Читать книгу A little time to enjoy eternity - - Страница 11

How reluctant I was to get up! But a school is a school.

The alarm went off at six-thirty, and Lina trudged off, half asleep,

to wash her face.

My mother was already busy in the kitchen.

«Oh, I thought you were at Mara’s,» she said, surprised,

seeing Lina make her way to the bathroom.

The little girl ran to her and hugged her:

«Mummy, I love you so much!» I’m going to wash up and still

make you breakfast.»

The surprised woman smiled:

– I love you too, my daughter. What’s the matter with you today

?

At school, Lina approached her friend during recess:

«I need to tell you something! You won’t believe

what happened yesterday! I saw an angel. And probably a demon.

– what? Are you stoned?» Mara expected anything

but words about angels and demons.

«No,» Lina continued in a half – whisper. «Seriously!

I freaked out yesterday and left home – " and she began her

story.

Slowly, from recess to recess, she told me

Mare explained everything in detail and embellished her impressions.-

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when school was over, they went home together

,discussing what had happened.

«Well, tell me that you’re kidding me, that you

’re making this up.» Mara asked for the tenth time that day

.

– No way! Come to my place now, and I’ll show you this

sword.» You have to believe me, it’s true!

Lina was very afraid that Mara would not want to support her

she hoped that her friend would advise her on what to do, that

from now on it would not be her, but their concern. I really wanted

to share a strange problem with someone-someone who

really believes and will help me do the right thing.

At Lina’s house, they went up to her room, and the girl

crawled under the bed.

She pulled out a dusty boot box and opened the lid. Mara sat down on the floor in front

of the box and took out a bundle.

«Careful, it’s very sharp!» Li-

na warned. «Let me help you!» she began to unroll

the sheet-wrapped object.

A silver sword flashed in front of them, its edges

reflecting everything around them. Mara took it by the hilt. Her intelligent

eyes carefully examined

the find with a penetrating gaze.

He and Lina had been friends since first grade. They both

studied well and got along well, trusted each other with

their secrets, and even called themselves sisters. In the

last year, Mara prepared hard with her parents ' encouragement

By the time she was ready to enter the language institute, Lina

had a hard time growing up and slowed down her studies. All this

led to the fact that they began to see each other less often, and

they had fewer topics for talking. Still, ask any of them

if asked who her best friend was, they would not hesitate to name

each other.

– Have you figured out what to do with it yet?» Mara asked

.

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– No, I just started to come

to myself and calmed down a little after all these adventures, —

Lina answered and added: – And what would you do?

Mara, who always reasoned sensibly, answered:

– I think we should take it to the church – " she said, and

put the sword back in the box. – Since it was lost, as you

say, by a real angel, it is logical to assume

that there he can easily find it and take it away, and

there are also his assistants – priests who can give it

to him… well, at least they probably

know better what is wrong with it to do.

«Great idea! Lina beamed with joy and hugged

her friend, who hugged her back.

Lina was especially pleased when she said «we». It

meant a lot, and Lina silently thanked her

for it. After wrapping the sword back in the sheet and stuffing the bundle

into their backpack, the girls headed for the center of town.

The church was completely silent and there wasn’t a soul in sight. Soft

,warm light streamed in from the windows. It smelled of wax and wood.

They walked along the benches to the altar and looked at the painted walls.

the figures of the saints raised their heads, looking at the high

carved arches of the cathedral. Wooden angels hovered there,

and painted skies decorated the ceilings —

Lina and Mara felt so small and inconspicuous in this huge room

…

A man in a black robe came out of a side door. He

was middle-aged, with a curly white beard that reached almost

to his chest, and a round belly that heaved with every

loud exhalation.

«I’m sorry, please! Lina asked him. —

We need your help!

– What, what is it? «What is it?» he asked anxiously.

– We really need to talk to the priest, this

is very serious!

«He pointed with his palm at the first row of benches:

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– Have a seat, what’s your emergency?»

Lina sat down

next to him, and Mara sat down in the second row next to them.

In her story, Lina decided to omit the first part

about demons, so as not to shock an adult

and not immediately create the impression of a madwoman. She

only talked about the angel and how she had found his sword, and

now she asked for advice on what to do. How do I return this

probably very important item to its owner? She even once-

she returned the bundle and showed the sword to the priest. He listened

in silence, nodding frequently, swaying his body back and forth,

and refused to pick it up. When Lina

finished speaking, he nodded again, stroking his beard, and answered:

– I’ll tell you what, my daughter, whatever happens» – he held up a

finger – " I think the angel

gave it to you for a reason.

He sighed and continued —

«We have an image here. Come on, I’ll show you.» —

He got up heavily and walked slowly along the benches

to the opposite wall.

At the end of the room, in a recess, stood

a human-sized wooden statue of an angel, painted with paint – the

work of a master, a true work of art.

«Here,» said the priest. – I think that you should

pray and tell God about all the issues that

concern you. And I am sure that sooner or later you will get

answers to them. I’ll leave you to it. If anything, come back again,

do not hesitate. I’m here almost always.

When the priest had gone, Mara touched the statue.

– You’ve seen this one?“ – What is it? „she asked.

– No, not really… In general, of course, it looks similar, but that

one was in pure white, and this one in blue… and the wings are different…

that one was much bigger and not as straight… I don’t know,

it probably doesn’t matter now, because we’re in church, won’t he

hear us if we pray? Let’s go together?

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«Come on,» Mara said.

And Lina, closing her eyes, began to say in her mind::

«I have your sword, it is safe and sound, I really want

to return it to you. I understand that this is a very important thing.

How do you get it back? Please take the sword, I’m Lina, I

found your sword… " she kept repeating, and she

believed with all her heart that someone up there would hear her.

Mara was standing next to him. She didn’t pray or try to

speak to the angels; she was already longing to get

outside and get some fresh air. She couldn’t

quite decide whether it was all a game or

something else.

55

CHAPTER 12. another one

demon

It was going to be a long trip. Yandex. Navigator predicted

three and a half hours, but traffic jams increased and the projected

travel time grew.

– I take it your succubi are missing?» – asked

Damiel Keijigena. Then, for Reana’s benefit, he explained, «The highest

demons of vice usually come to Earth with their own weapons.» —

Toy, I think our friend is no exception.

«Yes,

yes, you’re right,» Keijigen replied. – Oksana and Li-

liana. And I’m worried as hell about them. Given the mess

you and I are in, I can’t even begin to imagine where

they might be right now. I really hope that my old

friend and colleague will explain something to us, because then,

on the field, he tried to warn me about something. But then

he must have changed his mind when I saw his fake

passport and tried to shove him back to Hell. In general, then

the conversation failed, and it ended in very raised

tones. So there may not be a warm welcome.

– What did you say about the sword?» Reana asked suddenly.

«A sword?» asked Keijigen.

«A sword? Damiel asked, startled. «No one said

anything about the sword!»

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– Wait! Reana curled up and

poked her ears. «Turn off the radio,» she said.

«What’s the matter with you?» Damiel was startled and reached for her

from the backseat.

– I hear something, very indistinct and quiet, like a

child’s voice. A girl, she’s asking for something. Reana

tensed and squeezed her eyes shut. – She says

she found a silver sword and wants to give it to the owner-

tsu-angelu.

«Oh, my God! Keijigen couldn’t resist asking. – Miracles

continue! A girl, you say? Can you see her face?

Something tells me she has a piercing

in her right nostril.

Reana cringed as she tried very hard to make

contact with this girl, but she didn’t know what to do. She

tried as hard as she could, and finally managed to see

the eyes – unremarkable gray eyes. When she

stopped talking, the vision disappeared, and then it was

difficult to restore it.

«Come on,» Reana said automatically

,her ears still closed. «Don’t stop, talk

to me!»

And the girl spoke, repeating the same thing over and

over again, and Reana could finally make out her pale

face, full lips, and thin blond hair.

– yes! Reana shouted. «So it is!

There’s something glistening on the right side of the bow!

Too much

stress, it was incredibly difficult to keep my concentration.

She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, trying to catch her

breath.

– Hey, angel, rejoice, the sword is found! – shouted out

Keijigen. «And I know who has it!

«Damiel was really happy, he straightened up

and he seemed very enthusiastic.

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«I already understand,» he said. «This is wonderful news!

With the sword, we are power!

«We’re already a force!» Look, our girl communicates

with the help of divine energy, and you say, bata-

reika! Looks like the adventure is just beginning!

Keijigen shouted, slamming the gas pedal to the floor.

By the time they reached Frankfurt, the weather had completely

deteriorated. The leaden clouds drifted along, driven by a strong

wind, and there was no end to them. Large drops of rain pattered

on the windshield. The car’s wipers were running

at full speed, but even that didn’t help much, as the rain was pouring down

like a bucket.

– Wow, it’s been a long time since this happened! Keiji-

kyung was surprised.

«Rain is beautiful! Damiel said suddenly.

He was glued to the car window, watching

the weather with interest. «What a beauty! – What is it? «he said. «What

power! Through the eyes of a person, all this looks simply

unbelievable, I never cease to be surprised how rich, how real

,how bright… a wall of rain, a wall of water from the sky, and people

run away, hiding behind umbrellas that do no good,

and no one looks up.

«Should I drop you off?» Will you look up?» «sehid,»

Keijigen said.

«No, thank you,» Damiel said seriously.»

Next time.» There’s no time right now.

«I love the rain,» Re —

ana said. – I like to stay at home, warm and cozy, drink hot

tea and look out the window.

«I guess it’s really wonderful,»

Damiel said, sounding inspired. «Now I love the rain, too!»

The car pulled into the hotel’s underground parking lot.

«According to my data, our friend is currently living in no —

mera 305,» Keijigen said.

58

– If only he didn’t go anywhere! «We’ll have to hurry, so we can pick up the girl as soon as possible.»

the sword, it might be a danger to her!

When he reached room 305, Keijigen didn’t knock,

but just lightly pressed the door handle and it opened.

Arfimaino, still dressed in the same gray suit, was sitting

on the sofa with his legs crossed.

«Come on in, Keiji. I was worried. But recently I

felt that you were fine and that you would be back soon.

Arfimaino was pouring the alcohol when he saw

Damiel and Reana enter the room.

He jumped up from the sofa and waved his hands.

I didn’t expect

you to… why did you bring him here?» «But then he calmed down.» —

I stopped and sniffed. – And our girl, or what, or not?..

I don’t understand, here are miracles, I’ve become quite old!

– Hello! Reana said, but

no one paid any attention, and Damiel remained standing

silently by the door, arms crossed, looking

down on Arfimaino.

«No, not ours,» Keijigen said. «But they

’re with me. I’m sorry, I can’t help it. He sat

down in the chair opposite the sofa and sipped his drink. – I

probably shouldn’t have listened to you out there on the field, old friend,

something unimaginable is happening in the world. Who could

have suggested it.

«Yes,» said Arfimaino thoughtfully. He reached

for a cigar. – We have become mortals. All of us. Even

them! he nodded at Damiel.

– How is that possible?»»

Ah, my dear Keijigen, it all happened so fast

,so fast… Three days ago, rumors began to spread through Hell that

everything would soon end, that the X-hour was coming, and if anyone

wanted to continue their existence, they had to pass the ora-

59

and bow down to a certain black messenger.

It was all very strange. I do not know if

any of our people bowed down, but I was whispered in time to get out-

I thought there would be a big massacre… and I did… you know,

I’m already old, I’ve served Hell a hundred times, and I want

to live a little for myself, see the world…

Keijigen was perplexed, he was very surprised and

charmed.

«Brother, what about your fellows? I don’t believe you could

leave like this…

– And I didn’t believe until the last

moment that something serious could happen. You didn’t believe me then, either! I thought

I’d run away just in case, hang out here

on Earth for a couple of days, and then come back. He buried his face in his hands

and sobbed. «We can’t go back now,»

he wailed. «There’s nowhere to go back… And not to anyone…

– Do you know what happened there?» You can feel

everyone, right? Keijigen asked.

Arfimaino looked up.

«I’m a mortal, Keiji, I’m a human now…» He patted

his chest. – I can’t even light a cigar with my finger!

I didn’t think this would happen on my bike.

Now I don’t know how I feel. Almost nothing, I’m afraid,

just the remnants of the old power floating around. I couldn’t get in touch with any of

our people here, but I saw you this morning…

He took a drag on his cigarette and continued,

«Some third force that lives by completely different

laws, spitting on both Hell and Heaven. Keiji, they, they-

but, caught us off guard, but we didn’t last an hour!

And it looks like Paradise also fell pretty quickly. I’m afraid it

’s something that was written in the Crimson Book…»

– I studied hidden knowledge a long time ago and read

a book. There were a lot of things written there, about different things. I tried

,I remembered, but the human body leaves its

mark. I do not remember. Almost nothing.

60

– I did not pass the electives. Keijigen took a sip

from his glass, he turned his head. «Damiel, do you have something in there

was it about this?

He shook his head.

«There are some torn pages in the Book of Light,»

he said. – They were always kept separate, and it was

about the last days of divine energy. This scared a

lot of people, so they were taken out and forgotten. We are not familiar with their content.