While Elizabeth and Vlad were walking, they decided to go play chess because Vlad said:
— Girls can't play chess.
Elizabeth immediately got angry, grabbed Vlad by the hand, and quickly walked toward the room where the chessboards were.
Vlad didn't even have time to finish what he wanted to say:
— But you, Elizabeth, are smart and beautiful, so you can play.
Even if Elizabeth had heard the rest, it probably wouldn't have changed her mind. She was very principled and proud of being a woman. She knew history well and understood how unfairly women had often been treated.
Vlad knew that too. He hadn't meant to insult her. He had simply wanted to make a compliment and say that, in his opinion, Elizabeth was different from everyone else.
When they arrived, Elizabeth silently sat down in one chair, while Vlad sat opposite her.
The chess game began.
Elizabeth confidently moved the white pawn from e2 to e4.
Vlad answered with e7-e5.
Elizabeth developed her knight to f3, immediately putting pressure on the black pawn. Vlad calmly moved his knight to c6.
The tension on the board continued to grow.
Elizabeth brought her bishop to c4, aiming directly at the vulnerable f7 square. Vlad responded by developing his own bishop to c5.
Elizabeth then moved her pawn to c3, preparing to strengthen her control of the center.
Vlad developed his second knight to f6.
Finally, both players castled kingside, protecting their kings and bringing their rooks into play.
For a moment, everything seemed calm.
But Elizabeth had already noticed a weakness in Vlad's position.
She pushed her pawn to d4.
Vlad captured it.
After several exchanges in the center, Elizabeth suddenly moved her queen to b3.
Her queen and bishop were now both targeting f7.
Vlad frowned.
He quickly moved his queen to e7, trying to protect his king.
Elizabeth immediately saw her opportunity.
Her knight jumped to g5.
Vlad tried to drive it away with h6, but Elizabeth was already several moves ahead.
She captured the pawn on f7 with her bishop.
— Check!
The black king was forced back to h8.
Vlad stared at the board, searching for a way out.
Elizabeth then moved her knight to e6.
Vlad looked at the position for several seconds.
There was no way to save the game.
He sighed and carefully laid his king down.
Elizabeth had won.
She immediately jumped out of her chair.
Vlad smiled.
Elizabeth stuck out her tongue at him.
— Dummy! See? I won!
Vlad laughed.
— Don't get too excited. It was just one game.
— A victory is a victory!
They left the room together.
Elizabeth headed toward her sister to show her the result, while Vlad decided to walk around the camp.
---
A little later, Vlad noticed Alex and Denis sitting near one of the trees.
He walked over to them.
— What are you two doing?
Alex looked up.
— Nothing. Just talking.
Vlad nodded.
— You spend a lot of time together lately.
Denis shrugged.
— We're friends. What's wrong with that?
— Nothing, I guess.
Vlad looked at them for a moment before adding:
— I just thought you were planning something.
Alex exchanged a glance with Denis.
— Actually, we are.
Vlad raised an eyebrow.
— What?
Alex lowered his voice.
— We're still working on the escape plan.
Denis immediately looked around to make sure nobody was listening.
— Keep your voice down!
Alex laughed quietly.
— I was going to tell you anyway.
Vlad sat beside them.
— Are you really planning to escape?
— Yes, — Alex replied. — I'm drawing the map. If everything goes according to plan, we'll eventually find a way out.
Vlad looked toward the foggy forest.
Something about the idea made him uncomfortable.
— Be careful.
Alex nodded.
— We will.
The three boys remained silent for a while, listening to the wind moving through the trees.
---
Meanwhile, Elizabeth had reached her sister.
Adaline was acting strangely. Her face was red, and when Elizabeth asked what had happened, she hesitated before answering:
— Nothing.
Elizabeth didn't pay much attention to it.
She was too excited about her victory.
— I beat Vlad at chess!
Adaline looked at her.
— Really?
— Yes! He said girls can't play chess.
Adaline raised an eyebrow.
— And you proved him wrong?
Elizabeth proudly nodded.
— Completely.
She smiled.
— I knew I could beat him.
Adaline laughed.
— You certainly won't let him forget this.
— Never.
Elizabeth folded her arms proudly.
Then there was a knock at the door.
Both girls turned.
Vlad entered.
His hands were hidden behind his back.
He slowly approached Elizabeth and brought out a bouquet of roses.
Elizabeth stared at him in surprise.
Among the flowers was a small note written in their secret language.
She carefully took it.
Vlad immediately looked away, embarrassed.
Elizabeth read the message.
Her expression softened.
— What does it say? — Adaline asked.
Elizabeth smiled.
— He says he didn't mean to offend me. He wanted to say that I'm smart and beautiful, and that I'm special to him.
Vlad's face became bright red.
— I should probably go…
He quickly turned around and left.
Elizabeth laughed quietly.
— My dummy…
Adaline smiled.
— Looks like you two really get along.
Elizabeth looked down at the roses.
— Yeah.
She carefully held the bouquet against her chest.
Outside, the rain continued tapping against the windows.
And somewhere beyond the camp buildings, the fog slowly moved between the trees.