The dogs started howling frantically a hundred meters away. I supposed that they had just found the old man’s body under its light covering of fresh snow. My tracks would be easy to follow too. The last place I wanted to be right now was trapped atop a railway car.

I turned to climb down and, as I did so, I could tell that the dogs and their handlers were closing in much faster than I had expected. I hesitated, and in that moment, the decision to remain on the roof made itself.

I flattened myself into the snow. Damn.

Katya, is that you?

My heart skipped a couple of beats. Vasily? What are you doing here?

I’m sorry, Katya. They brought me from the camp to help hunt you down. I was hoping you’d be long gone by now. Please help me not to find you. Disappear.

The police had reached the railway car and one officer, rather than Vasily, was climbing to the roof to find me. Gently yet forcefully, I fed him manufactured images of my choosing. When he stood on the roof, I hoped he would find me gone.