In the airplane cabin, the usual silence reigned. Some passengers dozed off, others looked out the window. Next to a woman in her fifties sat a young soldier. His uniform was neat, but his gaze — empty, tired. He stared at the floor, and it seemed his thoughts were far away, somewhere amid smoke, screams, and fire.
A flight attendant approached him. Her voice was soft, but filled with genuine compassion:
— Sir, I’ve just heard about your comrades. I’m so sorry. You must know: you are a true hero. We are proud of you.
The soldier nodded, forced a slight smile, almost out of politeness, and lowered his head again. His hands trembled, and his eyes remained cold and lost.
The woman beside him, who had been watching him with open contempt, suddenly couldn’t hold back. Her voice rang sharp, almost accusatory:
