1

Tatiana writes to Alexander a few more times before leaving Lazarevo, determined to find him at the front. She secures her papers, passport, and a formal invitation to return to Grechesky Hospital and takes the train back to Leningrad. On the way, she muses on how much has changed throughout the war.

In Leningrad, Tatiana secures lodging with a couple, Stan and Inga. She uses the little money she has to secure food. Meanwhile, she returns to the hospital and starts working long days.

2

Weeks pass without news of Alexander. Finally, Tatiana goes to the barracks, but Alexander isn’t there. She asks after Dimitri, who the guard confirms is alive. She then asks after their fellow soldier Marazov, who comes to meet her at the gate. The two take a walk. Marazov informs her Alexander was recently injured in an attack, suffering second-degree burns on his hands. Tatiana struggles to hide her shock and concern. When they part ways, she tells him not to tell Alexander she visited.

Dimitri shows up at Tatiana’s apartment the following evening, having heard from Marazov that she was asking for him. Convinced she came to see him, he drinks heavily, laments their separation, and forces himself on her.