Not a Soul

Operation: Red Bear

Russian Soldier: Lieutenant Artem Sokolov

01 07 2018

0710 Hours

Royal Woods, Michigan

"Ura comrades!" Sokolov said to his squad mates. They all gave a large ura in return. The initial battle was already over. Michigan was already nearly theirs, they only to quell rebels. While on their patrol, they come across a large building. It has a very similar style to the schools back in Russia. This is only confirmed by the giant text School at the top of the building.

Sokolov asks his comrades, "Didn't we take that building already?" He then points to the top of the building. Everyone in the squad puts their AKs at the ready noticing the American flag on the flag pole. Squad Leader Dimitri Lebedev states, "If we lost that building, then again shall we take it."

"Ura!"

"Now men, let us retake what we have earned."

Very quickly the squad of Russians push through the front doors. The interior is barren, dark, and there is papers everywhere, someone was clearly here and tried to run in a hurry... or hide.

"Watch the corners." One of the squad members whispered. Everything within the building read school. The structure, the design, the room placement, everything. There was no activity, not a sound.

Without warning, Sokolov sees a shadow at the end of the hall. "Comrades!" He calls. "Movement front!" The rest of the squad forms up and they all move down the hall as a group. The sounds of footsteps from the other sends chills down Sokolov's back. This could be where he dies, but he knows that his country requires sacrifice.

Lebedev then points out, "Contact front!" Sokolov spots the silhouette of someone peeking around the corner before it disappears around the corner again. The squad advances slower now, weapons all trained on the last known position of the person. It seems like forever for Sokolov. All he can concentrate on is the potential target and his movements.

Just before reaching the corner, a loud bang of a slammed shut door is heard. Sokolov nearly jumps from the sound before reaiming down his sights. They turn the corner and see a small utility closet.

"You think they went in there comrade?" Sokolov asks.

"Dima open it up, squad, take point."

Dima prepares to open the door while Lebedev and Sokolov as well as the fourth squad member form up. As Dima opens the door, what looks like the barrel of gun pointed back at Sokolov causes him to pull the trigger. A volley of AK-12 rounds is pumped into the room, when Lebedev shouts out, "CEASE FIRE!"

Upon letting off the trigger to his AK-12, Sokolov becomes filled with guilt upon the sight of something horrifying.

What could have made this Russian soldier feel guilty? What was still lurking in the school during a full scale invasion? Why where they trying to hide instead of fighting back? You will have to read to find out...