The entrance to the house cannot evoke a sense of awe.The combination lock was broken and no longer functional, and there were crushed butts of cheap cigarettes underfoot.The elevators are engraved with unintelligible phrases, with the word "Spartacus" appearing as often as a foul language.The buttons of the elevator were full of holes burned by cigarette butts, and hardened chewing gum was carefully stuffed into the holes. The door to the fourth-floor suite matched the entrance to the house: still covered in tattered Soviet-era leatherette, and the cheap aluminum number on it with crooked screws was crumbling.

Natasha hesitated for a moment before ringing the bell.It's ridiculous to come here and expect something.But since I was so confused that I decided to resort to magic, I might as well open the newspaper, turn on the TV, and listen to the radio.Whether it's a formal salon, or an experienced person with a supernatural power holding an international diploma...it's all deception anyway, it's obvious.But at least the surroundings are pleasant, serious people... not such a loser's hangout. She rang the bell anyway.Otherwise, wouldn't it be a pity to spend time on the road.

For a few minutes it seemed that the room was empty, and then hurried footsteps were heard.The typical hurried footsteps of a man in worn-out slippers that almost fell off his feet.The cheap kitten's eyes were suddenly dark, and then the door lock creaked, and the door opened. "Oh, is that Natasha? Come in, come in..." She never liked people who immediately switched to "you."No, she still likes this address herself, but even if it is out of courtesy, it is still necessary to ask for permission. And the woman who opened the door had already pulled her into the room and grabbed her hand informally. At this time, the woman's not young face with heavy makeup showed a hospitable sincerity that was irresistible.

"One of my girlfriends told me that you..." Natasha began. "Yes, I know, I know, my dear." The hostess waved her hand, "Oh, please don't, I'm just about to tidy up the room...or I'll go find a pair of slippers." Barely hiding her disgust, Natasha looked around. The aisle was not very small, but it was full of rubbish and disorganized.The small bulbs under the ceiling were dim, God forbid, 30 watts max, but that didn't hide the general poverty of the room.There were mountains of clothes on the hangers, even moth-infested muskrat winter coats.The oilcloth carpet that had come off from the floor was an inexplicable gray color.I'm afraid the hostess has already planned to tidy up the room.

"Is your name Natasha, girl? My name is Dasha." Dasha was at least fifteen or twenty years older than her.She could indeed be Natasha's mother, but such a mother would make one want to hang herself... Unwashed, matted, matted hair, bright nail polish peeled off her nails, dressed in ruined furniture Clothes, and a pair of sandals lolling on his sockless feet.There's a coat of nail polish on the toes too - goodness, how vulgar that is! "Are you a—witch?" Natasha asked.But I shouted in my heart: And I am—a fool! Dasha nodded, and leaned over to find a pair of plastic slippers from the random pile of shoes.The most idiotic ones ever made by humans - the ones with lots of protruding plastic spikes.This is a favorite of yogis.Part of the plastic studs on the slippers had long since come off, so it didn't add much to the comfort.

"Put on your shoes!" Dasha suggested excitedly. Natasha took off her sandals as if hypnotized.Bye, bye pantyhose.Maybe there will be a pair that lasts longer.Everything in the world—is a hoax conceived by cunning fools.And wise men are somehow subject to this deception. "Yes, wizards," said Dasha, watching her putting on her shoes warily. "I learned it from my grandmother. And my mother. They've all been wizards, and they've all helped people, It's a family tradition... let's go to the kitchen, Natasha, my room is not cleared..." Natasha followed behind the hostess, cursing herself again in her head.The sight of her kitchen proved Natasha's predictions right.There was a mountain of cutlery in the sink and the dining table was filthy.When the two of them entered the kitchen, a cockroach lazily crawled from the table to some gap under the table.The floor was sticky.Of course, the windows hadn't been wiped and washed all spring, and there were a lot of flies on the ceiling.

"Please sit down." Dasha deftly pulled out a small stool from under the table and pushed it to where the guests were sitting—between the table and the convulsively twitching "Saratov" refrigerator. "Thank you, I'll stand for a while." Natasha decisively decided not to sit down.Compared with the ceiling and the table, the small stool made her even more distrustful: "Dasha,...Daria?" "Daria." "Daria, I, actually, just wanted to know..." The woman shrugged. She glanced at Natasha and snapped down the electric kettle. It was probably the only thing in the kitchen that didn't need to be taken out to be cleaned.

"Want to know? So what do you want to know, dear. It's all obvious, there's nothing to hide..." Natasha was suddenly seized by an unpleasant oppressive feeling, as if there was not enough light in the kitchen. Everything dimmed, the morbid beeping of the refrigerator, and the noise of the street not far away all fell silent.She wiped her forehead covered in a thin layer of cold sweat.This is all due to the heat and midsummer.Hot, long subway rides and crowded trolleybuses.But why not call a taxi?She sent the driver away with the car, which was fine.It would be embarrassing to even hint where she was going and why...but why not call a taxi?

"Your husband left you, Natashka," Darya said affectionately, "left suddenly two weeks ago, packed up some small things, stuffed them in a suitcase, and left. No fuss, no noise. Left the car, the house, to that young woman with the black brows who broke you up . . . but you ain't old, girl." This time Natasha didn't even respond to the word "daughter". She desperately recalls what she said to her girlfriend, what she didn't say.Nothing seems to be said about "black eyebrows".Although the woman was indeed dark-skinned and had black hair.Once again Natasha was gripped by a rage that made her lose her mind.

"Why did I leave you? Natashka, I know... please forgive me. I call you daughter, you are a strong woman, used to living with your own mind, but you are all like myself to me Like your own daughter... You two have no children, Natasha, have you?" "Yes." Natasha replied softly. "How could it be? My dear," said the wizard, shaking his head reproachfully, "he wants a daughter, doesn't he?" "Yes, daughter..." "It's enough to have one child," Darya shrugged. "I have five children. The two older sons went to the army. One daughter is married and now has children, and the other daughter is studying." .There is also a young son who is not doing business..." She raised her hand, "Hey, sit down, sit down..."

Natasha sat down reluctantly on the stool, clutching the bag tightly on her knees.She tried to seize the initiative, and said: "Life is arranged like this. I would have given him a baby, but I can't ruin my career because of having a baby." "That's right," the wizard asked no more.She wiped her face with her palms, "This is your freedom... Then do you want him back? Why did he leave? The people who broke up you have already left him... It took a lot of effort. Listen again When he confided, he pitied him, and made some tricks on the bed...Your man is a good man, the kind of man that every woman wants. Do you want him back? Do you still think about it? " Natasha pursed her lips. "yes." The wizard sighed. "You can call him back... yes." Her tone suddenly changed inexplicably, becoming heavy and depressing: "But it's hard. It's easy to get him back, but it's hard to catch him!" "But I still want to." "Girl, each of us has our own magic," Darya said, leaning over the table, her eyes seeming to be fixed on Natasha, "an ordinary woman's magic. You because of you Don’t forget all about your ego and forget about it! It’s okay. I’ll help you. But do it in three steps.” She tapped the table lightly with her fist. "First step. I'll give you a witchcraft. It's no great sin... It will bring your husband back home. The witchcraft will do to bring him back, but not to keep him." Natasha nodded in disbelief.It seems inappropriate to divide witchcraft into "three steps", especially by this woman, and in this house... "The second step... You can't let the person who separated you have a child. If you give birth to a child, you won't be able to keep your husband. So you have to commit a big crime and get rid of that innocent child..." "Why do you say such things!" Natasha trembled. "I don't want to be judged!" "I'm not talking about poisoning the child, Natasha... I just spread my hands like this," the wizard really spread his hands, "After that, I clap my hands again... That's all, all the sins are gone." These. Where did the trial come from!" Natasha was silent. "However, I don't want to bear this crime." Daria made a cross respectfully. "If you want, I will help you. Then you have to be responsible to God!" It seemed that she took Natasha's silence as approval, so she continued: "The third step...you have a baby yourself. I will help you too. It will be a daughter, beautiful and smart, your little helper, your husband's cutie. Then all your troubles will be over. " "Are you serious?" asked Natasha softly, "all this you..." "I tell you," Daria stood up, "if you just say 'yes,' it will be all right. Tomorrow your husband will be back, and the day after tomorrow the woman who broke you up will go and kill the stray seed. I don’t take money from you until you are pregnant. But I will take money after pregnancy, and I will take a lot of money, and I will make it clear now, I swear to God!” Natasha forced a smile. "Then what if I lie to you and don't get the money? Because everything is done..." She suddenly stopped talking.The wizard stared at her silently and fiercely.With a bit of sympathy, as if a mother is looking at an ignorant child... "You wouldn't lie to me, Natashka. You'll see for yourself if it's worth it." Natasha got a lump in her throat.She tries to make a joke: "So, pay according to the actual situation?" "You're such a businessman," Daria said sarcastically. "Who would like a man like you, capable and shrewd! Women are always a little confused... Well,... Let's see. Press three There is a fee for steps." "How many?" "Five thousand." "Why five thousand," Natasha said and stopped immediately, "I thought it would be much cheaper!" "If you want your husband to come back, it can be cheaper. But he will leave again after a while. I will provide you with real help and the right way." "I would love to," Natasha nodded.What happened felt so unreal to her.So, with a swipe of the palm, the unborn baby is gone.One more blow, and she will give birth to a daughter for her beloved idiot? "Are you guilty?" asked the wizard firmly. "There is no crime," Natasha suddenly responded excitedly, "every woman has this crime, maybe some only once! I can bear it, and nothing will happen!" The wizard pondered for a moment, as if listening to something.She shook her head. "Something is going to happen, it seems to be, it will be, girl." "I bear it," Natasha replied suddenly excitedly. "I bear all the crimes. You can think of any crimes. We agree?" The wizard gave her a hard look again, and said disapprovingly: "You can't do this, my daughter...you are talking about all the sins. Who knows what I will lead you to? My own business is also very important." Well, no matter what other people's affairs are...you are responsible before God." "let's discuss it later." "Hey, young man... Confused. It's something they can do to search through the sins of human beings. Every crime leaves its own traces, and judgment follows these traces... All right, don't be afraid. I won't remember other people's sins on your head." "I'm not afraid." At this time, the wizard didn't seem to listen to what she said.She sat there, listening alertly.Then, shrug. "Okay... let's do it. Give me your hand!" Natasha stretched out her right hand in disbelief.Staring at the expensive diamond ring on his hand with trepidation, although it was a bit tight to take it off his hand, but... "Ouch!" The wizard pricked Natasha's little finger quickly and nimbly, and Natasha didn't even feel it.Seeing the oozing blood, she froze for a moment.Daria nonchalantly tossed the sharp, thin medical needles into the unwashed soup dishes that still contained the residue of beetroot soup.This is the needle used to take blood samples in the laboratory. "Don't be afraid, all my things have been sterilized, and they are all disposable needles." "How could you do this!" Natasha tried to withdraw her hand, but Daria grabbed it firmly and accurately. "Stay still, idiot! There are still more piercings!" She pulled a dark brown glass phial from her pocket.The label on the bottle has been washed out, but unfortunately the first two letters "Ha..." can still be guessed.She quickly unscrewed the bottle cap, stuffed the small bottle under Natasha's little finger, shook the bottle, and a drop of blood fell into the bottle. "Some people think," said the wizard contentedly, "that the more blood in a witchcraft, the stronger the witchcraft. That's not true. The blood must have quality, and the amount of blood is not important at all..." The wizard opened the refrigerator and took out a fifty-gram bottle of "Tribute" vodka.Natasha remembered that her driver had somehow called this vodka "resuscitative medics"... A few drops of vodka fell on the little ball of cotton that Natasha was obediently pressing on her little finger.The witch handed the bottle to Natasha. "Drink?" For some reason, Natasha was confronted with the picture of waking up the next morning—on the other side of the city, she was robbed and raped, and she couldn't remember what happened.She shook her head. "Then I'll drink it," Daria put the bottle of "Resuscitative Medical Staff" to her mouth, and sucked the vodka into her stomach, "It's better..., it's very easy. You...you don't have to be afraid of me .I don’t live off racketeering.” The few remaining drops of wine in the bottle also flowed into the vial of witchcraft grass.The witch didn't mind Natasha's curious gaze, and added salt, sugar, hot water from the kettle, and a powder that exuded a strong vanilla smell into the bottle. "What is this?" Natasha asked. "You have a stuffy nose? Vanilla, that's it." The witch handed her the vial. "Take it." "that's fine?" "All right. Let your husband drink it. Can you? You can pour it into tea, you can pour it into vodka, but it's better not to." "But where's the... magic?" "What magic?" Once again Natasha felt a great fool.She almost yelled out of control: "Here is just a drop of my blood, a drop of vodka, sugar, salt, vanilla!" "And water," Darya added.With her hands on her hips, she gave Natasha a mocking look: "Then what do you want? Dried toad's eyes? Golden oriole eggs? Or where should I blow my nose? What do you need? You need those ingredients, Or is it an effect?" Natasha was stunned by her offensive and was speechless.And Daria no longer concealed her sarcasm, and went on: "Dear girl... If I wanted to impress you, I would have done so. Don't doubt. It doesn't matter what's in the bottle, it's who put it in. Don't be afraid, go back. Let Your husband drank it. Will he still come for you?" "Yes...he will come at night, he called and said to take some things away..." she whispered vaguely. "Let him take it away, but you have to give him tea. He will come to get things tomorrow. Of course, if you let him in," Daria sneered, "Okay, only the last step is left Yes. Do you bear the guilt?" "Take it." Natasha suddenly realized that there was not enough reason to laugh at what was said.There's something here that's not funny.The wizard made his wish very seriously.What if my husband really comes back tomorrow... "What you say is what I will do," Daria slowly pushed her hands away.She read like a cannonball: "Red water, other people's disasters, rotten seeds, valiant tribes... What was - no longer, what was never - will not happen... ...Go back to the Infinity. According to my will, according to my command, let everything disappear without a trace..." Her voice was low as an inarticulate whisper.For a minute the wizard's lips quivered slightly.Then, she clapped her hands hard. It looks like the imagination has been stimulated.Natasha seemed to feel a gust of cold wind blowing along the kitchen.Her heart beat faster and she had goosebumps. Daria shook her head, glanced at Natasha, and nodded: "It's over. Come on, my dear. Go home, girl, and wait for your husband." Natasha got up.she asked: "Then... when will I..." "When you get pregnant, you will think of me yourself. I'll wait for you for three months... If you can't wait... please forgive me!" Natasha nodded.There was a lump in her throat.For some reason she now believed in everything Daria had promised... and at the same time she knew perfectly well that after three months, if everything really worked out, she would have to hand over the money with a lot of heartache.There will be a temptation to chalk it all up to coincidence...won't you give the five thousand dollars to this filthy liar?At the same time, she also understands that she will give it.Maybe it will drag until the last day, but the money will come.For she would remember the light touch of those uncared palms and the sudden gust of cold wind that spread throughout the kitchen. "Go," repeated the wizard, somewhat resolutely, "I've got to cook dinner and tidy the house. Go, go..." Natasha walked through the dark aisle, took off her slippers and put on leather shoes with a sigh of relief.The pantyhose seemed to stand the test of time...well, she didn't count on it... She glanced at the wizard, trying to find something to say thank you, to confirm, maybe even to make a joke, of course, if it was a joke... But Darya could not care for her now.The wizard's eyes were wide open, she stared straight at the closed door, rubbing her hands on her chest, she said softly: "Who... who is... who is it?" The next moment the door behind Natasha slammed shut.The aisle seemed to be full of people in an instant: two men grabbed the wizard's hand tightly, and another man rushed to the kitchen. He didn't look around, and seemed to be familiar with the environment.It turned out to be a dark-haired girl standing next to Natasha.Several men were dressed plainly, trying not to stand out: they were wearing the same shorts and football shirts that 90 percent of Moscow's male residents are wearing this summer because of the unprecedented heat.Suddenly, an unexpected and terrifying thought flashed through Natasha's mind. Now this dress is no different from the uniform of a secret agent. "Too bad," said the girl judgingly, looking at Natasha, "how despicable, Natalya Alexeyevna." Unlike the men, she was wearing dark jeans and a denim top.The gemstone pendant of the silver necklace hanging around the neck is shining, and there are several large silver rings on the fingers: all kinds of exaggerated patterns, dragon head and tiger head patterns, winding snake shapes, and some strange Unrecognized letter graphics. "What do you want to say..." Natasha lowered her voice. The girl did not answer her, but opened her handbag, took out the phial, and brought it to Natasha.Then he shook his head threateningly. "Yes!" The young man who rushed into the kitchen shouted from the other side, "It's all here." The man who caught the wizard was relieved, and he spoke in a boring voice: "Darya Leonitovna Romanshova! On behalf of the Night Watch, we announce that you are under arrest." "Which night watchman is it again?" The wizard's voice showed obvious confusion, mixed with fear, "Who are you?" "You have the right to answer our questions," continued the young man, "and any magical act by you will be considered hostile and will be punished by not making any prompts. You have the right to ask about your Obligation, you are found guilty... Garico?" The young man who had entered the kitchen returned.Natasha noticed, as in a dream, that he had the pensive, melancholy face of an intellectual.She's always loved this type of... "I think searches are customary," said Garico, "unlawful sorcery. Third and fourth degree interference with human consciousness. Murder. Tax arrears . . . which, by the way, is no longer our business." Now, this is under the control of the dark power." "You are charged with sorcery, interference with human consciousness, and murder," repeated the man who had captured Darya. "Come with us." The wizard cried out, harsh and terrible.Natasha involuntarily glanced at the fully open door, of course she hoped that the neighbors would come to help, it was naive, but couldn't they call the police? These strange visitors did not respond to the shouts.Only the girl frowned, nodded in Natasha's direction, and asked: "How does she handle it?" "Remove the witchcraft, erase the memory," Garico gave Natasha an unsympathetic glance, "make her feel like she hasn't seen anyone in this room." "Is that the end?" The girl took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket and smoked them leisurely. "Xiaohu, what other plans do you have? She is human, how can she deal with it?" It's not even scary anymore.Dreams, nightmares... Natasha acted as if in a dream.She rushed over, snatched the priceless medicine bottle from the girl's hand, and rushed to the door. She was thrown back.It was as if she was running towards an invisible wall.With a cry, Natasha fell at the wizard's feet.The vial flew out of her hand and slammed into the wall unexpectedly, smashing it to pieces.A viscous, five-colored liquid spilled on the linoleum. "Xiaohu, collect the rest and analyze them." Garico said calmly. Natasha began to cry. No, not out of fear, though Garico's tone left her in no doubt that the memory would be wiped.Then she could only stand on the street, firmly believing that the door of the wizard's house had never been opened to her. She cried as she watched her love flow down the dirty floor. Someone burst into the open door from the landing of the stairs. "Guys, we have guests!" Natasha heard a panicked voice, and she didn't even turn her head to look.This is not necessary.All will be forgotten anyway.Everything was shattered, splattered in all directions like needle-pricked fragments, and flowed into the filth. Forever.