Mila stood before the warden, her request for a cell change on her lips. "Мне нужно перевести в другую камеру," (I need to be moved to a different cell) she said firmly, trying to convey the urgency of her request.
The warden glanced at her with a stoic expression. "И зачем вам нужна смена камеры?" (And why do you need a cell change?) he asked, seemingly uninterested.
"Я женщина, и я не хочу быть в одной камере с Александром," (I'm a woman, and I don't want to be in the same cell as Alexander) Mila explained, hoping that her plea would be taken seriously.
The warden sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Я понимаю ваши опасения, но видите ли, у нас ограниченные возможности для заключенных высшей степени опасности. Мы не можем удовлетворить такие просьбы, если нет крайних обстоятельств." (I understand your concerns, but you see, we have limited facilities for maximum-security inmates. We cannot accommodate such requests unless there are extreme circumstances.)
Mila's frustration grew, knowing that her safety and well-being were at stake. "Но я не могу оставаться в этой камере с ним," (But I can't stay in that cell with him) she insisted. "Это небезопасно для меня." (It's not safe for me.)
The warden's expression remained unmoved. "Вы оба классифицируетесь как заключенные высшей степени опасности, и нет свободных камер в отдельных крыльях. Извините, но я не могу удовлетворить вашу просьбу." (You both are classified as maximum-security prisoners, and there are no available cells in separate wings. I'm sorry, but I cannot grant your request.)
Mila's heart sank, feeling trapped in a situation beyond her control. She knew that staying in the same cell as Alexander could lead to further problems, but it seemed that the warden was unwilling to consider her concerns.
"Можете ли хотя бы усилить меры безопасности?" (Can't you at least increase security measures?) she implored. "Мне нужна какая-то гарантия, что я буду в безопасности." (I need some assurance that I'll be safe.)
The warden sighed again, his patience wearing thin. "Наши меры безопасности уже строги для заключенных высшей степени опасности," (Our security measures are already stringent for maximum-security inmates) he replied. "Вам придется обойтись с вашим текущим размещением." (You'll have to make do with your current arrangement.)
As Mila left the warden's office, a sense of helplessness washed over her.
__________
Alexander began lifting weights in the cell, the rhythmic clinking of metal filling the air. Both he and Mila resorted to silence, keeping their distance and avoiding each other's gaze.
But the tension between them couldn't be ignored for long. One evening, Alexander broke the silence, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. "Что сказал вам начальник, когда вы разговаривали с ним?" (What did the warden say when you spoke to him?) he asked, glancing over at Mila.
Mila sighed, not eager to share her conversation with him. "Это не твое дело," (It's not your business) she replied, hoping to end the conversation before it could escalate.
"Это касается и меня," (It is all of my concern) Alexander retorted, setting the weights down with a thud. "Мы в этом вместе, и все, что влияет на одного из нас, влияет на другого."
