar's service continued for several weeks. It was a daily routine. Check, reinstall, gather supplies, and guard. But one night, he heard a gunshot from the eastern tower. He stood up from his place on the balcony, walking over to the binoculars, and saw a guy who looked to be about his age standing there with a large piece of paper in his hands, on which was written: "What's your name?" Oscar chuckled, wondering if the guy knew the rules. He returned to the tower, leaving his water flask on the balcony. Then someone shot at it. Oscar immediately realized that it was the same guy. So he returned to the balcony with a signboard, on which he wrote with a marker: "We are not allowed to contact." He waited for the guy on the eastern tower to see it through his binoculars.