Guilt

The depth of guilt felt by an individual is usually directly proportional to their moral compass. In A Train to Moscow, a girl named Sasha is wracked with guilt for situations that were sometimes outside her control.

One source of Sasha's guilt is the death of her friend Marik. Sasha has been friends with Marik and Andrei throughout her childhood, meaning the three are often together as they play. Though Marik is in Sasha's social and political class, Sasha is more drawn to Andrei. Even as a young teen, Sasha is aware that part of that draw is because Andre is different. The two boys become increasingly competitive in an effort to have Sasha's favor. One day, when the three friends are preteens, Andrei finds a live round of ammunition. He gives it to Marik and challenges him to throw it into their campfire. Sasha runs...