Читать книгу Collection of mysticism. + author’s biography including essays about books - Tsvetana Alekhina - Страница 5

After a while, the whole story was forgotten. In addition, remembered with fear. Those who were eyewitnesses and saw everything with their own eyes were even afraid to mention what they saw, so as not to bring trouble upon themselves. Everyone remembered it in silence, and could not believe what had happened. This story did not fit into my head, and everyone was sorry for the departed friend who so absurdly left this world of the living. Everyone was silent about it, but every breath of wind, a blizzard of snowflakes, and a change in weather conditions did not let them forget. Everyone would like to see a person dear to him or her who has passed away.

The only person who was not afraid to investigate this case was Victor’s sister. She was waiting for the summer to send the children to the camp and fully investigate. Victor’s friend occasionally wrote to her, he casually asked how she was doing. And he didn’t write a word about his late friend. He was afraid to touch a sore subject, and even more, he did not want to bring trouble on the sister of the deceased. Sometimes he asked about the weather. In addition, for fear of looking ridiculous, he stopped the correspondence. My sister treated this correspondence so coldly. She meant nothing to her; she needed this friend as a weapon, nothing more. Moreover, she kept in touch with him. She blamed herself for letting her brother go to the autonomous okrug at this time of year, knowing that he was unable to take care of himself. But she blamed his friends even more for the fact that they were directly involved in what happened. Her head, heart and thoughts were busy with revenge. The illusion settled in her head that she would be able to rescue her brother, and his friend would take his place. She believed that he left by accident, and he could be returned, swapped, as had already happened with their grandmother. This thought did not leave her, and she did not think about anything else. She constantly reread the messages he wrote to her during his stay in Norilsk. She kept them as an important document confirming his innocence, and the saddest thing was that she could not tell anyone about it. It was all so unreal, and she understood her brother when he asked her if she believed him. Now she understood his inner state, but he was no longer there, and this pain from injustice was suffocating her. She felt herself fading away, and waited for her hour, the hour of retribution.

The feeling of revenge settled in Natalia with the arrival of spring. When the heat came, and the snow began to melt. Mourning has passed, winter has passed with it, and the feeling of fear has left her. Instead, she did not notice how she became obsessed and every time before going to bed, when the children fell asleep, she imagined everything that her brother described to her. She firmly decided for herself that she would get there to the kingdom of Navi, not knowing how, but she would get there and see everything that he described to her in his letters.

One day one of my friends started a conversation on this topic. – I wonder how our friend is now.

– You are interested, you go and see. I do not want to go back there and go through all the things I have already gone through. I want to forget everything and not touch this topic anymore. These words were uttered with such aggression that Sasha even began to doubt that his interlocutor was grieving for a departed friend.

– Okay, fine. We will not touch on this topic anymore. But do not forget that it was you who became the source of this adventure. It all started with you. These words sounded like a reproach. And the so-called friend changed his face.

– What do you want to say?

– You do not want to touch this topic, so live with it. I will not say anything more. With these words, Sasha got up and left the table. Left alone, Sergei plunged into his thoughts. He himself could not understand why he was considered a cause of disagreement. What did I do? Why me? He did not like the whole story, and especially the fact that everyone blamed him. He did not consider himself guilty, did not want to be responsible for it. He considered this story a misunderstanding, and did not want to be involved in it. Sometimes the idea of selling his apartment, giving up everything and moving further away from this story settled in his head. Nevertheless, he believed that everything had calmed down and there was nothing to worry about. Subconsciously, he felt a sense of fear, rather than a sense of guilt, suddenly history would repeat itself, and with it, the horror he had experienced. What then? Who will be next? He firmly decided for himself that if he did not move out of this city, then he would never find peace.

Sasha was a closer friend and he, like the deceased’s sister, had no peace. He did not tell anyone about it, but he also wanted revenge. He did not know how, but he was ready for it. The feeling of revenge clouded his mind, and became stronger every day. Along with the feeling of revenge, which he carefully concealed, there was a feeling of love for the sister of his best dough, which he hid no less carefully than the feeling of revenge. This feeling woke up in him as soon as he saw her, at that moment he had not realized it yet. After she left home, the friend realized that he was hopelessly in love and harbored the hope that they would certainly meet again. He was afraid to admit it to her, because not much time had passed since mourning. He was also afraid of being rejected and looking ridiculous in front of a woman like her. He wanted to pick up the keys to her and become the one that every man dreams of being.

One day Sasha wrote a message asking how she was doing, and in between wrote, «What is not justice, how he regrets that his friend left this world in a timely manner, and left unjustly. He received a reply to this message very quickly.

– I think so too! You agree with me, so I have an ally.

After receiving an answer to this message, my heart began to beat furiously, and my legs gave way. First, we switched to you, it meant a lot to me. Secondly, I became her ally, so we have a common goal, and I have a chance to get closer to her. I was willing to do anything to get close to her. I was like a faithful dog, ready to do her any errand, just to prove my loyalty and devotion to her. Besides, I really wanted to avenge my friend. I could only wait for the mistress of my heart to give the first order, and I would carry it out.

Natasha, having received a signal that her gun was ready for battle, was waiting in the wings. She was waiting for the summer to send the children to the camp, and she had already thought everything out. She decided to act just like her brother. Go to the cemetery, find the very grave that was reburied. She decided that this was how she would get into the realm of the dead. Forgetting that summer is almost here, and the grave has been gone for a long time.

The day of departure was approaching. Unaware that Sasha harbors feelings for her and not just harbors, she thought that he was just as obsessed with revenge as she was, she asked where she could stay, since she was unable to pay for a hotel. Their correspondence has intensified since the day they had a common idea. Alexander, who did not dare to settle this woman at home, rented an apartment for her and gave it to his, in which he does not live. Natalia gladly accepted such an invitation, and without even thinking, she was obsessed with revenge, and completely trusted her brother’s friend.

On one of the beautiful summer days, the plane left Voronezh airport and landed in Novorossiysk. Alexander had been waiting for this day all this time, and could not believe that this day had come. Their friend, on the contrary, could not understand this arrival, and was not happy. He felt the danger, he was shaking with fear from the inside, and he wanted to run further as fast as possible. He had already found a buyer for his apartment, quit his job and was waiting in the wings. Everyone was waiting in the wings, but not everyone had the same desires.

– Why will she come?

– To her brother’s grave.

– «These graves are nothing but trouble. Her brother’s fate is not enough for her. Is she not afraid to fly here?

– Why are you so worried?

– I am not worried. I am afraid. You know, I am scared. Understand me. Alexander saw the panic in his friend’s eyes, and he felt sorry for him, he understood him.

– Don’t worry, I will not leave you. You are leaving this town soon. There are two or three days left, and you will fly away.

– I do not know. Sergei said with sadness in his voice. Alexander felt sorry for the poor person who was so nervous about this story. Maybe he is not to blame for anything. He thought, coming out of the entrance. Well, just think, I laughed at a fairy tale, with whom it does not happen. And not everyone is so stress-resistant, he did not survive this shock so easily, and I didn’t even think about it. I was on my way to the airport to meet Natasha and for some reason I was thinking about Sergei. About his shock, about his stress. Maybe he is right to leave this city. With these thoughts, I arrived at the airport. My heart was pounding wildly, from the fact that I would see her again.

Natalia came so close to me, unaware of my feelings, that I could barely restrain myself. She got off with a light greeting, and we left the airport. Despite the mourning she had to go through, she looked good. I brought her to her apartment, while we were driving she was silent all the time, and I did not try to break the silence. Even her silence was precious to me, I knew what she was thinking and that was enough. I brought her to her home and left her alone, deciding not to bother her with my guardianship. I took care of her arrival in advance by buying groceries and cooking some food. Natalia was extremely surprised by such hospitality, but she took everything for granted, and I was very pleased that she accepts my care. We agreed to meet tomorrow morning and talk about everything.

In the morning I came to her, she looked quite fresh. I looked at her furtively, afraid to attract attention. She was looking out of the window and already her whole being was there in the realm of darkness. – Do you think there is a chance to save him?

Despite the fact that we were both obsessed with revenge, we had different concepts about this word. I understood that my friend was dead, and his body was at rest. I just wanted his soul to find peace, to punish the guilty. I could not tell her that he would not be with us anymore; I put it off for later and turned the conversation around.

– We will do our best. I will do everything that depends on me. I am waiting for your orders, and I rely on you in everything. Natalia broke into a wide smile and her eyes sparkled. I liked this sign and I had a chance to win her heart.

Natalia did not consider Alexander as a candidate for a husband. She was glad of such a reception, he eased her difficulties and was ready for anything, and that was what she needed.

– To begin with, we need to go to the cemetery and see what is what. Grave grave of my brother in what condition and in what condition is the unmarked grave. Then we need to figure out how to get into the world of Navi. If it does not work out, then we need to find Victor, he knows how. Just where to look for him?

– «I’m going to have to disappoint you a little. This Victor, I have been following him for some time, he left Russia, and now lives in a warm country. It is just as if he said.

Natalia’s eyes widened in surprise. – He talked about warm lands, but I did not think it would be another country. Now what?

– Now everything is on its own. We will think, try, and do. In addition, you and I will succeed. Natalia smiled sweetly and plunged into her thoughts again.

After finishing our coffee, we arrived at the cemetery, where Sergey was waiting for us. He politely greeted me and said that this was his last visit to the cemetery, and that, out of respect for a friend, after tomorrow he was flying to live in another city. Natalia looked at him sideways. I could tell by her look that she disliked him, but she was politely silent. We headed to the grave without feeling fear, as it was in winter. It was summer now, it was warm and bright, and nothing spoke of the horror that we once experienced. The grave was not so well maintained, but everything was in order. Everything was as I promised his sister on the day of her departure. From the nameless grave, there was only one plain, just an empty place. My sister looked at this place with sadness, and we left the cemetery.

– And now what?

– Nothing. It does not matter to you. You are flying away anyway. Fly. You did not want to talk about it anymore.

– Yes, you are right. Goodbye. With these words, Sergey got into the car and drove away.

– What does all this mean?

– Nothing. It is just that he and I have not been getting along for a long time. Do not pay attention.

She did not say anything. But I realized that she understood everything.

– What are we going to do now? She asked me a question, and I was at a loss myself.

– I do not know. You and your brother have more experience in this matter. Therefore, I will completely and completely trust you.

– Okay, then we will come here at night, and we will act according to my brother’s method.

– Okay, then let us go from here, have a coffee and I will take you to your place.

We were drinking coffee, and I was furtively looking at my friend’s sister, afraid to show my feelings for her. His sister thought of nothing but her brother. – I wish I could find that Victor now, how I could have been so mistaken in him. I must have been out of my mind at the time. For some reason, I considered him our friend.

– It is worth forgetting about it. We will do without him. What are you planning to do all day? I would like to show you the city. She reacted so coldly to my invitation, and yet she accepted it. After finishing my coffee, I arranged a small tour of the city for Natalia.

Evening was coming, and I casually offered to have dinner in a small cafe. She accepted this offer with pleasure, thereby giving me pleasure. Every moment I spent with her was precious to me. We sat in silence waiting for the order.

– Aren’t you afraid to go to the cemetery at night?

– No. I will be scared if it does not work out.

– Me too.

After dinner, I drove her to the apartment, saying that I would pick her up around eleven o’clock. Exactly at midnight, we came to the cemetery. We came to the place where there was an unmarked grave. After standing there for a while, Natasha went to her brother’s grave. I followed her in silence. She sat down on a bench and waited, leaning her face on her palms. I stood aside and watched. The moonlight illuminated her face, and I admired her beauty. Exactly an hour has passed since we were in this place. I did not dare break the silence and stood rooted to the spot. Finally, she got up and headed for the exit without looking back.

– Where are you going?

– Home. She replied sharply.

– What happened?

– Don’t you see, it is all for nothing. It is all nonsense. Everything that happened, it had to happen, and we cannot fix anything.

– Maybe you are right. But we still have time and something may work out.

– Let’s go home. I want to sleep. I accompanied her to the apartment, and not daring to ask if she was afraid to spend the night alone, I left after standing for a while.

In the morning, we went to see off our friend Sergei. We may have seen him for the last time. Sergei looked me over. We managed to talk in private.

– What do you think I do not see anything? Why did you contact her? Run away from her, from this city, run further from here. They will drag you away, too. Winter will come and what will you do? I grinned back.

– I will figure it out.

We headed for the landing. And at the last moment he turned around and said a few words.

– And if you really want to go to hell, then remember how we ended up there. We need to go to the grandmother’s grave. With these words, he went to the landing and we did not see him again.

After standing for a while, I broke the silence, «and he’s right. So, what is on Grandma’s grave? She smiled sweetly, «yes, at midnight!

At midnight, we arrived at the cemetery again. This time I was leading her to the grave, we stepped over the fence. Natasha carefully examined the photo of her grandmother. – I came to her for the first time. I was silent and did not say anything in response. It seemed to me that I was about to end up in hell. In a clearing covered with moss. I was remembering all the things I had to go through. And while I was remembering, I didn’t notice how I ended up in this clearing covered with moss. Everything was just as if it used to be when I was here for the first time. I looked around sharply, wanting to see my beloved next to me.

– I am here. I breathed a sigh of relief.

She was looking around as if she was trying to see something.

– What are you looking for?

– Nothing. Just looking. It is exactly as he told me. He described to me in detail each of his visits here. – Now we need to find him, no matter what.

We began our march through the underworld. Deep down, I did not really want to do all this anymore. Her, his sister occupied all my thoughts, feelings, and desires. I wanted to confess my love to her as soon as possible and get the desired answer, but I saw that it was too early, and I continued my walk with her through the underworld.

– It is so deaf here. I have a feeling that no one lives here. Does not inhabit.

– Me too. What should we do?

– If we got here, then we have a chance, it is worth a walk. I think we will definitely run into someone. When I was here, it was completely different. There was magic here. Witchcraft. Now is probably just not the time.

– Not the time. Exactly. Now is not the time. I got it this is not Mara’s time. Its summer and she is not in her rights. Therefore, we can walk here in vain.

– No. If we got here, then it is not for nothing. I did not notice myself how I objected to her, and to my surprise, she did not say anything in response. Let us move on. We went on, and the clearing led us to the same abandoned forest. I remembered how I once drank a drink here, prepared by his grandmother. My sister looked at me questioningly, and I nodded my head in agreement. We went on without asking each other unnecessary questions. Our journey turned out to be a long one and eventually we came to the bridge that I once crossed with her brother. This time I looked at her, and she looked at me. I took her hand, and she did not push mine away. A shiver ran through my whole body and I started shaking.

Despite the fact that we were in the underworld, we did not feel cold, maybe I was shaking from touching Natalia’s hand, but her hands were hot. The bridge was still guarded by the same three-headed serpent. And as soon as we stepped on it, we found ourselves in the cemetery, on the grave of our late grandmother.

Dawn was coming, and we headed for the exit. We looked at each other and understood each other by the look. Getting into the car, we breathed a sigh of relief and headed to Natasha’s apartment. This time we had coffee in her apartment, and she did not mind my presence. Oh, if only she knew about my feelings for her. I made my way to her on tiptoe, as if to the most cherished desire, and every day I got closer.

– I understand that we only have time from midnight to dawn. So we will run tonight!

– I agree! Let us run, and then let us run! Natasha smiled happily and went into the bathroom without saying a word. I was looking forward to her return. She came out of the bathroom and offered me a shower. I did not expect such an offer and delicately declined.

– You must be tired. If you want to stay here. After all, you will drive a place. I wanted to stay so much, but I did not dare, and I did not even refuse. I hardly left this apartment, promising to call and come to dinner together in the evening. She promised to cook dinner, and I was looking forward to the evening.

I arrived at the appointed time, having bought dessert for tea on the way. We had a great dinner and started dessert. During the tea party, I casually asked her what she was going to do when she got home.

– Nothing. Continue to raise children. I have two children. I will get back to my life. To my work. I will just calm down and my brother’s soul will be avenged.

– What is avenged in your concept?

– I have to meet him and find out everything. If this mysticism happened to him, then something is wrong. If there is an opportunity to find out and fix everything, then it should be done.

– I agree with you. I think so too. We bumped into each other with tea and, having finished, headed for the exit.

We ran to the cemetery as if it was our meeting place. We did everything together, as if we were twins. I loved it, and I wanted so much to know how she felt about me. Stepping over the grave fence in due time, we immediately found ourselves in the same clearing. As soon as we got there, we got to our feet and ran. When we reached the bridge, we made an abrupt stop and looked at each other, took a decisive step onto the bridge and ran forward, gaining speed. To our surprise, the snake did not pay attention to us, perhaps we did not pose a danger to him, or were welcome guests. After running across the bridge, we stopped and looked back. It was not like before, and it was not like a few minutes ago.

Nothing was visible. A thick and dark fog covered everything that was left behind. There was nothing to see ahead either. We could only wait. After waiting a bit, we continued on our way without looking. We did not know where we were going, so I took her hand. I did not feel that she was worried. It seemed to me that I was more worried than she was. I was remembering a route that we were following now. And I was uneasy, there should have been abandoned houses here. Only no one lived in them in winter, and in summer, it was not known what was going on in these houses.

– Are you sure you want to continue on your way?

– Yes, I do.

– Do you know that we may not come back?

– Where does this information come from?

– Here, not far away, there is a dwelling of Koshchei himself. Do not laugh, but it is true.

– And how long is this dwelling nearby?

– I do not know, but somewhere here. And it looks scary.

We made a stop, and froze in anticipation. The fog abruptly disappeared, and we found ourselves inside a room. After a quick look around, I realized that this is Koshchei’s dwelling. Quickly taking Natasha by the hand, I wanted to hold her, as close to me as possible, but it did not work out. She just stayed close.

– I know where I am. Do not protect me.

I felt uncomfortable with my actions, and I did not relax my hand freely, but she did not let go of mine and it turned out that I was under her care. Koshchei’s dwelling resembled an abandoned treasury. It was like an underground crypt, where mostly skulls were located. The exterior of this dwelling did not correspond to the interior. These skulls were lying on the chests, the chests were closed, and it looked like they were being guarded, but it is not known from whom. This darkness and the smell of damp earth created an already depressing atmosphere. The owner himself was not in sight, but my heart had a premonition of something wrong. From the look of it, I realized that this is a storage room, and the main chambers are further away.

– I wonder why we are here.

– They want to decorate the chests with us. What is not clear?

– If we are here, then he knows that we are here.

– It makes sense.

– Yes, but that is not why I came here. I need my brother.

– It makes sense. How do we get out of here?

– It is time for us to wake up already. Why is everything so difficult? How do we find him?

– «I don’t know. We resolutely stepped forward, hoping to find a way out. The door was locked, and I was seized with horror, I realized that we were trapped. I did not like this turn of events at all, and I already regretted contributing to these events. I was no longer interested in revenge, my beloved’s life was dear to me, it was a pity that she did not know about it.

Natalia began to knock on the door in desperation. The door was so thick that it seemed to me that no one could hear us from outside. It was completely dark, and Natasha herself snuggled up to me this time. – I do not want to die like this, no one will know about me, no one will find me, and I will not see my brother.

– «I don’t think you’re going to die. And your brother will find us himself.

– Do you think so?

– I am sure of it. There is also magic here. It was like that. Now when we were here with your brother, your grandmother found us and saved us. I managed to calm her down, even though I was scared myself. After sitting here for a decent amount of time, I realized that we would not get to the top as before, probably, the period simply did not work here. We were captured by Koshchei.

We stood pressed against the door in the hope that the door would open. And so our expectations were met, the door opened, and we found ourselves in another room, it was like a guest room. Clean and barely light, the black sun that shone through the windows created the lighting. This light was catching up with an icy fear. Natalia and I were standing with our backs pressed against each other and holding hands.

– What a love! I shuddered at the sound of that vile voice. It is the worst thing I have ever heard in my life. – The prey came by itself! I did not have to wait long. And I didn’t have to work! Your skulls will be a gorgeous attribute for my palace in the Halls. First, you will serve me. With these words, he snapped two fingers, and we found ourselves in the ice palace, the very one in which the ball was held. Natasha curiously began to examine the walls of the palace. It seemed to me that she was not even scared. I was afraid to let go of her hand, it seemed to me that as soon as I let go of it, I would immediately lose it.

The palace was just as icy. Like that day. It was empty, and this emptiness was terrifying. I remembered myself looking at this ball through a crowd of ghosts, and then I was not as scared as I am now. Now I was standing in the center of the hall, as the main character. – Well, at least someone would show up. I said in a barely audible voice. I was afraid to even breathe. I began to understand what my friend was going through at that moment. My beloved was silent; her eyes were dull and sad. I did not know how to help her.

– Lets run away from here. I did not expect to hear this from her.

– How?

– I do not know how. But our stay here is pointless. If we do not find him, then accordingly we may not return.

– It makes sense. What are the options for escape?

– First let us go to the exit, and then we will see.

We headed for the exit, and nothing prevented us. We went down the steps. We headed in the direction I remembered.

– That is weird. I remember for sure that our grandmother said that Mara Marena spends the summer in her halls, and in winter comes into her own and rules where she wants. Why is there no one here?

– I am interested in another question. I have a suspicion that now is not the time and perhaps there is no ice bridge to cross to the other side. If there is not one. We will stay here until either winter or forever. These words horrified my interlocutor. She was weaker than her brother was. Or her brother was so in love with this goddess that he was ready for anything. While I was thinking about this topic, we actually reached the place where the bridge should have been, but it was not there. White silence surrounded us. And we realized that we were trapped.

– What now? I said faintly.

– Let’s go back to the palace. Let us wait for further developments. Someone, but has to show up, or I will call them myself. I liked her determination, and I was proud of my companion.

Мы вернулись во дворец, но там уже было все не так, когда мы покинули его. Был накрыт обед, а ее брат подавал на стол. Я не мог разглядеть чем питаются боги, посуда была слишком старомодная, но это было что-то необычное. Само то, что он здесь, решило все наши проблемы. Наташа оживилась и хотела пройти в зал. Я остановил ее, еле удержав.

– It is crazy to go to them during lunch. Let us wait.

– What? They will then disappear.

– Do you think they do not know we are here? We still have everything ahead of us. This will be known when we get out of here.

– «You’re right. With bitterness in her voice, she said. Let us watch. Vladimir did not leave the table, and served with such joy that his sister was not clever. —I did not know he was really so obsessed with this kingdom. He wrote to me in messages that he was bewitched by this goddess, but not enough to settle here and serve her. I didn’t lafe his words seriously.

– Yes, I did not expect it either. He took your grandmother’s place.

– Maybe we came here for nothing. I do not think I can get him out of here.

– Let’s at least just talk, and he should help us get out. Natasha silently agreed.

We were waiting for the end of dinner, but as soon as it was over, they disappeared, along with the table and all the contents.

– How is this possible? We waited in vain. As soon as we said that, we found ourselves in another room. It was a guest room where everything was ready for the arrival of guests. Sofa, piano, table and drinks. Only we were not the guests, we were made into servants, and we had to serve and clean up the glasses we had drunk. For the slightest mistake, we could be severely punished, we had every chance not to return back, or we could simply serve as an ice decoration of this castle. We came to take revenge, but it turned out that we were the object of revenge. Our only hope was her brother.

Mara Marena herself was not in the spirit, and she was terribly angry about little things. Perhaps it was due to the time of year. Koshchei had all the powers. He was in charge of everything; Mara was not interested in that. Her beauty remained unchanged. She was still beautiful, and a little sad. Koschei was having fun in full; he mocked uninvited guests, and guests who were once captured. It seemed to him that there were not enough of us, and he invited two more ghosts for fun. As soon as they arrived, they immediately started playing the piano. Natasha tried to catch her brother’s eye, but he made it clear that she would not do it again. I was reassured by this gesture, and I was waiting for action from him.

We stood aside with a tray in our hands, not daring to put it on the next table. – I am tired. Not daring to say that I was too, I did not know how to help Natalia. I made a decisive gesture, and putting down my tray, I took her tray in my hands.

– What a decisive gesture. That’s what love means. With these words, my beloved turned into an ice statue. I did not have time to come to my senses as all this happened. Koschei said all this in such an icy and nasty tone, goosebumps ran through me, and I did not know how to save her. I approached her with a tray and tried to examine her face. She was covered in ice, but I could feel her breathing, see the life in her eyes.

Let her go. Take me; send her home, I will stay here instead of her.

– A good offer. I like it. Let us see what you mean to her. With these words, I found myself in her place with a tray in my hands. Natasha took on the same image as if nothing had happened. She came up to me with her eyes full of horror. I was wondering if she had heard the last words or not. Now I myself was covered with ice, I was terribly cold, the ice burned my skin and it seemed to me that I could not hear anything, but no, I clearly heard every word.

– Let him go. I came here for my brother; he has nothing to do here.

– That is right. But, he will stay here. If you do not need him, let him serve me. You should not have come here.

These words hurt me so much that I could not stand it and started crying. Tears instantly melted the ice that covered me, and I found myself upstairs in my apartment. I didn’t have time to understand how all this happened, why was I here alone? I leaned back on the sofa and began to remember everything that happened again, closing my eyes. I instantly fell asleep. I woke up about an hour later with renewed vigor. I remembered all the details that were connected with this incomprehensible story; I remembered how my friend’s tears more than once helped him out in the kingdom of darkness. Now that I had a weapon, I decided at all costs to return my beloved here to the world of the living.

We stayed in the Navi world for exactly a day. It was exactly six hours until midnight and I had time to clean up and get to my destination. My car stayed there at the city cemetery, I took a shower, drank coffee and a sandwich, called a taxi and left.

I walked so fast that I went far from the right grave. Noticing this, I began to return and did not notice how I plunged into the fog. This fog filled me with wild horror, the thought flashed through my head that I might suffer the same fate as my friend. His last agony began just like that, with the fog in the cemetery. I remember all the details that he managed to tell us. I slowed down and stopped, I did not see any point in going any further, as the fog was not dissipating. There was still time before midnight and I decided to wait. I was shaking all over with fear, although I knew that I still had everything ahead of me.

The thoughts in my head would not let me rest. How is my Natasha? And where is she now? How and where will I look for her? I was getting more and more scared. In addition, I decided to go towards the exit. The fog was not that thick, and by all indications, it was just a weather condition. To make sure of this, I decided to go out on the driveway and see what was happening there. The fog was everywhere, I felt calm. I quickly ran to the grave that connected us with the other world and found myself at the cliff on the other side of which the ice palace was clearly visible. Seeing this, I sat down in unconsciousness. Well, how so? What should I do? I squatted down and tears choked me, knowing that they would only make my situation worse. I realized that I could not get there like this; it was to wait until winter. I did not have that much time, and I was desperate.

– Yes, it is not easy for you. Looking back, I saw a flying package. I was so happy to think that my problem was solved. That this package will solve all my problems. – Help me.

– What?

– Help me get there.

– You want me to solve your problems, so that I would have problems later.

– Sorry, but no. I know your problem. It is not solvable. Almost not solvable. But I can’t help you.

– And who can?

– If only the gods themselves decide to do it. Then they will take you to their place, or give you a hint how to get there. I will not be able to take my head off later if I help you. Although I do not have it anyway. The ghost smiled maliciously and flew away.

I was alone again. My hopes were not fulfilled, and I did not know what to do. Friend, help me out, I thought to myself. I sighed heavily and walked to the edge of the cliff. I looked down and thought what could be there if I was already underground. My foot accidentally slipped and I fell into the abyss. I fell with such fear, and with the same fear, I found myself in the palace. I wanted to take Natasha away from here as soon as possible and run away with her and her children to warmer climes, as Viktor and Sergey did. I already knew what to do, as soon as I found her, I would shed tears and we would end up with her in my apartment. I will tell her everything, about my feelings, about my intentions, that that apartment is not mine and I love her. While I was thinking about it, the winter palace became summer, and I found myself in the thicket of the forest. This was not part of my plans, and I was a little confused. – Ah, these traps, I thought and began to look around. These wilds annoyed me, I did not really want to walk through them, but I got up and went ahead, there was not even a path here, and everything else was accompanied by fog. Having studied Mara as a weather condition, I realized that the fog is she, and she accompanies me. I wanted to know why.

– Will you find out soon? I heard an unpleasant female voice, just as unpleasant as her husband’s did. A shiver ran through my body, and I waited for my fate. I also, like Natalia, did not want to die like this, where no one would know where I was and what was wrong with me. Remembering the fate of my friend, I well-remembered that my friend was guided by feelings and an insane interest in this world. But unlike me, he wanted to stay here, and I didn’t. I did not want to stay here, and I did not have such fanaticism for these Slavic gods I did not believe in their existence until I encountered them in person. I was standing there thinking about it, and she appeared in front of me. It was a beautiful woman in a black guise. One face was visible. Her black eyes looked at me questioningly. —Why did you come here?

– To save his woman. I answered without hesitation. She grinned, and said nothing in response.

– You will have to work hard. Maybe you will get it. These words instilled fear in me, and I did not freely agree, looking at her, I had to agree with her in order to get my own. She looked at me from high up and disappeared, as suddenly as she appeared. I was left alone among these thickets, and waited for my fate.

The fog disappeared. There were not clear outlines of trees around me. It seemed to me that this forest was painted. I began to look around and fell into a green tunnel, I immediately recognized him, and this tunnel was all covered with moss. I was groping in the hope of getting out of it as soon as possible, finally it ended, I went out and two steps away from me was the entrance to the ice tunnel, I realized that I needed to enter it and I entered. He ice tunnel turned out to be slippery, I fell twice, and when the descent began, I sat down and drove like an ice slide. This adventure ended and when I went outside I looked at the black sun, it shone so dimly that I wanted to howl looking at it. I was standing on an icy plain, all alone, however, as always. The only thing I was thinking about right now was she, how she was there. This plain reminded me of a desert, only icy. I had no choice but to wait for the next appearance of the goddess of these halls. I did not feel cold, although I was dressed in summer. My jeans got wet when I went down the icy descent, and created an unpleasant feeling.

The blizzard rose suddenly, and she appeared in front of me again, this time in a white guise with bright blue eyes. She was so beautiful that I forgot about everything and almost touched her. But at the right moment, I remembered the most important mistake of my friend, and abruptly lowered my hand. At that moment, I was able to understand what he experienced at that moment; I am practically experiencing what he experienced.

– Are you ready? Come with me. I took a step towards her. She disappeared into thin air and turned into a blizzard. She immediately picked me up, and I flew with her. At that moment, I realized what I would have to go through, the same as my late friend. We were in the palace. I saw Natasha. She was wearing a black long dress and a black scarf on her head. She looked at me with sad tear-stained eyes and did not say a word. I wanted to go to her, but I could not. An invisible force threw me away, and I heard an evil laugh.

– It is not that simple!

I got to my feet and saw Natasha walking towards the exit of the palace, followed by the souls of the deceased. She became a servant for the ghosts.

– Do you want to save her?

– I want to.

– You were stronger than your late friend was. Go after them. I followed the ghosts and Natasha, hoping to cross paths with her and say a word. No matter how hard I tried to approach her, I could not do anything.

– She is not allowed to talk to you. The spirit whispered softly. If this gets out, she will stay here forever. I shuddered. The spirit flew away from me with lightning speed, and no longer flew up. I accepted what was happening and waited for the right moment. I just needed to get close to her in order to leave these limits and never come back here. Occasionally, she would turn around to look at me. But she didn’t look into my eyes anymore, and her looks were so fleeting, and her eyes were full of sadness. I wanted to hug her so much that I could barely restrain myself.

We have finally arrived. – Where are we? I whispered softly.

– This is the infield of the palace. This is a place for insignificant people like us. We live here.

– And what should we do?

– You are nothing. In addition, your friend will help us clean up the territory for the winter. Everything should be clean here. This garden is especially beautiful in winter. It is always snowing here. These are ice palaces. In the garden, there was not significant garbage, brushwood from a burnt fire, some sawdust, branches from a Christmas tree. Perhaps it was garbage from some holiday, or a ritual not long ago, but I also understood that all this was removed at the click of two fingers, and now it was actually a service, or, more simply, humiliation for such uninvited guests like us.

I sighed heavily, and wanted to join the cleaning, but one of the ghosts stopped me, saying that she would separate us, and we would not see each other again. I sighed even harder. What should I do? I thought. There must be some way out. Yes, it was much easier last time.

– Last time, you were not so in love. I looked around, I recognized that ghost by his eyes when I fell into the abyss. – Love works wonders.

– Tell me, what should I do?

– I would like to, but I cannot. The punishment is too severe. The spirit circled over me and disappeared.

– It looks like everyone here is mocking me. I got angry and knocked over a decrepit wooden table on which there were wooden dishes. One of the cups flew off, a small part of the remaining contents poured out on Natasha, and she suddenly disappeared. I was dumbfounded, and my legs gave way. She disappeared, of course. Suddenly someone took my hand and squeezed it tightly. I realized it was she. Warmth ran through my body, and I instantly found peace.