Andrius Arvydas, a young man in Ruta Sepety’s novel, Between Shades of Gray, appears to readers as a snarky tough kid on the train. He is introduced to readers in chapter 10 on a crowded boxcar which is filled with the stench of sweat. “I’m Andrius Arvydas,” he said to Lina only to get a nod in return (36). He begins to show his strength and wit when Lina calls the NKVD “pigs” (36) and Andrius tells her “Shh. I wouldn’t say that … I just don’t want you to get in trouble”(36) His protective instinct was strong and grows with each passing chapter. Lina’s interest in him becomes apparent in chapter 13 when she states “I dozed off, thinking of Andrius, trying to see his face” (51). Their relationship, at such a young age, shows readers what true
