Summary

In Chapter 25, when she gets off the train, Vera struggles to locate a truck that will take them across the frozen lake. She is so tired she falls to her knees. Anya screams at her, encouraging her to get back up. She offers the first man she finds the butterfly but he will not take it. He agrees to give her a ride in exchange for her wedding ring.

The truck has to stop at one point because the Germans are bombing the road. Anya notices that Leo has stopped breathing. Vera gives him mouth to mouth resuscitation and gets him breathing again. Anya points out how hot Leo is. They get out of the truck in search of the infirmary. The doctor tells Vera that if she can get Leo to the hospital in Cherepovets that he might survive.

Vera, Anya...