I stumbled from the train station toward the taxi stand, but was only halfway across the lot when I saw the older woman standing near the taxis watching me. My breath caught in my chest at the sight of her. She was in her fifties now, but still so beautiful that it made my heart hurt. My Alena, here after all this time.

I couldn’t say if my fog lifted or just crystalized, but I felt clear-headed and strong as I rushed toward her, sweeping her up in a fierce hug. She laughed at that, but I could feel tension in her too, so after a moment I released her and stepped back.

“I’m sorry…But it is you, isn’t it?”

She nodded, tears shining in her eyes as she smiled. “It is. I was on the train as well, but I wanted you to have time to read the pages before we met. We want you to understand as much as you can before you hear the last of it. Did you read it all?”

I frowned. “I did, but I don’t know what any of it means…I just…my God, I must be going crazy. I remember you, remember loving you so much, but I also remember my other life in America. How is any of this possible?”

Alena reached out and touched my cheek tenderly, her joy seeming to give way to an abiding sadness. “It is better for him to explain it to you. It is not my story to tell. Come, I have a car nearby.”

****

We traveled the few miles to the town of Pripyat, and even at a distance I was amazed by the juxtaposition of the town’s ruins with the trappings of tourism. Buses, hostels, and even a few spots selling snacks and souvenirs. It felt like watching a party in a graveyard.

I guess in some ways, that’s exactly what it was.

But soon enough we were turning away from the town and heading into the forest between Pripyat and the plant. I could already see security blocking the way a few hundred yards ahead, but before long Alena was pulling down into the trees with the surefootedness of long-developed habit. She gave me a quick smile and said we had to walk from there so the car wouldn’t get stuck.

Before long we were in a clearing, and in the center of the clearing was the ventilation pipe that Alexi…that I…had written about. I felt only dim surprise when Alena went to it and opened it easily. Within moments, without any words between us, I was following my lost love down into the dark.