C.N.P.P.

Chapter III

"Who wrote that letter," thought Vlad. The handwriting seemed familiar to him. It is like the person who wrote this, knew that he was alive. "Could it be" thought Vlad. His predictions came to an investigation. But soon after he gave up trying his luck.

Another week passes and another letter comes.

"Another one" murmured Vlad to himself. "Again, without a name!"

He opened the letter and read what it says; "The past week I was wandering around Pripyat, looking for your house. I knew you left, but I still thought you may be there. When I came across the neighborhood, it laid in ruins, glass from the buildings was gone, walls were starting to weather away. It was creepy."

He felt the paper in his hands. He was starting to feel sorrow. He couldn't think about anything else except his home. He was lost.

"Hold on," exclaimed Vlad, "there's something on the back!"

There was a photo on the back. A photo that showed his home, Pripyat. Then a photo of his family in the forest he got lost in. He was just a little boy, 3 years old.

Then on the back of the photo is a sentence that said, "Street Gagarin, House 37, Apartment 16." Whoever was writing that knew where Vlad lived.

"It couldn't be," Vlad thought, "no, Yuri wouldn't go there. But my dad is dead. Who could it be?"

That letter made him think again, and for a long time.

"Why would Yuri go back to Pripyat? How were the photos found? I thought we've hidden them. Could it be? Could it be my dad?"

Then the doorbell rang. He opened the door to let his mom in. She looked tired. Her beautiful blonde hair was turning grey. She had bags under her eyes. She was withered.

"Vlad, dear, can you make dinner," said his mom in a very tired voice, "I don't feel so well."

"Sure, but mom look at this photo." He showed her the photo of their family in the forest. His mom looked much better on there.

"Where did you get it from?"

"Somebody sent a letter with them to me."

"But who could find it. Nobody except me, your dad, and you knew where they were." She looked confused.

"Mom, I think it wasn't dad in that picture on the TV. I think our dad is alive and is still in Pripyat."

"You really think it was him." His mom smiled and let a tear. She looked much younger when she smiled. She didn't smile since the time she saw that news report.

Vlad made dinner. He and his mom talked at the table and then they went to bed.

Vlad had a dream where he, his mom, and his dad were running through the forest. He remembered how his dad taught him how to ride a bike. He remembered all the moments he had with his family.

The next day comes around. Vlad hopes to get another letter but remembers that it's a Sunday and post offices don't work on Sundays. He and his mom went to the supermarket to buy groceries but all that time, Vlad was thinking about his dad. He was wishing to see him.

The evening went the same as yesterday, dinner then sleep. When he went to sleep, he saw a dream that was not at all regular. He was his dad. He saw through the eyes of his dad. Vlad saw that his dad was at his house, in a lonely bedroom without the windows. He was alone in the city. Vlad woke up drenched in cold sweat, wondering how he would see his dad. He made himself go to sleep again.

When he woke up the next morning, he was already at the door waiting for the mailman.

Knock, knock. The mailman is here.

"A letter for Vladislav Kutuzov."

"Thank you," said Vlad as he took the letter from the mailman's hands.

He tore open the letter, which said, "Dear Vlad, it's your dad who is writing these letters to you. Today I am going to go and ask for evacuation. When I was roaming Pripyat, I met other people who were left behind. They were going to ask for evacuation as well, so I won't be the only one who goes on that train. Anyways can you meet me at the train station today's evening? Sincerely, Pavel."

He showed his mom the letter at breakfast. When she read the letter, it was like a burden was lifted off her. She looked 20 years younger. She was happy again.

That evening they both went to the train station, waiting for a train coming from Pripyat. When the train came, the passengers left and one of them was Vlad's dad.

"Honey," said Vlad's mom. "I can't believe you're back. We thought you were dead. When the news reported the accident, we saw someone that looked like you."

"I don't care who that was, at least I'm back with you," said Vlad's dad.

They got home and were reunited and happy.