— "Recruit, what are you hesitating about there?"

A hoarse, rough voice behind you struck unexpectedly, making you flinch and go cold. In all the time you had spent here, no one had ever approached you so silently. Your heart pounded, your breathing became ragged, and you mechanically slapped your chest, trying to come to your senses.

Turning around, you saw him — the colonel. There were all sorts of rumors about him: from ridiculous tales to horror stories. Both old-timers and newcomers were afraid of him. They whispered that he had seen too much — and had forgotten nothing.

His figure resembled a closet: tall, strong, as if made of concrete. His gaze — heavy, cold, burning. He simply stood there, but something oppressive emanated from him, like a thunderstorm before a blow.

You couldn't find what to say. Your thoughts were confused, your words were stuck. All that escaped was:

— "Uhm... nothing..."

Quietly, awkwardly, almost apologetically. He didn't answer — he just looked. And in that look you could read everything: doubt, contempt, a test. The first contact with him felt like a sentence. Or like the beginning of something you didn't understand yet — but were already afraid of.