Erica fell asleep and slept for a long time. When she awakened, Yuri was sitting at her bedside, holding a Styrofoam cup with a red straw in it.
"Drink," he told her. "It will make you feel better."
Erica took a long sip of the cool water, thinking how marvelous it felt as it slid down her parched throat.
"Is nice, yes?" Yuri smiled at her, and she nodded gratefully.
"Rest some more, now." She felt his lips softly brush her forehead. Soon she returned to a restful sleep.
Yuri slept on the floor of Erica's hospital bed that night. The following morning, Erica offered to share her breakfast with him.
"No, that is all right. You eat. You need your strength. I will be fine," he told her.
Later that day, Erica was released from the hospital. Hand in hand she and Yuri walked into the unknown.
"I don't have any idea where to start looking for them," Erica said.
"We will find them. It will be all right," Yuri said soothingly. "Even if we don't, it will still be all right. You're not alone. I will take care of you, Erica."
How ironic that my former enemy is now my source of comfort and companionship, Erica thought as she and Yuri began walking along the highway.
Lunchtime came and went. Erica's stomach began to rumble, but she didn't complain. Yuri hadn't even had any breakfast.
Eventually they arrived at what was left of a demolished supermarket. Amongst the debris they found several loaves of partially flattened bread, a smashed box of crackers, a few dented cans of tuna and chicken chunks, some canned vegetables and fruit, and bags of apples and oranges. They ate until they were full and then set off again, carrying as much of the food as they could with them.
After awhile, the sky became various shades of yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
"I've always loved sunsets," Erica remarked.
"Is beautiful, yes," Yuri agreed.
"If only the circumstances were different..." Erica sighed.
Yuri lightly touched her cheek. "It will not always be so bad," he said.
"How did you first come to be involved in the war?" Erica asked him.
"All through school I was encouraged to join Soviet army," Yuri told her. "I was always told, Soviet Union is greatest country in the world, best thing you can do is fight for it. We have wheat crop failure, they say, United States have plenty, Americans are all rich, they will not share, so we will take." Yuri paused. "I did not know I would meet American girl like you, Erica."
"So now that you've seen all the death and destruction war causes, do you regret becoming a part of it?"
Yuri became thoughtful. "I regret attacking your country, yes. But if I had never come to United States, I would never have met you. So maybe was good thing after all, yes?" He chuckled.
"Why'd you learn English?"
"Not really sure. Perhaps thought it might be useful some day."
"Did you ever have a girlfriend before, Yuri?"
"Back home, I go out from time to time. Nothing serious. You ever have boyfriend, Erica?"
"No, not really. I've liked boys before, but nothing ever came of it."
Yuri touched her cheek again and smiled a mysterious smile.
"You folks look like you could use a place to stay for the night." The voice belonged to a chubby, middle-aged blonde who looked kind.
"The church over yonder has been opened as a shelter for folks who've been displaced because of the war. I'm Sister Elaine." She smiled and extended her hand to Yuri.
"Is wonderful to meet you." Yuri grinned and shook her hand. "I am Franz Schmidt, and this is my wife, Erica."
Sister Elaine led them to the church. The auditorium was huge and carpeted in red. All the pews had been removed, and in their place huddled small groups of mostly dirty, shabbily dressed, frightened people.
"Here you go." Sister Elaine handed them a couple of blankets. "Just find yourself a spot and make yourself comfortable. Coffee and a hot breakfast in the morning."
"Thank you very much, ma'am," said Erica. She noticed that Yuri looked disappointed.
"What's wrong?" she asked him.
"Nothing," he sighed, settling down beside her with his arms wrapped around her middle and her back against his chest. "You are comfortable, Erica?"
"Very comfortable, thanks. Are you?"
"Yes." He whispered the word into her hair. "Good night, sweet Erica."
"Good night, Yuri." They were both asleep within minutes.