#red forest

The sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky, painting the surroundings of the Red Forest in warm hues. Three stalkers silently gazed into the distance, admiring the pines and grass, while a pot of boiled potatoes cooled nearby. Beyond the horizon, loomed the chimney of the Chernobyl NPP.

"You know, Doctor mentioned that he’d help us get into the center of the Zone."

"Ah, Strelok, just don’t tell me you showed him the maps?"

"Yeah, Fang, I know we can trust him."

Fang squinted and let out a quiet snort. Ghost, who had been absentmindedly peeling a freshly boiled potato with his fingers, froze for a moment, then slowly turned his head toward Strelok. A flicker of interest passed through his eyes.

"And why the generosity?" His tone carried a hint of wariness. "The center of the Zone isn’t exactly Rostok, and Doctor... Well, he always knows something we don’t."

"Exactly," Strelok nodded. "That’s why we need to listen to his advice. And most importantly — he let slip that there’s something secret there."

Ghost stared thoughtfully at the potato in his hands, tapping it with his fingers.

"So, what exactly there is in the center of the Zone?"

"He won’t say. But I’m sure — it can change everything."

"Change what?"

"Everything," Strelok repeated. "And I want to see it."

A pause settled between them. Fang was the first to break the silence.

"But how are we going to get past the Brain Scorcher?"

Strelok cast him an amused glance and nudged him in the shoulder with his elbow. Fang tried to hide a smile, pretending to search for a better-looking potato. Strelok’s voice rang with excitement.

"We’ll manage! In the end, all stalkers are drawn to the center of the Zone, all of them, Fang..."