Читать книгу Collection of mysticism. + author’s biography including essays about books - Tsvetana Alekhina - Страница 4

It was a polar night outside. My face felt cold, I inhaled the cold air and felt my lungs wheezing. This climate was not good for me and from the constant swinging through the icy air it made itself felt, I got the flu and felt bad. I visually remembered the route along which we were driving with friends by car. It was not so close. I was discouraged and continued on my way hoping to find a passing car. After walking a few blocks, I turned onto the next street and walked along the night windows. Flakes of snow were slowly falling on my head, and I took it as a sign from above, it gave me hope that I had a chance to see her again.

It was time for dinner; it was our last dinner with a neighbor. We shared a meal with him in a friendly way, sitting pleasantly in the common dining room. There was a deathly silence in the ward. He was packing his things, I sat and stared at one point and did not break the silence.

– What are you thinking about?

– That everything will end soon. I will return to my circles, and everything will be as if nothing ever happened.

– How is that so? This cannot be happening. After what you have been through, everything will be different for you.

– How? Explain?

– Your life will change. Worldview, environment.

– And it seems to me that the opposite is true. The friends who went through hell with me will stay here, you are also here, the person to whom I opened my soul, and my friend is a ghost, about whom I cannot tell anyone, has already disappeared forever. It hurts.

– Well, the past always hurts. Therefore, it is not worth remembering, and coming back. And we, your friends, we will meet again. We will come to you ourselves. In addition, do not think about bringing, you still have your whole life ahead of you. This relic needs to be experienced and it will become easier.

My friend calmed me down. We went out to smoke, leaving the door open. A blizzard howled outside the window. That howl did not affect me so much anymore. I was thinking more about going home. I wanted to leave here tomorrow with Vova, I was afraid to be alone. The sudden slam of the door made me jump.

– What is wrong with you?

– Nothing.

– «I can see you’re scared.

– «I don’t know what came over me. I looked out into the corridor and saw that the door to our room was closed. – Who closed it?

– A draft.

– Why is there a draft here? They do not open the windows at this time of year. Especially here, in this department. My friend looked at me warily. He did not say anything. I noticed that he himself was not at ease.

– Let’s go from here. We returned to the ward. Strong tea helped me to relax, and I forgot myself a little. Night was falling, and we got ready for bed. Everything went as usual, today we did not turn off the lights, but decided to spend the night without sleeping, and this was our last conversation, my last story about how I found myself alone with her.

I walked along a deserted street straining my ears to hear the sound of a passing car. The weakness in my body from the flu took away my strength, my legs gave way, and I no longer had the strength to walk. Fortunately, for me, I saw the headlights, the engine died down muted. I looked around and saw a taxi. I was lucky. I came closer and asked if he was busy.

– Sit down. I heard the nervous voice of the taxi driver. The car door slammed, and we drove off. We arrived at the address I indicated, and the taxi sped off at breakneck speed in the opposite direction. I was alone again, only this time in the cemetery.

I was waiting for I do not know what, realizing that if I take a step now, it will be impossible to cancel this action. Why am I doing this? I asked myself this question without knowing the answer to it. After standing for a minute, I took a decisive step. As soon as my foot set foot on the territory of the cemetery, I immediately felt that I was already mechanically not here. Although in fact I was still at the entrance, but my intuition suggested something else. I could smell Navi. It scared me, but I was not afraid. The very fact that I have already spoken here means that my soul is already there.

Grave, I purposefully headed to the unmarked grave, deciding that it was no longer worth going to my grandmother’s grave. The cemetery itself is a creepy place, but at night, especially in the north, it is much scarier here. I remembered all the scary pictures from horror movies, and realized that it was scary to walk through a cemetery at night. Although if you put aside fears, the only thing I was afraid of was getting lost and not finding that grave.

That night was the worst nightmare of my life. Nothing can scare me anymore, after what I went through last night. This whole world of Navi, ball, and Sabbath, it’s not that compared to what I experienced. I roughly remembered the route and stuck to it. I was sure that I was going the right way, and I even met familiar graves. I did not notice how the cemetery was enveloped in darkness. It was a black fog. Perhaps this is because it was a polar night outside. Stopping for a second, I looked around and realized that I did not understand where I was going. Nothing was visible. The cemetery was shrouded in black haze and its appearance was similar to medieval times. Everything was so old, not well groomed, abandoned, and snowdrifts disappeared from under my feet. I immediately realized that she was somewhere nearby. It made me happy, because that is exactly what I wanted.

Modern cemetery fences have disappeared, there was none at all? I realized that I would not find that grave anymore, and I did not need it anymore. I was found and so. Not knowing what to do next, I set off, I was wondering where I was. Of course I was afraid, but the more I was afraid, the more I was stuck in this black world. I came here voluntarily, against my reason. In addition, I had nothing left to lose. After walking through several graves, I realized that I could not get away from here. I lost my bearings. There was no inscription with a name on any of the tombstones. It was hopeless. I decided to go back to where I came from, maybe it would be better this way, I thought. Feeling my pockets with my hands, I found neither documents nor money. This was the final sign that I was already in another dimension.

– What is next? I asked aloud.

– «This cemetery will be your grave. I heard an angry voice.

– I am already dead thanks to you.

The fog abruptly dissipated, a strong snowstorm caught me, and I was circling in the air. Then she abruptly threw me away, and I hit my head on a stone obelisk. I barely got up and waited for further attacks.

– What is next? She did not show her face. Although I have already seen him several times.

Then the most terrible thing began. The cemetery has adopted the summer season. The uprising of the dead has begun. Coffins were lifted from the graves, the lid of the coffin was opened, some long-buried dead coffin crumbled, and they got out of it. They got up and came out of the coffin like zombies. They were all wearing a white shirt to their feet; their deadness was emphasized by the color of their skin and the dip of their eyes and dark circles under their eyes. They did it all at the same time, coffins jumped out of the graves, the lid of the coffin flapped and fell to the ground, and I involuntarily shuddered. Their thin, nasty and bony fingers were disgusting. This whole picture came up so suddenly that I did not expect it.

I did not know where to run. And there was nowhere to go, there was a cemetery all around, the black sun and I was left alone with a horde of the dead. For a second I thought she was just scaring me. But when they all came at me and began to pull their hands towards me, I realized that this was not a joke. I was not afraid to die, but not at the hands of zombies. It was disgusting for me. I wanted to die fighting with her, for her, with her. To die in her arms. I was ready to go for it. The horde of the dead disgusted me and I wanted to get rid of them. I did not have anything that could save me. No daylight, no crowing of roosters, only a miracle, it remained to hope for a miracle.

I crossed my fingers for luck and began to run, I ran as fast as I could, forgetting about my illness and indisposition. The dead were running after me, but not as fast as I was. It surprised me. I stopped and looked around. I was surrounded from all sides. All the dead have risen.

– It is yours. I heard a ruthless voice. I forgot about being a gentleman and shouted,

– come out one on one. The earth shook. There was silence. I heard one of the coffin lids fall. Mara appeared before me.

– How dare you compete with me? This time her appearance was scary. She looked like a witch from Viya. – What are you going to do to me? I stood there like a boy. I had nothing to say in response. She glared at me angrily and without saying anything, disappeared into thin air.

It is over. The dead left, they lay down in their coffins covering themselves with a lid and the coffin itself disappeared. All this happened in a matter of minutes. When closing the lid, it slammed as well as when opening; I did not have time to watch what was happening. And I was left alone again and waited for my fate.

The picture changed the screensaver again, and I ended up where I was originally, only for some reason knee-deep in a snowdrift. My phone was at my place along with the money and documents. For a minute, it seemed to me that Mara had left me alone. I decided that she could not scare me and she was not interested in me anymore. It was dark at night. I turned on the flashlight on my phone and started shining. My hands were red and shaking from the cold. I decided to find that grave at all costs and get into the world of Navi. I was shining a flashlight around trying to figure out where I was. There were fences and graves all around, deathly silence. It seemed to me that the slightest sound could scare me. But nothing broke the silence. The wind and snow intensified and for me it was already a sign. During these days spent here, I began to consider the wind and snow as something paranormal. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it. I went in a direction that seemed familiar to me. Having illuminated the familiar nameless cross with a flashlight, I took a decisive step towards it and fell into a snowdrift.

I was up to my waist in a snowdrift. Then I began to sink even deeper and I was sucked in. I woke up in complete darkness and cramped. I began to feel around, trying to figure out where I was. I did not understand right away. It was hard for me to breathe, and then there was not enough oxygen at all. I could not stand it and started calling for help. However, no one came to help. I realized that I was in a wooden coffin. I experienced a terrible horror, being there, a lump rose to my throat and tears of resentment choked me. I was helpless again. And no one heard me again. Mara, she played with me like some kind of kitten. I was her entertainment. Every time I was left in, a hopeless situation and she laughed, gave me oxygen, and then blocked it again. I thought it would never end. Moreover, when it was all over, I was looking for an excuse to repeat it again.

This stay in the coffin humiliated me, and I lost interest in this woman. I wanted to get home as soon as possible before it was too late. I felt myself and felt the phone and everything else. The battery was running out, probably from the cold. I turned on the flashlight. It gave me more strength. If the phone is here, then I am here. I had an incentive, if I am here, then I need to run away from here, and I decided to get out so that it would not become. I was wondering where am I? In the grave or on the surface? My mind was sound and I was happy about it. I started knocking with my hands and feet, and realized that the coffin lid was not firmly closed. I began to knock with all my might and threw it off. I sat down and caught my breath. Then I quickly got out of this horror. Grave was in a freshly dug grave, in the same cemetery, and next to the same unmarked grave.

– «This is your grave. I heard the words through hysterical laughter. The laughter was harsh, rude and mocking. My hatred for this woman grew more and more. There is no trace of my first impressions. I no longer felt for her what I felt for the first time. Those moments melted away. I ran to the exit, hoping to escape. But I forgot that Mara is a natural element herself.

My next test was that I ended up in the underworld with the devils. A blizzard picked me up and transported me to another dimension.

– This is your new world. Meet me. She said with malice. Your soul does not belong to you. Very soon, you will settle here for good.

I looked around me and saw that I was in hell. The devils rejoiced at the sight of me. They danced. I had no joy from what I saw, I was tired, and my eyes went out. I wanted to fall through, disappear through the ground, but I was already underground. I started all this myself, and I regretted it very much. I realized that I could not get out. My only salvation was my friends, but I did not really count on them, they might not have time to save me. I saw my grave with my own eyes, and it was true.

– «But they saved you.»

– Yes, but for how long? I know I am already dead. My soul does not belong to me. She is there. I made this mess myself. There was a void in my eyes. I could smell death. I wanted peace, but I could no longer find it, knowing in advance, what awaits me after death.

My friend looked at me with bitterness in his eyes. The lights were on in our room, and it looked like a cell. In which two monks were sitting and one confessed sins to the other.

– Practice. Mara shouted. In addition, she left me alone with these demons.

I sat down on the ground and put my face in my hands. I understood that my situation was hopeless, those creatures like the ghost, the grandmother, and not all the others were no longer there. There is no one to save me anymore.

Moreover, I was waiting for my fate again. I wanted so much to see my ghost, who once took my grandmother’s place.

– Very soon, you will take this place. An angry voice shouted. She did not show herself, but she was always there. I remembered the words of my grandmother, «she will turn your whole soul inside out.» «Oh, and she’ll wear you out.» These words are etched in my memory. Now, after so many years, these words have come true.

I fell silent; it was about midnight on the clock. – There is still a whole night ahead.

– Yes, and you have something to tell me.

– That is for sure. We crept quietly down the corridor to smoke. I peeked through the half-open door so that the nurse on duty would not notice us.

– What are you looking for there?

– I am looking so that we will not be noticed.

– Calm down. We are not really needed here. Moreover, especially this sister. Another one will come tomorrow, that is another matter.

I looked out again and noticed how the lights went out in our ward. My face changed, and Vovan noticed it.

– What happened?

– The light went out.

– So he was not there. There is no light in the entire corridor.

– There is no light in our ward.

– So the light bulb burned out. Do not worry. This is not mysticism. You are just nervous overexertion. Today I will be discharged, and tomorrow I will come for you. I promise you. I will arrange with the doctor and take you away from here. The words of a friend calmed me down, and I myself believed that the light bulb had burned out.

We returned to the dark room and the lights came on again. – Don’t worry. It happens with light bulbs.

– «I know that. My friend was cheering me on. But I already knew she was here. She came to take my soul. – It is all over today. My friends will install a fence and a monument today. And the entrance will be closed.

– This is good news. Then you have nothing to worry about at all. I continued my story.

The devils were bothering me. In addition, I no longer paid attention to them. I did not care. Indifference set in. My flesh felt being underground, the air was heavy, I had a terrible headache, and the touch of devils made me sick. I remembered how I once saved one of them. I would not do that now. I stood up to my full height, looking with my eyes for at least the slightest clue, at least something that could help me. It was the same clearing and the oak, everything was the same, but there was not the same drink. I wondered if I could go back upstairs without him. I ran up to the oak tree, the devils were dragging me by the sleeve, and I was pushing them away. I hugged the oak tree tightly and with a feeling of remorse for what I had done, I thought about returning home.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the old picture again – I was in the cemetery. The underworld is a cemetery. That is all I have seen in the last few days. I groped for my phone, and sent a message to my friends that I was at the cemetery and I was dying. Deep down I hoped for salvation, but in fact, my case was hopeless. She hugged me tightly in her arms. I went to the exit, no longer hoping to get out. My hopes were confirmed, the exit was blocked. I was hitting an invisible glass. I ran away and hit my face on it. My attempts were in vain. I realized that I was under invisible arrest.

– What should I do? I thought. The idea came to my head to find the grave of my grandmother and ask her for help, and suddenly. I thought, and went in search of a grave. I walked confidently, already knowing the way. Here they are familiar graves. I was walking around the garden meeting acquaintances. Every familiar grave pleased me. And it was killing me. I was reproaching myself. – How could I bring myself to such a state?

Snow covered the entire cemetery, and only in some places, relatives cleared the graves of the deceased. Here it is, my grandmother’s native grave. It was in an abandoned state, I did not even clean the snow. There was no one to take care of her, the fence was rusty, and so was the cheap obelisk. I stepped over the fence and came close to the monument. I also noticed how the shadow of a beautiful woman flashed by, it was noticeable from a dim lantern located far from the cemetery. I shuddered at the thought that she was somewhere nearby. I did not want to have anything to do with her and closed the fence in the hope that I protected myself.

– Oh, if only I could take it all back. I thought. As soon as I thought about it, I immediately found myself in a clearing covered with moss, and my friend was standing on it. I was so glad to see him that I even wanted to hug him.

– So we met! He said joyfully. I will help you escape, but for this, you will strictly follow my instructions. Break at least one, take my place, or next to me. I agreed without hesitation.

– «You’ll eat this powder first. Then you will go straight from here to the airport, and you will fly to your home, you will move from home to warmer climes, where there is no snow, there it will not reach you. If you do not, then no one will save you. This powder will make you invisible. Its effect does not last long. While she is looking for you, you will have to hide, it is better to go to the airport right away. If you delay, then your friends will suffer too. With the dawn it will be more difficult for her, try to stay in the sun as long as possible.

The ghost’s words cheered me up. I was sure that I would succeed. I swallowed the magic powder and quickly ran to the tree. I was able to quickly transfer from one world to another. I found myself at the gate; I just had to get out. – Thanks, friend. I said to myself and took a step forward. I did not pay attention to myself. Forgetting about the potion I had taken, my thoughts were at home. The only thing I noticed was that no one was following me. I had already moved away and looked back. The cemetery was left behind. No one was following me, and I began to examine myself. Their hands, feet, clothes. I did not notice any changes and continued on my way. I understood that I could not walk, but I could not find a car at this time in this place. My heartbeat increased, and I ran, hoping to run out of here into a crowded part of the city.

After making a stop, I felt myself, found my passport, ticket and phone, and breathed a sigh of relief. Opposite me was a 24-hour pavilion with artificial flowers. I went into it to warm up and realized that I was not visible. I liked it, and I got into the role. After standing for a while, I went outside and wanted to continue my way; fortunately, a car drove up and stopped at the store. The driver got out without closing the door. It was good for me. I saw my salvation. – That is the luck. I thought as I got into the backseat. The door carelessly slammed and attracted the driver’s attention. He looked for a long time, decided that it was a draft, and went into the store.

I looked around and realized that the family was in mourning and a man had come for a wreath. The driver was already walking back, carrying a wreath. I realized that I would get out of here quickly. The door opened and the wreath was next to me. He terrified me. It would be better if he did not exist. -«It’s nothing,» I consoled myself. But the feeling of anxiety did not leave me. We were driving fast; I would even say we were speeding. I leaned back in my seat and relaxed. I have already heard the noise of the plane in which I will fly, and peace has come to my heart. The weather helped me, the blizzard stopped, the wind died down and nothing prevented my return.

Now I reproach myself for what I did then. I made a mistake. I remember the words of the ghost, which he said to me before my departure from the world of Navi. – Don’t make a mistake. If you make even one mistake, you will take my place.

My mistake was that I took out my phone and texted my friends that I was going to the airport. If I had not done that, then nothing would have happened. The driver was stunned by what he saw and let go of the steering wheel, braking sharply, he looked back. Now I understand how he felt at that moment. For him, it was an unexpected shock in the middle of the night with a funeral wreath in the backseat. I tried to hide the phone and scared him even more. The phone was put away. The driver jumped out of the car and began to make the sign of the cross over himself. Calming down a little, he opened the back door and carefully examined the interior. Then he opened the second door and looked at everything from the other side. I froze and sat without breathing. Closing both doors, he got behind the wheel, made the sign of the cross and drove on.

– I imagined it. He said. – It is necessary to go to the cemetery less at night. – That is exactly what I thought.

We were flying at breakneck speed. I was afraid to move. Outside the window, I saw a blizzard chasing us. She looked like a hurricane, or even a tornado. Paranormal phenomenon. The driver said.

– This is mysticism. I thought, and realized that it was behind me. Now I will drag the driver with me.

The car overturned several times. I do not know the fate of the driver, but mine is in store for me.

– Don’t boil ahead of time. I will decide everything. I saw how Vova confidently behaves. He did not know that everything had already been decided. I would like his confidence even for a minute. I heard someone’s footsteps in the corridor, and looking at the door, I saw a shadow flash under it. I realized that he had not seen anything and did not say anything.

– «I’ll pick you up from here tomorrow. I think nothing will happen to you in one day.

– «I think so too,» I replied indifferently.

– Well, well done.

We went out to smoke. The time was about five in the morning. We smoked in silence. Everyone did it nervously. This nervousness irritated even more. Upon returning to the ward, we brewed strong tea. A nurse came to us and made a remark. We quietly closed the door behind her and continued the tea party. At this tea party, I told him everything to the end.

When our car overturned, the windows flew in different directions and damaged my face. This hurricane swept away everything in its path and caused great damage. Possibly even fatal. Cars overturned, windows flew out of shops, bus stops overturned. Until I got out of the car. When I got out, I was not visible, and I realized it. I could barely stand on my feet and I was swaying from side to side. She would not have noticed me if it was not for my phone. It rang. In addition, she heard the bell ring. That call ruined my soul and me.

– Your friends are waiting for you at the cemetery! She shouted with a roar. That is where you belong. She picked me up and carried me away. I was spinning in this blizzard like a top. I no longer felt myself, the pain, the cold. I was just sick with hunger and swirled in this tornado. I flew over houses, destroyed shops, and felt like a snowflake, a grain of sand in this whirlwind. At last, the wind died down, and I found myself with her on an icy plain. It was our last meeting with her.

There was an ice field all around me. The wind died down. The ice was slippery. This field was without beginning and without end. It was infinity. I did not feel the cold and the pain from the scars on my face. She was circling over me and laughing loudly.

– So we met. Did you dream about it? Isn’t that right?

I was silent in response. Along with the silence, I experienced indifference. She stopped circling, stopped and turned into a beautiful woman. Such as, I saw then in my room. Her image remained in my memory. She walked slowly towards me and came close to me. My breath caught in my throat, and an internal tremor went through my whole body. Her beauty dazzled me, but I continued to hate her. This hatred negated everything, all my admiration for this woman. Her husband will never forgive me for what I did. I have incurred his wrath. He appeared in front of me on an ice throne. Next to him was my ice statue.

– Very soon you will decorate my garden. He said sarcastically and disappeared. I fell silent.

– And then what happened?

– «I don’t know myself. From that moment on, I have a black hole in my memory. I try to remember and nothing comes out. I remember waking up in this room. However, the fact remains. I will have to answer for that.

– Yes. I did not know you had such a problem. This is serious. Vova thought about it. Dawn was breaking outside the window. The night passed unnoticed, and with it our days. I did not notice how they flew by. I heard a commotion in the corridor. The nurse was engaged in cleaning, the nurse woke up patients for procedures. – You looked into her eyes, and no one dares to do that. – You touched her! How dare you do that? It cannot be fixed. Even I am not sure of myself anymore. And I don’t know if I can help you. But I will do my best for this.

A new day was coming, but I was not sure that I would live it to the end. My friend was vigorously packing his bag. I was not happy about the new day, and I wanted to spend these days again with this new friend. I was afraid to be alone.

– «It’s too early. I will not be leaving here until tonight. You will just have to survive the night. My friend tried to persuade me like a little child. – Why don’t your friends come to you?

– They have business, or they are afraid. They also experienced some part of the nightmare with me. They also install an obelisk. They found out the name quite recently when they came to me. And I do not know why, maybe there is another reason to top it off, I said. I lay down on the pillow and closed my eyes. – I would like to bring everything back. I lay there and dreamed about how I was flying home. I was remembering my past, my happy days. I realized how I did not have time to live my happy life.

– What can be the case when a friend is in such a state, and it is their fault that you are here? They brought trouble on you, and they did not look after you well. If they had behaved with dignity, they would not have brought her wrath on your head.

My friend’s words brought me to my senses. However, I did not know how to fix it all. – You know, you are right, but I will have to answer.

– You answered in full. In addition, your torment is over. We drank coffee and met the dawn.

I looked at Vova’s thoughtful face. He was not as confident as he used to be, and he did not want to go home.

– Listen, I will stay with you until the hospital closes. I hope nothing happens to you overnight. Moreover, early in the morning, as soon as the hospital opens, I will come for you.

It became easier for me to make such a decision, and I did not relax for a long time. My friend acted nobly, trying to protect an unfamiliar person. After all, he could have suffered from me, along with me.

– That is how I happened to meet someone like you in my life! He said these words with such enthusiasm that I felt uncomfortable. What is wrong with me?

– Don’t you understand? You are the chosen one. You were chosen, and you were able to get into the other world. Not everyone succeeds.

– Yes, but it’s better not to get there. It is impossible to get out of there. This world sucks in like a whirlpool.

– «But you and your friends got out.

– My friends do. I am not sure. She is here. I saw her. My friend tensed, and said nothing. On the contrary, he began to look closely at everything.

– You tell me about the slightest suspicion. Ok? I made it clear in agreement. I was calmer from the fact that someone believes me.

– Thanks, friend. I said these words with sincerity. In addition, my friend gave me a friendly nod in response.

The doctor came and confirmed my friend’s discharge. After examining me, he was very surprised that I began to look so good in such a short time.

– This cannot be happening. Where are your scars? It’s magic. We need to call the manager.

I did not notice my changes and went to the mirror. In the reflection, I saw a perfect face, without the slightest damage. The gray hair was gone, only a glimmer remained. – How is this possible? I touched my face with my hands; I was young and beautiful as before. It was another sign. The head was waiting for me in the ward. She examined me carefully.

– I do not understand anything. How is this possible? With injuries like yours, this does not happen. We need to create a consultation immediately. The doctor came out. We were left alone.

– Listen, I do not like your appearance either. I think I will stay with you until tomorrow.

– How is that possible?

– I will hide. Everyone will leave. In addition, I will stay in the ward. The only thing is that today is the evil sister. She will flit around, but I will figure something out. I have the right to be here until five.

– I will be glad if you stay. And tomorrow? What should I do tomorrow? You see, they want to create a consultation; they will not let me go so quickly.

– You need to buy a ticket and get out. You have a passport. Forget about things and everything else. Let us buy a ticket. This was my third attempt to escape. We went online and booked a ticket for tomorrow. It remains to survive another crazy night. I informed my sister that this time I would definitely fly home. My sister was waiting for me. I felt how much she needed me and it made my heart heavy.

It was lunchtime, and we left the ward. The hallway was busy. There were new arrivals. I looked at these people as living beings. I have not been out for a long time, and I have not been in mass gatherings of people. I was tired of it and at the same time, I felt that I was among the living. It was very important to me. Vovan was animatedly telling me about a woman with big buttocks in a funny robe. A flirtation ensued between them, and he clearly did not want to leave this institution anymore. It was funny to watch them. They were clearly worth each other.

– These are the forms! He kept repeating. I was amused by his phrases, and a smile appeared on my face. I laughed heartily.

We returned to the ward, and this room made us sad. This ward has ceased to be a refuge. We both wanted to get out of here.

– Let’s go to the corridor!

– Come on!

As soon as we stepped towards the door, our ward was covered with ice. Ice covered everything, walls, floor, ceiling, interior, and the front door.

– It is for me.

– I get it. Now what?

– I do not know myself. My friend ran to the door and started calling for help.

– Help.

The door opened, and the ward took on the appearance as if nothing had happened. Everything happened every second. My friend and I were standing there looking ridiculous. A nurse with a medical bandage on her face opened the door. She did not look me in the eye, but I could see that she was angry with the two of us.

– What is going on here? You two are running around the hallway. Now you are yelling. It is a quiet hour now. She slammed the door, and I heard her quick footsteps.

– I told you she was evil.

– But she saved us.

– That is for sure.

We were still standing in disbelief. – And now what?

– Let’s get out of here into the corridor. It is safer there.

– «Now I’ve dragged you along with me.

– This is who is dragging whom. A friend jokingly said. I did not attach much importance to these words. – We should have survived the night.

– Do you think that it is all over, I will fly away, and everything will be chocolate? No. Do not support me as if I am dying. I am actually dying, and it is going to be over soon. You saw it. What are you going to tell me?

Vladimir stood at a loss, not knowing what to say to my outburst of emotions. – I believe that we will succeed. You have a chance to escape.

We went out into the corridor and breathed a sigh of relief. We had the feeling that we had escaped from prison. I was a little surprised that my friend was not scared, and did not react in any way to what he saw. I got the impression that this was not the first time for him, and I began to be afraid of him from that moment. My intuition told me that it was time to stop trusting him. I gave no sign of my premonition and kept the mask on. The corridor was lively, despite the sleepy hour. Vova was looking for a new patient with curvy shapes. He sat down on the windowsill and waited for her appearance.

Time passed slowly. It was still light outside and I was looking at the excitement created by people running about their business. I leaned my forehead against the glass and closed my eyes. In a short moment, I remembered my whole life, starting from my childhood, and up to today. I remembered how I flew here to my grandmother, and she read the very fairy tales that came to life and turned my life into a nightmare. I loved coming here, I loved playing with my friends who were in hell with me, and they managed to get out. I remembered my last dinner with my sister and I wanted to go back there, to the life, I did not live. I was so drawn to the past. And here I am, and I do not know how long I have left to live? What if I actually have a chance to escape? I thought, and began to imagine this salvation, my return, dinner with my sister, a beer bar with friends. I did not have a girlfriend, and I would like to have one, but I never made an effort to create a relationship. I had a taste for life, and I wanted to live.

– Let’s go for a walk. I am tired of sitting and waiting. We walked down the corridor, went in for a smoke. – Well, are you ready for a new life?

«Which one?» Beyond the grave? To be honest, I do not know. I used to dream about it, now I do not. I have changed my mind, I said with a grin. My friend also said this question with a grin. In addition, I did not like his smile. He just started to annoy me, maybe from nervous overexertion, maybe I was just tired and I rather wanted to get out of here. I felt that something was wrong here.

– I was just asking. I do not know what kind of life awaits you in the future. I am not a psychic. I hope for your best outcome.

– Thank you. I said nervously, finishing my cigarette.

– You cannot smoke here. That voice sounded familiar to me. Alternatively, maybe I really just overextended myself. I saw an angry nurse running towards us and shouting angrily.

– She will not leave us alone.

– That is for sure. Let us go to the ward.

– «Are you sure?»

– Yes. I am sure. We went into the ward and closed the door. I sat down on the bed; my friend walked around the room and said that he needed to go out into the corridor. There is that woman in the funny robe. I wanted to go out with him, but I did not dare, I did not want to be superfluous. I was surprised that he left me alone. This has never happened before. – So my friend betrayed me, I thought. Alternatively, just fight, it is more logical. Coward. I thought. Although he may be right, he should not risk, much less his life. My friend went out and I was left alone. I could hear his footsteps receding as my heartbeat increased. I got out of bed and went to the window. Watching the darkness fall.

– Here comes the night, although it is not yet five o’clock.

– «You’re right. A nurse came into the room and took off the bandage. Our eyes met, and I fell senseless.

His sister’s tear-stained eyes looked at me. I saw in them pain, trust, naivety, and purity of soul. If I admit it, I was ashamed to lie to this man. But I had to do it.

– Tell me; tell me everything as it was. How did he die? Why? How did my brother die? Under what circumstances. I did not know how to start. And most importantly, I didn’t know how to finish my story.

I started from the moment when he was brought in at night in a terrible state. – His face was ugly, and I thought he was cut with a knife. We became friends, and he told me everything from the very beginning, how it all started, to the last moment. Then we became friends, and he told me everything from the very beginning, how it all started, to the last moment. He told me a lot. It took three days. He mentioned you very often; he was very worried that he could not see you. His sister was sitting in a helpless state, and I could not comfort her.

– You should definitely tell me everything. I need to know.

– I will not argue. I will definitely fulfill your request. I did not save my friend, but I got a chance to take care of his sister.

– I will be very grateful to you. He did not tell me anything about you.

– I probably did not have time. On the other hand, just did not have the energy and time.

We were sitting in the visitors’ room, and just at that time, his friends came up. They were not looking at me in a friendly way, and I knew why. I pointed at my sister with my eyes. They understood everything and translated the topic.

– We have not been able to establish the data of Konstantin, and the grave is still not closed. The data is not reliable.

– How so. He told me that name himself. I remember that. The sister got excited and sat back down on the chair. – What now? She began to sob. «That’s why he’s gone. His soul was taken away. In addition, the morgue said it was a stroke. It is not a stroke. This is different.

The friends stood in silence. – They could not say otherwise. It is a stroke. He just suffered a lot. I was freezing too much, and now. He also had a constant headache from nervous overexertion.

– Yes, I remember that too. I could not stand it and asked Vladimir, «How did you end up in the hospital at that time?» In this room? In addition, what really happened?

– I stayed to protect him, but I went out, and the nurse came in and he was already lying dead. It is a stroke.

– Something does not add up.

– Stop talking about it. I need to bury my brother. And to honor his memory.

– There is already a ready-made grave in the cemetery. When we were busy for an unnamed grave, and found out about its outcome, we also made a fuss. There is already a ready-made grave; it is next to the nameless one.

– Wow, what a coincidence. Vova sat in silence and did not delve into the conversation. The friends who came drilled him with their eyes. The sister did not understand what the matter was. – We have to go. We need to take the body from the morgue and bury it.

– Rely on us. We will arrange everything. We will not abandon you. One of her friends took her by the arm and led her. We all set off together.

– Oh, my little brother, he could not fly away. What a sad fate he has.

– Yes, to buy a ticket three times and not fly out, it is really fate. If he had not run away that night, then maybe nothing would have happened.

– Who knows? Maybe it is really fate. We all fell silent and reached the morgue.

– Vova, will you go with us to the end, or will you leave us?

– I will leave you later. Now I will go to the end.

– How can I find you? I want to hear his whole story. I do not know everything.

– You do not know only the latest events. I will find you and tell you everything I know. One of my friends was looking at me from under his forehead, and he almost attacked me with his fists I gave no sign, and stood aside. I did not like this story myself, but I could not change anything about it.

The body was taken out of the morgue and taken to the funeral service in the house of God. There was a deathly silence at the funeral service, Vova, for some reason of his own, did not enter the temple. -«My God, what’s wrong with his face?» He was cut with a knife?

– We do not know. Only he knows about it. And pointed in the direction of Vova. – What about the nameless grave now? Only your brother knew the full details of the deceased. He communicated with him in the kingdom of darkness. The sister was tearful and did not really understand what she was talking about.

– It is too early for her to think about it now. Do not touch her.

– No, you are wrong. This passage needs to be closed urgently. If we had done it earlier, it would have been better.

– «They’re right. We need to make an effort and do it right. Vladimir listened to the conversation and stood with a dissatisfied look. Why does my brother look so awful? He is like an elderly battered wanderer. His face and hands took on the same appearance as on the first day in the hospital. His hair was gray. His sister could not understand why, and I could not tell her. – I will not leave here until I erect a monument to my brother.

– You need to get out of here. A friend blurted out. You have small children. Think about them. She will clean you up, too, and we will do everything ourselves. Do not worry. Friends stood up for their sister. I was standing on the sidelines. The sister hesitated. She understood the problem.

– «You’re right. But I have nothing to do with it. She must not touch me.

– We do not know. Therefore, it is better not to take risks. Alternatively, do it in the summer. The nurse sighed heavily.

– I have a feeling that this grave was dug for my brother a long time ago.

– We have the same feeling. But we don’t know. We have not seen her. So many times, they came here, put up a fence. She definitely wasn’t there.

– That’s weird.

– «You’re right. But I have nothing to do with it. She must not touch me.

– We do not know. Therefore, it is better not to take risks. On the other hand, do it in the summer. The nurse sighed heavily.

– I have a feeling that this grave was dug for my brother a long time ago.

– We have the same feeling. But we don’t know. We have not seen her. So many times, they came here, put up a fence. She definitely wasn’t there.

– That’s weird.

– And now what? Will this passage remain open? My brother told me so much about him. I know the danger of this grave. And who will be next? Me? Or one of you? Vladimir stood silently and listened to the dialogue.

– In the course of this question concerns only the three of us. The sister looked at us questioningly. She guessed something, but did not show it. The funeral was over, and we left the cemetery for a memorial lunch in a cafe.

There was a deathly silence at the table, no one dared to break the silence. The sister sat in silence and stared at one point. Victor’s friend and I looked at each other with hateful eyes. I understood his condition, and did not dare to resist his emotions.

– What a ridiculous death my brother has. For what? The sister came out to talk on the phone. The three of us stayed together and broke the silence.

– Tell me how it was.

– She took it. He committed an unforgivable act by touching her. This could not be done in any case. Friends were peacefully silent, and I was waiting for the next question.

– And who are you?

– «You don’t want to know.

– You had better answer it.

– «You can’t do anything to me. I am already dead. I am a resident of Navi. I am immortal. I have moved into this beautiful body and will leave this terrible city. With these words, I got up and left the table.

My sister stayed with Victor’s friends. – When do you plan to leave?

– I do not know. Her voice was gone and she did not have the strength to speak. – Tomorrow it is necessary to go to the cemetery, and then fly.

– It can be done in one day, departure in the evening.

– I want to stay here a little longer.

– It does not make sense. You need to fly. It is dangerous to stay here. Moreover, that grave is not safe.

– He is right. Fly away. We will do everything without you. Their voice sounded convincing that she could not disagree.

– «You’ve convinced me. In the morning, I will go to the cemetery, and in the evening, I will fly away.

– And that is right. We will accompany you to the end. After a short pause, she asked why we dislike his new friend.

– Because it is dark. It is immediately visible. He is smelly.

– I noticed too, there is something wrong here.

– I really wanted to talk to him.

– It is not worth it. Do not collect troubles on your head. Your brother is beyond help. He is dark. That is for sure. The nurse reluctantly leaned back in her chair.

– «I don’t know myself anymore. Maybe it is not worth it. It all happened so fast. I did not expect such a result from this story. On the other hand, we just did not take this adventure seriously. I do not believe there is not one. Her voice was gone and she was wheezing.

– No one took this story seriously. But it happened, and the result is deplorable. Let us take you to the hotel, and tomorrow we will go to the cemetery together. My sister readily agreed, and we left the cafe.

Early in the morning, the car drove up to the hotel. We quickly found a fresh grave of the deceased. My sister stood motionless, and we turned from side to side trying to remember what we had experienced. I froze for a moment.

– What happened?

– Look over there.

– «Where is she?» The sister involuntarily shuddered.

– What happened?

There was no trace of the unmarked grave.

– Where did she go?

– Mysticism continues. I am scared.

– Let’s get out of here. In addition, I headed for the exit.

– Wait. We need to figure it out. We need to go to funeral services. They should know.

– I am afraid. This is not normal. It is a sign. I am leaving this town. It is the city’s fault. It is always winter here. A friend had a tantrum.

– Let’s go together. I am coming with you. This also concerns me.

We politely said goodbye to the fresh grave of a friend, and left the cemetery. In the funeral services, we were told that there were official relatives at this grave, and they decided to reburial it in another city. They had an official permit on hand.

– How is this possible? That is so fast.

– When there are credentials and an official document, everything happens quickly. These words sounded in such a tone that we did not dare to object.

– And what, everything was cleaned up so quickly? And the cross? And the fence?

– What is there to clean up? There is nothing to clean up there? This woman was clearly not suitable for funeral services. And we went out into the street in silence. There were a few hours left before the trip to the airport, we accompanied my sister to the hotel, had coffee with her, and agreed that we would pick her up and take her to the airport.

– That is the nightmare over! We all smiled with relief. No grave, no problem.

– That is for sure. And we will personally install a fence for our friend. We left. The nurse went up to her room.

I found Victor’s sister at the hotel and arranged a meeting for us.

– How good that you came.

– This is our last meeting. You wanted to ask me for details about your brother.

– Yes it is. I looked into the eyes of this girl and did not dare to lie to her. For a moment, I wanted to become her close friend, but I knew that it was impossible.

– What did you want to know?

– The last thing he told me about was the ball. Then he bought a ticket, I was waiting for him, came to the airport to meet him, but he did not arrive. We lost contact, and I find out that he is in the hospital. For a moment, I felt what she felt. And I felt sorry for her. – I just need to know what happened next. What happened? I know there was something. But what? Tell me. You can tell me.

– I know I can trust you. Victor told me everything in detail, as well as the fact that he told you everything. I will tell you what happened. We were sitting at a table in a hotel cafe. And she was waiting for my story.

– Your brother was a wonderful man. He loved you very much. And I blamed myself for not being able to take care of you. Yet, he could not. He could not resist the dark forces, and this force dragged him down. She dragged him to the bottom, and he will not be able to get out of there. He told me how he had been in Mara’s arms. She dragged him away, and whirled in her circle.

– How’s that?

– «He saw his grave with his own eyes. He was lying in his own coffin. He experienced all this while still alive. His sister sat and stared at one point. She did not say a word, so I continued. He went to the cemetery at night in search of her. He was in love with her. He wanted to find her, and he found her. He was in hell. He was with the devils. And none of this would have happened if he hadn’t made a fatal mistake.

– Which one?

He touched her. My sister listened to me with amazement. She understood what I said and understood the whole point of my story. – He was the only one who dared to look into her eyes, and it ruined him. She dragged him to the bottom.

– I understand you. You do not have to continue. She said dryly. We sat in silence. I did not dare interrupt our meeting first. – And who are you? And how do you know all this?

– I am the one who took the place of your grandmother with him. The sister was stunned. So that means…

– Yes. This is true. Now this place is his.

The meeting was over. The girl went to the landing and sat in the airplane seat.