Then, for a reason known only to him, the ghost quickly flew out of the house, passing through the wall next to the door, while issuing a hoarse half-roar, half-voice, in which Marianne caught sight of the word: I-ako-ov!
The rumble died down, darkness reigned in the doorway. Stumbling, Marianne ran to the door. On the rails, the train swept away, casting rectangular patches of light beside it. Another second, and he disappeared behind an invisible bend, leaving behind a whirlwind of snowflakes. Marianne closed the door, bolted it and said, rather to himself:
Wow, Jacob! How frightened! Marianne was shaking. Yes, and the train made this noise. And then he added: Maybe just by the way! After all, if not for this trouble with the train, Jacob would have attacked me.
It was not a question, but the mouse responded in the same thin voice:
I do not know. Ive never seen him like this before.
Mignis was still sitting in her place.
What a warm wool! quite quietly she said, sniffing the mitten. Jacobs arrival did not interest her at all.
Marianne drew back from the door, listened, and, hearing nothing from outside, sat down again on the bench next to the mouse. The bravery of the little animal was admirable.
It seems hes gone. What can a ghost do? Is it worth fearing them?
It is only worth being afraid and avoiding that you do not know. Thats how the spirit world differs from the shadow world, you say?
Isnt it the same thing? Ghosts are ghosts.
No, Mignis said very quietly and cautiously, as if some other ghost might hear her. And I think both of these worlds are both interesting and have dark energies. Sometimes this energy is released. Especially when these worlds intersect.
Marianne was amazed at Migniss response as well as the appearance of the dreaded Jacob. And the mouse, not noticing this, thoughtfully said:
A manifestation of these forces is a rare, dangerous, but bewitching phenomenon.
Marianne did not like the answer and generally the topic of dark ghosts. To distract himself a little, he stirred the coals in the hearth and threw in fresh logs. Then I decided to see what he had in his backpack. He reached under the valve and pulled out a plastic water bottle. Only when he saw the water did Marianne feel how much thirsty he was. He hastily unscrewed the lid. Breathing heavily after long gulps, Marianne noticed that the mouse was looking at him strangely. The guess immediately flashed through my head. He carefully poured water into the bottle cap and placed it in front of Mignis. She sipped water, closing her eyes while drinking, then began to diligently rub her muzzle with her paws. Marianne was a little touched by this sight. He liked the mouse more and more. He smiled.
This is much tastier than melted snow, said Mignis, seeing Mariannes incomprehensible smile.
Marianne continued to investigate the contents of the backpack. A package of sliced bread, ten wagons of cheese, cracker packages, about ten chocolate bars, and a second plastic bottle of water. They ate dinner with sandwiches. Mignis, however, ate quite a bit of cheese. She only smelled her own piece of bread and did not touch it. He had to be put back in his backpack.
Chapter 4. Dark Energy
There was a knock on the door. Mariannes heart sank into her heels.
Jacob is back!
Marianne was confused. Now he is trapped. This time, nothing will distract Jacob. Then he will kill Marianne. The knock was repeated. And oddly enough, now at its sound it became easier. The ghost would pass freely through the door. Marianne dared to come closer. Someone pushed the door, then the words were heard:
Open it! Let me in, please!
A living person.
Tired quiet voice. Marianne opened. A stranger wrapped in a fur coat quickly entered the house. He closed the door behind him, took off his hood and exhaled heavily.
Uh-uh, finally warm!
He threw off his burden and sat down by the hearth to warm his hands. He had a short beard and bushy eyebrows. He looked Marianne up and down and said:
Didnt expect to meet anyone here. Then he looked around the room and continued: My name is Viator. And you? How did you get here?
Im Marianne strayed from my class.
Well, you look like a student. Viator looked at Mariannes jacket. Are you alone here? asked the guest, making sure that there was no one else in the room.
Yes
Viator was thinking about something. Marianne asked:
Are you a hunter?
Am I a hunter? Viator almost laughed. You can say so. Better tell me: how did you get off your own? And where are those of yours? Do they walk anywhere nearby?
No. Im lost, Marianne said partially. Then he wondered what else to answer? Cant he say that he has a hidden beast in his blood? Viator gave Marianne a displeased glance.
My class and I went on a hike, and on the way back I fell behind. And then he fell off the hill. I went to this house by rail.
On a hike? asked Viator. Nobody has been here for a long time. Especially on hikes. And how did you fall?
I went to the edge of the mountain and stumbled. I was washed down by an avalanche.
Yes, it happens. And what kind of school?
Saint Elvis. I recently entered there.
Viator nodded.
Yes, there is one. Shes a little south of here. I heard that the disciples there are called saints. And yet its just wonderful that you got here.
Marianne had never heard anyone call him or another student saint. It seemed to him that this was an unflattering nickname, and he looked at Viator in surprise.
Wild lands here. You could freeze to death. Well, Ill help you.
Viator looked around and went to the chest in the corner. He put his backpack down next to him and began examining the insides of the old chest. Marianne hesitated, and then asked a question that was tearing him to pieces from the inside, although he felt that it was better not to ask:
How did you end up here? Are you hunting here?
Viator chuckled to himself again. Marianne was embarrassed, and he decided not to say anything more. At least until the morning.
Im lost too. Just like you, Viator smiled at his joke. I walked with a friend to the east. We wanted to get to Esterby. His brother lives there. But they quarreled as soon as possible, and parted. I chose to walk along the railroad. And he directly through the forest. Heres a story. Now you cant tell who was right. Ill have to spend the night here with you. And he is probably already in Esterby. Sleeps, snores in a warm bed, my old friend. Like this!
Viator slammed the lid on the chest. Noticing Mariannes questioning look, he explained:
I left something here. Last time.
Then he fixed his gaze on Mariannes backpack. Viators eyebrows came together on the bridge of his nose. He walked thoughtfully to the hearth, sat down by the fire and began to put logs. His face, lit by flames from below, looked stern and hard.
Marianne saw that Mignis was no longer on the bench. Looking more closely, he noticed her under the bench. She diligently dragged the woolen mitten into her burrow.
Marianne called out to her, but stopped short. He didnt want Viator to see her. The man stared inquiringly at Marianne. Mignis disappeared into the shadows, leaving her mitten behind. Of course, she will come back for her.