Despair overwhelmed me, and tears were ready to come out from my eyes. I jumped up from the table, threw my napkin into the bowl of my favorite fruit salad.
I hate London! I hate it! HATE!!! I shouted.
Deathly silence reigned around. Everyone froze, including the waiter with a cup of espresso, he was about to put on our table.
I grabbed my bag and, noticing nobody on the way, headed for the exit.
***
I traded a fortnight vacation in Paradise for a weekend with Vitaly in London, landing at Heathrow airport on Friday night.
As soon as I switched on the phone, the bell rang.
Lara Vitaly said as doomed, Ive been called away to their office on the weekend But Ill come in London to see you tomorrow night, okay?
I traded a fortnight vacation in Paradise for one night with him in London.
***
On Saturday, around lunchtime, I sadly looked at myself, collapsed into the fountain of Trafalgar Square at +40C.
People didnt even realize that I felt sick from the heat and that I was no longer there I thought, Truly, its bad luck to come back!
What did I trade my life for?
Can we say that it was Vitaly who killed me?
***
Vitaly died in a car crash at midnight between that damn Saturday and Sunday, almost reaching London. He fell asleep at the wheel
Did he trade his life for a night with me?
No, it was me who killed him
***
On Sunday we sat for a long time on the banks of the Thames, making a plan to which countries we would fly without passports before disappearing forever
July 200313. A Guest
It was raining cats and dogs outside. A girl in a dark cloak with a huge hood was standing at the door to my neighbors flat. Her long black curls hid her profile from me.
He wont open it for you, I said.
The girl shuddered and turned around. She was beautiful. I remembered in particular the black-night eyes that stood out against her snow-white skin.
My neighbor died yesterday, I continued. Poor old man You must be his granddaughter! He said he had been waiting for his granddaughters visit. What a pity youre late! He loved you very much, he was proud of and constantly talking about you. You know, its important for old people to feel that someone needs them
The girl sighed, but said nothing in response.
Come to my place, you got wet, I suggested, and she followed me into the kitchen.
The girl sighed, but said nothing in response.
Come to my place, you got wet, I suggested, and she followed me into the kitchen.
No, thank you, the girl refused my tea, Ill just warm up a bit and then Ill go
Whats your name? Do you have someone else here, besides grandfather?
No, I dont have anyone else, she sighed sadly, even friends.
You are so young and beautiful! You still have a lot ahead of you! The main thing is not to make enemies!
Enemies my interlocutor said thoughtfully. Im not as young as you think. You cant imagine how tired I am of my life! I work seven days a week, not a minute to rest. Here, for once, I allowed myself to come to you, but then People make up stories about me, they try in every possible way to avoid me, bypassing, while Im not at all what they think of me
What do you do?
I help people. However, Good in this world is often mistaken for Evil, so I am doomed to human hatred. If they only knew how much I envy them!
Why?
At least because their life is varied and interesting, its tasty, you know? They can feel it with every fiber of their soul and enjoy earthly pleasures to the fullest! I cant do that. Im not fit Theres no person on Earth who is so lonely! Im tired of life. I feel like a restless ghost who cant die.
Listen to me, my dear! We often curse life and wish we were dead. But when Death suddenly appears on our doorstep, we realize that life is short, and it must be appreciated, because sooner or later Death will surely come for you too
For me? the girl asked thoughtfully.
The dog began howling in the flat of the deceased neighbor.
Poor dog! I sighed. He was his best friend!
I have to go! my guest exclaimed and got up. Im already late!
Where are you going now? I wondered, following her to the corridor.
The girl looked at the door of the neighbors flat.
I was there yesterday, she whispered, but I forgot to take with me his devoted friend
September 30, 1997Part II.The MASTER of FATES
0. Exceptions
Suddenly I felt someones gaze on me. I turned around and saw an Angel.
Hello, I whispered. Have you come for me?
Yes, he nodded.
The bonfire stories are still going on, I tried to protest, as I felt cozy in the fog that hid the faces of the storytellers, and I was about to share my own.
Dont be upset! the Angel smiled as he read my mind. The bonfire will not go out for a long time, and stories will follow each other until the last soul leaves the Earth. Now you have to go.
I looked at the Man. For some reason, I didnt want to say goodbye to him.
Well, go, he patted my shoulder. I will find you later
In the City of the Sun or in the Land of Dreams?
Wherever it is written in the Tablets, the Man sighed.
The Angel held out his hand to me, and we walked away from the bonfire.
Where are we going? I asked.