One day Sasha wrote aВ message asking how she was doing, and inВ between wrote, В«What is not justice, how he regrets that his friend left this world inВ aВ timely manner, and left unjustly. He received aВ reply toВ this message very quickly.
– I think so too! You agree with me, so I have an ally.
After receiving an answer toВ this message, my heart began toВ beat furiously, and my legs gave way. First, we switched toВ you, it meant aВ lot toВ me. Secondly, IВ became her ally, so we have aВ common goal, and IВ have aВ chance toВ get closer toВ her. IВ was willing toВ do anything toВ get close toВ her. IВ was like aВ faithful dog, ready toВ do her any errand, just toВ prove my loyalty and devotion toВ her. Besides, IВ really wanted toВ avenge my friend. IВ could only wait for the mistress ofВ my heart toВ give the first order, and IВ would carry itВ out.
Natasha, having received aВ signal that her gun was ready for battle, was waiting inВ the wings. She was waiting for the summer toВ send the children toВ the camp, and she had already thought everything out. She decided toВ act just like her brother. Go toВ the cemetery, find the very grave that was reburied. She decided that this was how she would get into the realm ofВ the dead. Forgetting that summer is almost here, and the grave has been gone for aВ 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 ofВ the beautiful summer days, the plane left Voronezh airport and landed inВ 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 toВ run further as fast as possible. He had already found aВ buyer for his apartment, quit his job and was waiting inВ the wings. Everyone was waiting inВ 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 toВ me, unaware ofВ my feelings, that IВ could barely restrain myself. She got off with aВ light greeting, and we left the airport. Despite the mourning she had toВ go through, she looked good. IВ brought her toВ her apartment, while we were driving she was silent all the time, and IВ did not try toВ break the silence. Even her silence was precious toВ me, IВ knew what she was thinking and that was enough. IВ brought her toВ her home and left her alone, deciding not toВ bother her with my guardianship. IВ took care ofВ her arrival inВ advance byВ buying groceries and cooking some food. Natalia was extremely surprised byВ such hospitality, but she took everything for granted, and IВ was very pleased that she accepts my care. We agreed toВ 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. IВ understood that my friend was dead, and his body was at rest. IВ just wanted his soul toВ find peace, toВ punish the guilty. IВ could not tell her that he would not be with us anymore; IВ 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 aВ candidate for aВ husband. She was glad ofВ such aВ 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 toВ the cemetery, and that, out ofВ respect for aВ friend, after tomorrow he was flying toВ live inВ another city. Natalia looked at him sideways. IВ could tell byВ her look that she disliked him, but she was politely silent. We headed toВ the grave without feeling fear, as it was inВ winter. It was summer now, it was warm and bright, and nothing spoke ofВ the horror that we once experienced. The grave was not so well maintained, but everything was inВ order. Everything was as IВ promised his sister on the day ofВ 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 IВ 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 IВ casually offered toВ have dinner inВ aВ small cafe. She accepted this offer with pleasure, thereby giving me pleasure. Every moment IВ spent with her was precious toВ me. We sat inВ 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.
InВ the morning, we went toВ see off our friend Sergei. We may have seen him for the last time. Sergei looked me over. We managed toВ talk inВ 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 aВ 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 toВ 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, IВ did not really want toВ do all this anymore. Her, his sister occupied all my thoughts, feelings, and desires. IВ wanted toВ confess my love toВ her as soon as possible and get the desired answer, but IВ saw that it was too early, and IВ 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.
IВ arrived at the appointed time, having bought dessert for tea on the way. We had aВ great dinner and started dessert. During the tea party, IВ casually asked her what she was going toВ 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 toВ the cemetery as if it was our meeting place. We did everything together, as if we were twins. IВ loved it, and IВ wanted so much toВ know how she felt about me. Stepping over the grave fence inВ due time, we immediately found ourselves inВ the same clearing. As soon as we got there, we got toВ our feet and ran. When we reached the bridge, we made an abrupt stop and looked at each other, took aВ decisive step onto the bridge and ran forward, gaining speed. ToВ our surprise, the snake did not pay attention toВ us, perhaps we did not pose aВ danger toВ 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 aВ few minutesВ ago.
Nothing was visible. AВ thick and dark fog covered everything that was left behind. There was nothing toВ see ahead either. We could only wait. After waiting aВ bit, we continued on our way without looking. We did not know where we were going, so IВ took her hand. IВ did not feel that she was worried. It seemed toВ me that IВ was more worried than she was. IВ was remembering aВ route that we were following now. And IВ was uneasy, there should have been abandoned houses here. Only no one lived inВ them inВ winter, and inВ summer, it was not known what was going on inВ 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 inВ the hope that the door would open. And so our expectations were met, the door opened, and we found ourselves inВ another room, it was like aВ 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 IВ 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.
