Felix wakes to find that Gabriek is no longer beside him. Exiting the sleeping quarters, he notes that partisans are about to move Gabriek to the main camp where he will be better able to recover from his head wound. Pavel tells Felix that he must remain in the forest camp and act as an assistant to Dr. Zajak. Felix tries wildly to convince people to let him go with Gabriek instead, but everyone tells him to remain in the forest. Dr. Zajak tells Felix that Gabriek needs penicillin to treat his infection, and the other camp has a supply of it. He also assures Felix that the boy will be a good medical assistant. Gabriek promises to return in one month without fail.

After Gabriek leaves, Felix feeds Dom and whispers to him that they are going to sneak away to the main camp six hours north to reunite with Gabriek. Yuli comes up to him and implies that she knows about his plan and that he needs to stay for a month, which will pass quickly. As they are talking, Szulk comes up behind them and makes veiled threats to shoot Felix if he is not a good assistant for the doctor.