He got an A+, but he never slept soundly again. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see the "spark of life" Pavlenko demanded, and he realized some secrets were meant to stay unwritten.
"They are perfect," Pavlenko said, leaning in close. "But tell me, Kirill... now that you know how life is truly put together, do you find it beautiful? Or are you afraid?" He got an A+, but he never slept soundly again
The next day, as Pavlenko walked between the desks, he stopped at Kirill’s station. The old teacher, whose eyes usually looked like cold glass, softened. He picked up the lab report. He got an A+
