Chapter 4 Chapter 3

Life - what a strange thing. A night and a night ago, I came out of my house young, healthy, and full of strength--other than that, a hapless witch. And half a day ago I stood in the office building of the inspection team—a cripple who lost hope and trust in the future... How everything has changed! "Would you like some more wine, Alyssa?" My squire Pavel looked me in the eye obsequiously. "A little bit." I said, looking intently at the porthole. The plane has already begun to descend at the airport in Simferopol. This old "behemoth" creaked and creaked from time to time, slowly lowering its wings, and the expressions of the passengers were painful and tense.It was just me and Pavel sitting there very calmly... Zaburon himself checked the safety of the flight.

Pavel handed me a tall crystal goblet.Apparently the goblet wasn't from the flight attendant, nor was the full Sautin.It seems that this young shapeshifter is not only serious about his mission.He was going to fly south to see an acquaintance, but at the last minute his flight was canceled and he was diverted to the city of Kherson, and he was ordered to accompany me to Simferopol.The rumors about my relationship with Zaburon have returned to the original track. Obviously, this has reached his ears. "Shall we toast the boss, Alyssa?" Pavel asked.He took so much pains to flatter, it even became uncomfortable.

"Come on." I agreed.We clinked glasses and drank the wine down.The stewardess came over and checked everyone was buckled up one last time, but she didn't even look at us.The spell attached to Pavel can keep us from being noticed, and it works after all.Now even this mediocre shapeshifter is more capable than me... "Anyway, I have to admit," said Pavel after drinking the wine, "our boss treats the players pretty well!" I nod. "But the Lightbringers..." he injected as much contempt as he could into his words, "everyone seems to be a big deal, more individualistic than us!"

"Don't talk nonsense," I said, "it's not true." "Come on, Alyssa!" The wine made him talkative. "Remember the hibernation a year ago? Before the hurricane?" Maybe it's because of that dormancy that I remember him.Shapeshifters usually do menial jobs, so we rarely see each other, except during hard-fought battles, or those rare occasions when patrols are out in force. "Remember." "That...that Gorodetsky. Master, bullshit!" "He's a powerful magician who drains the last bit of energy out of people, so what? Where does he put his power?"

"For your own moral restoration." I closed my eyes slightly, recalling the scene at that time. It was a fountain of light spraying towards the sky, and it was a stream of energy collected by Anton from people.He risked everything, resorted to borrowed power at a risk, and in just a split second, he gained strength equal to or even surpassed that of Zaburon and Gesar. He put all his strength on himself. Moral restoration is the search for the best way out of ethics.The most feared question in the Bright Realm is—don’t cause harm, don’t do things that cause human disasters. "He's a super egoist now," Pavel said insightfully. "Can he protect his girlfriend? Yes. Can he fight us? That goes without saying! But what did he do? Catch All that collected power! Not even a hurricane wants to stop...but he can, he can!"

"Who knows what any other behavior would lead to?" I asked. "But he did as much as any of us could! Like a true Darkbringer!" "If only he'd been on the Sun Watch." "Yes," Pavel said confidently, "what can I do. He was reluctant to part with that power, so he used it on himself. Then he justified himself, saying that all this was for making the right decision... What kind of decision is that? Don't interfere! It's all just - don't interfere! This is our attitude, the attitude of the Dark Emissary." "No more arguing, Pavlusha," I said.

The fuselage jolted as the plane lowered its landing gear.Someone in the cabin yelled "Ouch". At first glance, it seems that the shapeshifter is right.Except I still remember Zaburon's face in the days after the hurricane.There was something wrong with his eyes, and I had learned to judge.He seemed to understand that he was being lied to, but it was too late. Pavel continued to discuss the details of the patrol team's struggle, the differences in countermeasures, and the long-term battle plan.What a strategist...he should be at HQ instead of hanging out on the streets...

It dawned on me that after a two hour flight he was getting tired of me.But at first glance he gave me a very comfortable impression... "Pavlusha? What do you want to be?" I asked. The shapeshifter made a wheezing sound.He reluctantly replied: "pangolin." "Oh!" I once again looked at him with interest.This kind of shapeshifter is really rare, and this is not like the mediocre wolf shapeshifter of the dead Vidal. "It's true! Then why do I rarely see you in every action?" "I..." Pavel frowned, took out his handkerchief, wiped his sweaty forehead and said, "That's the thing..."

He was amusingly overwhelmed, like a schoolgirl who's had trouble seeing a gynecologist. "I'm going to turn into a herbivorous pangolin," he finally blurted out. "Unfortunately, it's not the one with the highest combat effectiveness and strong jaws. Its teeth are flat, dense, and very slow. Break off limbs... ...chew your fingers...that's what I can do." I couldn't help laughing, and said with concern: "It doesn't matter. This is also needed! The important thing is——Your appearance must be strong, and it can cause fear and panic." "The appearance is powerful..." Pavel gave me a half-believing glance, and replied, "But the color of the pangolin's scales is too colorful, just like Hohram's toys, it's hard to camouflage."

I tried to keep a serious expression on my face. "That's all right, it's fun. If you need to frighten people, especially children, the colorful scales are just right." "Yeah, that's what I usually do..." Pavel said honestly. Our conversation was interrupted when the plane touched the runway and hit the ground.The passengers applauded unanimously, though prematurely.For a few seconds, I leaned against the glare window and greedily looked at the green outside the window, the buildings at the airport, the planes taking off... I can't believe it. I rushed out of the sweltering Moscow and got a long-awaited vacation... This is my privilege... When I return to Moscow - Zaburon will be waiting for me again...

Pavel dropped me off at the trolleybus station.This is the funniest trolleybus line I know of.It goes from city to city, from Simferopol to Yalta.No matter how weird this is, it's pretty handy. Everything here is different, completely different.It seemed hot, too—but not the Moscow heat that smelled of asphalt and concrete.And the sea, although it is far away, can be felt.And that lush green shade, and the whole atmosphere of the big health resorts in high season. It's fine... I do feel fine.Hurry up to take a shower, sleep for a while, and tidy yourself up, it will be even more beautiful. "Aren't you going to Yalta?" Pavel asked knowingly. "Not exactly Yalta," I nodded, glancing gloomily at the long line.Even children are crowded in the queue to grab seats on the trolleybus.I had very little luggage—a small handbag and a gym bag slung over my shoulder.In short, if I want to get on the train without a ticket, I can stand one stop, but I don't want that. After all, I had a bulging stack of travel expenses, vacation expenses, and "treatment expenses"-Zabulong managed to pay me almost two thousand dollars.Two weeks—quite ample.Especially in Ukraine. "Okay, Pavlusha." I smacked his cheek.The deformed man blushed suddenly, "I'll get there, you don't have to send me off." "Are you sure?" He wanted to confirm, "I was ordered to provide you with all assistance." Ha, what a protector... herbivorous pangolins, scaly cows... "Sure. It's time for you to rest, too." "Me and my colleagues are going on a bike trip," he told me for some reason. "A great bunch of lads, big Ukrainian lads, and even a young magician. Maybe we'll stop by and see you?" "Then I shall be delighted." The shapeshifter returns to the airport building, apparently ready to take another flight.And I walked unhurriedly along with the sparse small business people and taxi drivers, the sky was getting dark, and there were not many of these people. "Where are you going, beauty?" A heavy man with a tired face, smoking a cigarette next to his "Zhiguli" called me.I shook my head - I hadn't run between cities in a "Zhiguli" yet... I wouldn't bother with "Volga", nothing to count on, "Oka" - let alone. And the new "Nissan Patron" is completely in line with my intention... I leaned over the open car window.There were two young men with black hair and dark skin sitting in the car.The man in the driver's seat was smoking a cigarette, and his companion was drinking a bottle of beer. "Guys, are you free?" Two pairs of examining eyes stayed on me.I don't look like the very paying person that the legend says... "Maybe," said the driver, "if we can agree on a price." "A good deal," I said, "'Artek,' fifty." "You are a young pioneer!" He sneered, "At fifty we can take you for a ride around the city." It's hilarious.According to his age, he should not even be able to remember the word "Young Pioneers".Besides, his expectations were outrageous... fifty rubles—almost ten dollars. "You missed the main thing," I said to him, "fifty something..." "Fifty what?" the driver's accomplice repeated meekly. "dollars." The expressions of the two guys changed immediately. "Fifty dollars, go right away, don't pick up any hitchhikers, and don't play the music too loud," I confirmed, "It's a deal." "Okay." The driver decided.His eyes widened: "What about the luggage?" "It's all here," I sat in the back seat and threw the handbag aside, "Let's go." Apparently my tone of voice had an effect.A minute later we were quickly on our way.I relax my whole body, straighten my hands and feet, and sit more comfortably, all right.rest.I need to rest...eat peaches...recharge... Next Zaburon will be waiting for me in Moscow... Just then the phone in the handbag rang.Without opening my eyes, I took out the phone to answer. "Alyssa, how are you doing along the way?" I feel a warmth in my chest.What a surprise after another.Even in our best days, Zaburon never thought it necessary to care about such little things.Maybe it's because I'm sick now and I'm out of shape. "Thanks, that's great. The weather was said to be troublesome, but..." "I know. The boys from the Simferopol Sun Watch have helped to adjust the weather. I don't want to talk about it, Alyssa. Are you in the car now?" "yes." "Your trip does not bode well." "Do you mean the road?" "No. Obviously your driver." The backs of the shaved heads of the two young men were motionless in front.Exasperated at my inability to do anything, I cast a quick glance at them.Can't even feel their emotions, let alone read their thoughts... "I can handle it." "You let your escort go?" "Yes, don't worry, dear. I can handle it." "Are you sure? Alyssa." Zaburon's voice revealed a real concern.It hit me like a stimulant. "Of course. Look at the forecast again!" Zawulong stopped talking for a while. Then he said affirmatively: "Yes, it's getting better...but, keep in touch and I'll come over if needed." "If they bully me, all you have to do is tear off their skin, dear," I demanded. The guy next to the driver turned around and gave me a good look. "Not only will I tear off their skin, but I will let them eat it." Zaburon agreed.Needless to say, this wasn't a threat, but an entirely genuine promise, "Okay, get some rest, kid." I turned off my phone and dozed off. The "Nissan" drove smoothly, and soon we were on the main road.The two young men smoked from time to time, and the car began to smell of tobacco. Fortunately, it was not the last time.Then the sound of the engine became more and more labored. Our car climbed a mountain pass.I opened my eyes and gazed up at the stars through the open car window.The stars of Crimea are really big.so close. I did fall asleep afterwards. I even began to dream—sweet, intoxicating dreams.I swim in the night sea.There was another person beside him, I could feel his face from time to time in the darkness, feel his soft touch... When I woke up, I realized that the touch was real. I woke up and opened my eyes. The engine stopped and the car was parked a little to the side of the road.Pulled over in the emergency lane for the unlucky guy with no brakes, and the driver and his friend really had broken brakes, you could see it in their eyes. As soon as I woke up, the driver's friend's face turned away from mine and forced a smile: "Here we go, girl." "Not like 'Artek,' my friend." I echoed him in the same tone. "This is the Ankar Pass. The engine is burnt out," the driver licked his lips. "We have to wait a while. You can get out of the car and take a walk to get some fresh air first." He was even looking for excuses to be out of line, it seemed that he was much more nervous than his accomplices.And that one made himself a little nervous: "It's convenient..." "Thank you, no need." I continued to sit, looking at the pair curiously.Interesting, what will they come up with?Try to get me out of the car?Or try to rape me on the spot? So what's next? Throw it down—it's dangerous.Maybe thrown off a cliff.Toss somewhere in the sea... The sea is the best ally of the killer of all ages and peoples.Only the land will keep traces forever, but the memory of the sea is short-lived. "I have a question," said the driver, "do you have any money?...Young Pioneers?" "Since you're hired," I emphasized the word "hired," "that means there are." "Take a look." The driver asked. Hey, why are you so stupid... these fools... Without saying a word, I took a wad of dollars out of my handbag.He took a fifty from one of them and handed it over—as if he didn't notice the greedy eyes staring at the money.It's over, I'm dead now. But they continue to look for reasons, even for themselves. "This is a counterfeit bill!" The driver screamed, carefully hiding the fifty dollars in his pocket, "Okay. You bitch, trying to trick us..." After listening to a series of unsavory swear words, I still watched the two of them calmly.Although some strength within me was tense, there was no normal strength in the other to make these two scumbags into obedient puppets. "You're counting on your friend?" said the driver's companion. "Is that so? So he's gonna skin us? Well, we're gonna skin him, bitch!" I laughed out loud, imagining that just because of this sentence, Za Wulong would come up with endless tricks to fix these two puppies. The driver grabbed my hand.His face, on the whole, was a young and pretty face, and I would not object to a romance with such a young man in a convalescent place, but it was a face that was tainted by a mixture of viciousness, fear, and lust. distorted. "You have to pay the bill with your body, bitch." Oh heh.use the body.And to pay the bill in kind, and with a short flight down a sheer, almost vertical cliff... No, that's not how I wanted to start my encounter with the waters of the Black Sea. Another lad jumped at me - and was already clearly trying to rip my shirt.Bastard, it's worth two hundred and fifty dollars! His hand almost touched me when I pressed the barrel of the pistol to his forehead. There was a momentary pause. "You guys are really good, little boy," I said softly, "All right, take your little hands away and get out of the car." The pistol terrified them.Probably because I came out of the airport, there was no way they thought I would have a weapon.Or maybe they instinctively feel that shooting their brains out is just for fun to me, these low-level bastards. They jumped out of the car and I followed.The two guys were depressed for a few seconds, then ran away.But this no longer satisfies me. My first bullet went to the driver's friend's ankle.His feet are not that important, no need to step on the gas pedal.This injury is ridiculous at all, it's just a slight injury, not so much a bullet wound, it's more like a little skin burn, but it's enough.The guy yelled and fell to the ground.His companion froze and held his hands up.That's funny, what do they think I do?Thought I was a female FSA agent on vacation? "I totally understand your greed," I said. "The economy is collapsing and you can't pay your wages. . . Lust—same. You young people are always boiling with super-sexual desire. I, as it happens, do too!" Even the injured one fell silent.They watched me in utter silence.As night approached, the road was deserted, only the lights of cars approaching from a distance were faintly visible.But the night was charming—a quiet, warm, starry Crimean night, with the sea surging below the cliffs. "You guys are very likable lads," I said, "too bad I'm not interested in sex right now. But you guys are acting awful!" I lift my finger up and they stare at it like they're hypnotized. "We must find a way out!" Judging by their facial expressions, they were not expecting anything good to happen.It doesn't have to be, I'm not a murderer. "Since the two of you are together and you're obviously good friends," I explained, "it's okay for you to satisfy each other. After that, we don't want any more thrills and we get to camp quietly." "You!" The driver originally took a step closer to me, but the loaded barrel showed its due power. "There's a backup method," I said, "that will free you of excess body parts. Chances are I'll be able to do that with the first shot." "You..." the wounded one whispered, "for us..." "No one pays you a dime!" I told them. I don't have the kind of power that can destroy human consciousness that any other has. But they succumbed.Try to give in. We sometimes watch gay porn in hotels - it's funny.It's like watching lesbian porn from time to time in the duty room of vampires and magicians. But the actors in the film are selfless and very good at it.But these two fools were obviously frustrated by the sudden turn of events and had no experience with it.So I'm basically admiring the sea at night, and glancing at them every now and then so they don't fudge their way. "It's okay," I said to them, thinking that I had done enough with them, "As the saying goes, the first time doesn't count. Practice when you have nothing to do. Get in the car!" "Why?" the driver stopped spitting and shouted.Maybe he thought I wanted to shoot them, and then pushed them down with the car and people into the sea. "Hey, aren't you hired by me to drive me?" I said in surprise, "The money has already been accepted." Then we drove all the way without danger.It's just that the driver suddenly yelled in the middle of the road, saying that he hated himself, that there was no point in his life now, that he was now going to turn the steering wheel and drive into the abyss. "Yeah, yeah!" I agreed. "Shoot you in the back of the head and you'll die painlessly!" He quiets down. I didn't put down my gun until I reached the gate of "Artec". Already at the door, I turned and said: "Haha, by the way, there is one more thing, boys..." They looked at me with hatred.If I'm in shape - how much energy can I absorb! "Better not try to find me. Otherwise you'll feel like this night is heaven. Understand?" No response. "Silence—that's acquiescence." I think.I put the little Astra back in my handbag.It was the ideal weapon for a weak woman...although Pavel had to carry it through customs. I headed for the gate, and the Nissan roared away.Let's hope these two hapless robber-rapists are smart enough not to be tempted to take revenge... After a day or two, however, these two little local robbers ceased to bother me. In this way, at two o'clock in the middle of the night, I came to "Artek", where I wanted to recover my health. "Have a little soup," as Karl Lvovich said when he gave me the instructions I needed. Every model young pioneer of the Soviet Union should accomplish three things in his life-visit Lenin's tomb, take a vacation in "Artek", and wear a red scarf for October children.Afterwards, they can move on to the next stage of their development—joining the Communist Youth League. I had only time to take the first step during my short time as a Pioneer in my own childhood, and now I have the opportunity to make up for the missing step. I don't know what happened in the Soviet period, but now this model children's summer camp looks very solemn.The fence around the barracks was intact and the gates were guarded.Unarmed, of course...at first glance...but the lad in the police uniform was a solid guy, and looked quite dignified even without his uniform.Next to the guards was a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy who looked very cute for some reason.Maybe it's a remnant of a bygone era when the horns were blown, the drums were beating, and the Young Pioneers marched to the beach in order to get their spa treatments in order. Honestly, I was looking forward to bureaucrats courting women, or over the top surprises.However, it seems that the Young Pioneers counselor (but my current job title is much simpler - childcare worker) who came in an imported car at two o'clock at night was not the first to arrive at "Artek".A doorman took a quick look at my papers—it was genuine, signed and stamped by all the appropriate authorities—and called over the little boy who was on guard. "Makar, take Alyssa to the watchman." "Okay." The little boy murmured, looking at me carefully with great interest.A detached, nice little boy.When you see a beautiful girl, show your interest generously.There will be big payoffs... We walked out of the janitor's hut, past the long display of the schedule, announcements about an event, and a children's poster... I hadn't seen a poster in ages!We walked along dark wooded lanes, and I found myself involuntarily looking on either side for plaster statues of buglers and various little girls with paddles in their hands.But no such statue was found. "Are you the new counselor?" the little boy asked. "yes." "Makar." He held out his hand to me solemnly. "Alyssa." I shook his hand, trying not to laugh. There's an age difference between me and him—ten years or so, maybe twelve, but even the names show how much things have changed.Where did the Alishas of Crolo and Brechev disappear?Along with the plaster trumpeter, the Young Pioneers team flag, lost fantasies and unrealized ideals are gone, lined up neatly, disappearing in the passionate singing... The one who played Alyssa in the TV series made all the little boys in the country laugh The little girl who fell in love with her is now a biologist, working peacefully, recalling her romantic image with a smile. Another group came.Makars, Ivans, Yegors, Mashas...the immutable laws of nature—the worse the life of the people, the more they vilify it, yearning for roots, old names, old The yearning for order and ancient rituals is stronger.No, they are not inferior at all, Makars and Ivans.Perhaps, on the contrary, more serious and purposeful, with little to do with ideology and bumbling solidarity.They are closer to us and to the Dark Emissary than the Alishas and the Slavas. But after all, I feel a little wronged.I don't know if it's because we're not that kind of people, or because they become that kind of people. "You came here temporarily." The little boy still asked seriously. "Yes. One of my girlfriends is sick and I'll take her place. But I'll try to come back next year." The little boy nodded. "Come on, we're fine here. I'll come next year, when I'll be fifteen." I don't know if it was my illusion, or there was a fire in the little guy's eyes. "What about after the age of fifteen?" He shook his head and said with obvious regret: "You can only come before the age of sixteen. But I plan to go to Cambridge when I am sixteen." I almost choked. "It's quite expensive, Makar." "I know. Everything was planned five years ago, don't worry." Maybe it was the son of some upstart.They really do have everything planned. "A very reasonable step. Will you stay there?" "No, why stay there? Get the education you deserve and go back to Russia." A serious kid.Needless to say, there are sometimes interesting versions among humans.It's a pity I can't test him with other abilities right now... We need a lad like that. Following my escort, I turned from a path paved with square stones to a narrow path. "It's closer here," the little boy explained, "don't worry, I'm familiar with everything here..." I walked silently behind him—somewhat dim, only to count on human strength, and his white shirt served as a reliable guidepost. "Now, do you see the light?" Makar turned to me and asked, "Go straight there, I'll go first..." It seems that the little boy just wanted to play a joke on me... It is about thirty meters to the place where the light is on, and he has to walk along the grassy park.Take a new counselor to the bushes and leave her there... it's going to be his bragging rights in front of his friends: But just as Makar took a step to the side, he suddenly caught something, he screamed and fell to the ground.I didn't even feel schadenfreude - because it wasn't funny. "Huh, didn't you say 'I'm familiar with everything'?" I couldn't help but say something. He ignored me, only to hear him panting heavily, rubbing his sore knee.I sat down beside him and looked into his eyes: "You're trying to play a joke on me, aren't you?" The little guy glanced at me—quickly looked away, and muttered: "Sorry……" "Do you joke like that with everyone?" I asked. "no……" "How can I have this honor?" He didn't answer right away. "You look... very confident." "No," I agreed briskly, "I ventured here and nearly got killed on the way, I kid you not! But I got rid of it. What else could I look like?" "Sorry……" All seriousness, all self-confidence were gone from him.I sat down beside him and asked: "Show me your knees." He moved his hand away. strength.I know there is still power.I can almost feel the power flowing from the child: the sharp and pure power born of pain, grievance, shame... I can almost grasp it like any other in the dark world.Another man's weakness - is his strength. almost.This is not what I want after all.Makar sat there, gritted his teeth, and said nothing.He held on—and kept the strength in himself.That's - too much for me right now... I took a flashlight out of my handbag and took a picture. "No big deal. Shall I put some plaster on you?" "Hey, no, it'll be fine on its own..." "You know?" I stood up and looked around, "It's really hard to find the way to the warm little window in the distance..." "Well, Makar, are you going to run away, or send me off again?" Without a word he stood up and walked forward.I follow.As I approached the house, which looked no small at all—a two-storey columned stone cottage, Makar asked me: "Will you tell the watchman?" "What?" I laughed. "It's like nothing happened. We took a quiet walk along the avenue..." He stuffed his nose for a moment, and then he said again, and in a more earnest tone: "I'm sorry. I made a stupid joke." "Take care of your knees," I advised him, "and don't forget to rinse and apply iodine."

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