New
The night the sea froze.
the morning, the space opened before him motionless between the island and the distant coast. The space of silence. Only sometimes, a faint sound of cracked glass traversed the bay: the movement of waves raised the ice somewhere.
Denis breathed clean air and cold.
on the white surface of the bay There was here and there patches of black ice, no snow. They looked dangerous and yet these places, the ice was young and strong. The man, suspicious, struck with the foot and assured of its thickness. Some fish came up from the abyss, sparkled for a moment and vanished.
Thus ceased the isolation of the island where an old acquaintance of Denis, Theodore, gave him hospitality. The master of the place sometimes crossed the strait to buy potatoes and cereals Kandalakchat a village. He signed the log Guard Fisheries, noted the passage of Poachers, if there were clashes. The salmon swam in the sea living money, they said. People came to fishing, of course. The game was dangerous, certainly, but it was worth it. At least the diesel engine for the barges.
The island, forested with birch and fir, measured a half a kilometer. The beach was crowded with clay trunks and branches back by the sea, washed by the waves until the whiteness of ivory. Forming a hedge, they tended their ends to the intense blue sky. It was enough to warm for many years. Nearby, a crystal spring gave excellent water, in winter it froze to the bottom. Theodore then cut through the ice of the bay, filled buckets and let it melt on the stove. The sea ice is soft.
He was honest and serious, the game warden Theodore, risking his life. The urge came to him to be incorruptible, "he explained with a smile, shrugging his shoulders. Experience a pleasant firmness in the heart, a kind of justice, whatever. At first all went well, even if warnings had reached him, his dog and a ball. A huge beast to race keeps Moscow. One day he jumped on a poacher. "Stop," cried Theodore in the ecstasy of the chase. Stop! The man turned, having sensed the breath of the dog Attila on his neck and fired. He did not miss. He charged again. Although a weapon too, the game warden stopped abruptly, seized by the acute feeling that the case would become irreversible. Near the coast, two other people sitting in the boats waited for the final, his head hidden under the hood of their waterproof. Theodore did not recognize.
Since that day, he became more lenient, slow, philosopher. He discovered a passion for reading, especially the work of Bunin, named Ivan. (Between We emigrated writer. Nobel Prize 1933, though Russian origin). His books, they gave him almost unique gifts in the library of the city or across the White Sea. Sailors read little.
Denis arrived in this country a month ago. By erasing its tracks, hiding in the snowy area of the empire. In Moscow, he assumed the approach of Judgement, he joked, trying to overcome the situation. Unemployed, laid off pursuant to its own wish, according to the usual formula, he left his home one day. A stranger, leaning against the wall, reading the newspaper. Leaving immediately after reading he made a roll and walked on the sidewalk behind him, then he waited at the door Denis a bakery. He took the same subway car of the same. In early afternoon, another unknown in civilian older and unshaven, replaced the first. In the evening, a third protected output with Nina, it's a little different: bone, athletic, nervous. Denis
amused the first day. His pride swelled so quickly become a VIP, see! The second day, he still appreciated its importance to the global nuclear power, wondering if the grains of megalomania had not germinated in his mind. The next day, He tried to speak to his companion imposed. In vain. And then that became heavy escort silent. He wanted to slip away but that does not please, at paragraph one of the men caught up in the subway exit and dealt him two blows strong and fast in the ribs. Denis is folded in half.
He thought of escape. The day before, from its fixed, he telephoned Nina, his ex, and as they had agreed, he invited him to lunch the next day. At three o'clock in the morning he went out, backpacking, nobody was watching. He walked on foot to the commuter line that runs through the capital and left Moscow in a northerly direction, then went on to stop the Venice of the north Petersburg. The morning his friends found him not, it is understood. "Accuracy is the politeness of kings," Nina repeated in the handset. "That he was not even a prince. Perhaps had he gone to see her grandparents? "
Beyond Leningrad, or St. Petersburg for short, begins the country returns to Moscow to be French in Turkey. In the north, we do not ask unnecessary questions. In Petrozavodsk on Lake Ladoga, was invited to sleep at home university. Then, the station Kandalakchat, infused with the smell of soot, a man with a wheelbarrow full logs did not ask Denis why he tried to sleep with him. Theodore was not surprised not to see him profiled on the hearth guards fisheries. The night club blah standing there, and a drinking binge.
protection officer had seen the turning of fate, including several years of camp at the foothills of the Urals. That's when a friend advised him to the White Sea. He found work, even enjoying a reputation of an honest man.
"Okay, you can spend time with me," he said. "Go on the platform and wait for me, I sign the paper and then I'll join you. Go to the cafeteria .
A large room overlooking the bay. Few heads were stretched towards him in the manner of geese when he appeared in the entrance. An employee of the bar mechanically straightened her hair, without looking, but feeling his presence immediately. North wives knew to keep their male drinkers but registrants lost the talent for love. In fact, we sometimes talked of aphrodisiacs safe, kidneys polar bear or the fresh blood of the reindeer.
"Natalie", was named the waitress, without waiting for the question. He found her rather pretty. She did not know what to pour into the glass of the unknown, who lived, according his coat, a big city. The selection was poor: a so-called port, a Georgian white wine or tomato juice Bulgarian. Tea, of course, it is unnecessary to mention. Nathan was busy opening a huge jar of tomato juice, but the rusty lid did not yield. Fishermen will drink to get the taste of vodka, prohibited sale here but the men brought their bottle. The pullover
the waitress her beautifully sculpted breasts; over she had a thick jacket, black, cotton lined, as Balzac described already in love, in "Seraphita. This jacket under Stalin had become a national costume : We received during the first visit to the camp and then they never left because of poverty.
Denis asked for tea. His glass, placed in a blackened glass door in front of him on the table. That is, what a wonderful peace, the black water of the bay, the sky gray one, not even seagulls. On the table, oilcloth dotted with small blue flowers.
boards cracked ground under the feet of an entrant. Denis corner of eye saw Theodore.
"Well, we're going. Hello, Nathalie. So Denis, you already love our Nordic beauty? And what a hunter! The marten, squirrel, she pulls on them like a goddess. Nathalie, you are Artemis. "Who am I again? "She took offense but she calmed down when he saw mine Denis attributed to her name said. The boat beat
slightly against the platform edge. There were four others and another star, that of the director, the great leader of the salmon. For him, the precious fish arrived in the city and then swam through the streams of important knowledge. But if necessary, he was incorruptible, Comrade Mordini. "You say, salmon for the wedding? Impossible. Well, for the honest man you are, three pounds, no more. Okay, thank you .
engine, yielding to injuries, finally started. They moved away from the coast, increasing the pleasure of Denis.
The Border Guard soldiers rarely come here. The forbidden zone begins farther. And Frontier. There, they fired without warning. In the film, of course, then: stop, which is it? But if someone moves on the Frontier is an enemy, it is clear? Killed an enemy provides permission for several days, if we are lucky, vacation home. For a wounded man, a reprimand: it might crawl to the west. In
boat, twelve miles as the crow flies, the island is the closest among those that form an arc that goes into the White Sea. In reality, it is white in winter. In summer, she is black. The deep blue sky is reflected in its waters. It's very quiet, sometimes. Geese fly north and four months later they are back, migrating south. They scream, melancholic, in the sky: ga-ga-ga ... "Denis, have you noticed, long look in the distance makes you sad? Do you know why? It does not explain it to the university. "
"So it's going to Moscow? I wanted to spend my vacation, I called Boris, he said the weather was bad. So I went on the Black Sea. There, it's sunny! Vineyards! Well, you know. I wanted to stay with Dimitri but he said the weather would spoil. Gregory, the biologist, greeted me, he is studying dolphins. They can send a mine against a submarine. At first, the Dolphins were confident they trained easily. But after the first real experience, when one of their has been shredded, they became pensive. They turned back without reaching their goal. A message passed between them, you know? So how biologists sought the trick again. Gregory brought me a backpack full of books I read for three weeks. The sea, I saw almost none. You know, Rita is coming, too. You know Rita? "
Denis knew. Her parents had married, lucky, a student at hand, from a family of diplomats. Lucky, yes. They would go abroad would bring everything out there. But after a year with her husband, she was bored. "Quibbler," she said, "I'm tired 'and she went to our bank. - "Do you know where you going?, His parents cried. - Where they go all sooner or later! "Once
, Theodore was with friends in Moscow, and Rita passed there by chance. She looked at him. He, lean and dry, a pointed beard in Mongolian. He went with her to buy cigarettes, and talked to him. A man of experience, whatever. He had suffered a setback, it. The opposite of her husband Vladimir small: the mosquito bites, he runs to the phone: Dad, Dad! "Rita," said Theodore, do not go so fast, come with me, I know a nice cafe, poets come there. It plays the guitar. They are ours. She hesitated but he wasted no time, embraced her and helped her to board a trolley bus in Moscow, though well sung by the bards.
The bow of the boat cut the waves, dust, cold water, winter flying at their faces. Theodore went to Denis and a cape would put a similar. They said that poachers had their hideouts on desert islands. They did try, in vain. Where they hid their nets and smoking? The plant in the city boasted the best quality and the precious fish was going to the table of important people in all capitals, including in Europe, back then, obeying the natural law, but this time ... in exchange for gold.
" This is our island, "said Theodore, guiding the boat on a piece of channel whose banks were formed by outwash plain trunks. He left the engine of the water, the boat sank in a tire mounted on a piling. "Your arrival is successful. Has no one paid attention. If they ask me, I say, you're a biologist passage. "
The hut was small, with two windows, easy to heat. The stove, huge Russian name, had a bunk to sleep during severe frosts. Plank beds. A table. A cut for firewood. Another cut and an outhouse, his fridge. To put the fish; empty for now. No sub either, and that is: with the damned money, binge drinking begins, headache, and liver troubles, too.
Another hut, a tiny, served as a sauna. His window, very small, a kerosene lamp. "You see, it works well. I have a radio but these days I get tired of: the radio was her life, and I have mine. In winter, I'm sawing wood. You see all those trunks back the sea: smooth, dry whites. Look, one of them arrived with a letter engraved ax: come to save us on islands Solovki Petrov. Too late, dear Petrov, I read your trunk with compassion, but too late. Listen, Denis, you write to me and, if necessary, it will reach me, gently teased Theodore. Moreover, our time has subsided, nearly all survive, the addresses are known, the wives can come and see their man. "
night, Denis went to watch the stars. He raised his head and uttered, "Oh! "The green arrows and blue across the sky, lit circles, spirals, exploding in sparks. There were no cascades of color, yet at this altitude, but the amazing show already taking place there. Denis remained outside until the cold pierces. Return to heat, cowering, he sat at the table in front of the kerosene lamp. The arrows had reached a heavenly secret of his soul. He heard words, verses, phrases they do not say every day. He noted.
Theodore pierced a hole in the ice became thicker than thirty centimeters. They had brought stools and short rods winter, and they settled on the edge. The method was simple: dip a devon and shake the cane from time to time. This piece of metal equipped with a hook made of spins into the abyss. A fish ... admit, thinking it was another smaller fish - his booty predestined and legitimate - would consume. Bizarre as it is so easily mistaken. But man, poor man, thought Denis, is it safe? Just a woman playing the slot of her skirt to reveal a piece of his thigh, and that's it, that's a crowd gaping, eyes wide open.
Denis felt a sudden came the depth of the black thread. He drew the cane. A weight was hung on the line; soon the snout of a fish appeared in the hole, her mouth full of sharp little teeth. He left the loot on the ice. A small cod, brown skin with black spots. The beautiful carol, "said Theodore, and he took his cane, too. Her hands trembled already passion. Their hearts beat strong, the world around them faded. The snow began to fall, gentle, quiet, the wind got up, dragged language on white ice polished flakes clung to the rough invisible black patches gradually disappeared. The snow covered the two men, their backs and their fur hats. It does not bite more. They picked up the fish, some thirty. Four pounds or less, "said Theodore. There was still flour. And potatoes.
A bucket of water was covered with a thin crust of ice. Theodore practiced cautiously a small hole in the middle and emptied the pan. Then, oh miracle, a transparent glass cylinder went out easily.
"It's a trap," he said. I saw the tracks of a weasel on the island. They do not live here but spend the winter. Indeed, a line of small holes coupled marked the snow. Theodore put the cylinder of ice on the tracks. "Without even a bait, was surprised Denis. Out of sheer curiosity to penetrate the ermine, but it will not get out, "said the game warden. Strange, no? "A
crossed his long and disregarded the morning silence, he repeated. They ran outside. A horn cold struggled to achieve them. Theodore installing huge binoculars on a small platform attached to a pole. "A truck," he said. Someone has arrived. Rita is, of course, who else. Bring me the rifle, please. "
The shot split the silence. Through binoculars we could see the coast and the road lined with trees approaching here in the bay. In field of view, a black spot appeared which was moving down the slope towards the sea
"Rita smiled Theodore happy. So she came anyway. I will guide her, "he said skis. He dragged another pair attached to a string. Eight miles straight, two-hour walk if it was on foot. With skis, it is faster, for sure. Can you scan a little home and turn on the stove? Cooking something, eh? "
Denis was alone. Suddenly, he felt the sweetness of solitude in the silence. The snow covered the island entirely. The high grass stems bent under the weight of the flakes stuck together. Arcs rainbow tiny lit here and there in the sun. Nature seemed sweet home, ready to purr at hand, like a cat. Warning: The cold will severely scratch the flesh. Quick, before the fire. The flame began to roar, gaining strength in the stove, the smoke rose into a vertical column milky. The air was not moving.
He remembered Rita in a workshop of painter friends, her lips. His gaze enchanted glued to a table, a fuzzy landscape, painted with touches of bright colors.
Profile Rita with his chin removed, chin Eve, he said, it is seen in some medieval capitals. The powerful and palpable sensuality that calls to dive and forget everything. He had noticed the muscles of his legs carved in the bottom. The art remains holy, but the look of the young man wanted to eat something else.
Now he saw them. He heard the laughter of the girl surrounded by the silence of fluffy snow. With binoculars we could see their faces very close now, confused look without their knowledge. The black curves of the eyebrows and rosy cheeks of Rita. Rime ice was attached to her curls out of a multicolored wool cap with a red pompom. Rita skiing movements were an animal grace. As for the man, he slipped heavily, confident, expiring puffs of steam, like an ox.
faces, huge, overflowing field of vision. A mole on the cheek Rita showed her down. He guessed the color of his eyes: brown. She too looked into his eyes, he lowered his own, embarrassed, and thought, we can not fix a woman's face without consequence. Without punishment for those who have exchanged vows. But he could. He watched eagerly, a current of pleasure flowed through her veins, a little annoyed by the presence of fishery protection. But a reminder of the camaraderie extinguished his ardor. The crunch of snow under the skis of a sudden became audible. Hey, Denis shouted, standing on the coast. Hey! They answered and waved their hands in the air. Denis ran on the ice.
"What a surprise," laughed the girl. They embraced. The singular scent of fresh snow covered the troubled female hair. "So are you, Santa Claus apprentice? she said. I bring sausages and a little money from Serge. He said that you could be there. There. Also preserves, cans crushed me back, fishing line, two coils for Theodore and books for foam does not recover on this island. "Rita
acting master of the hut. She cast a glance in the cut, lifted the lid of the pot, "Oh, it smells good. You guys are the cooks today or tomorrow, I'll help. Theodore, do you go hunting the hare? But the game warden smiled, pleased with the presence of Rita: "Do not bother, they will of themselves on the island, it takes a few days.
- So what's new in Moscow? - As always. Little Peter was arrested, you know? We searched Vania home to find nothing. Tania has quarreled with him because of Zoe, now they are together again. Zoe cry: me, I thought he pressed thee. Tanya giggles: where should he go without a permit of residence in Moscow? And you, Zoe, you can not have it recorded by you, your mother does not. It already has registered this rabble of Alexander, she said, the first husband of Zoe. What good is a second? Well, never mind. I was at the theater for The Three Sisters. That was something. Chekhov is super modern. The tension rose to mad barricades tomorrow. A type in the pit, which was not hiding, checked the booklet in hand, we did not change a comma. Theodore, do you still, you know I do not drink. "Denis
bored to drink, he would rather just be sitting next to Rita and chat. Theodore looked at, touched. "Sasha - you know him? - He said you did well to leave. Them, they have their five year plan for the class enemies, they're looking for more. "The young
Rita, now she became an adult. His attention was split, cracked, from the first glance on Denis, then to Moscow. As if his pensive promised something hidden in the depths of his soul. Very curious, she wants to go, in this labyrinthine country, where everything breathes adventure.
"You have no bathroom, Theodore, is not it? said Rita. But if a sauna. Besides, today is Saturday. The wood is ready, the stove is lit, the ice melted. While a tank full of water. "The sauna
occupied a smaller cottage. The stove was opening his mouth off in an area protected by a canopy. A big tray of iron there was inlaid, full of steaming water, three wooden benches lined the walls. A rock jutted out of the stove, intended to produce, once watered, steam. A tiny window, a broken glass lamp. Some bundles of birch branches with dry leaves gave off a smell wonderfully nostalgic, almost a perfume.
"While eating, Rita? You can go first. It's simple: you take hot water in a pan and then you add cold water. As everywhere, whatever. You do not like steam, I thought so. Denis will put logs in the fireplace. "He was happy
mission imposed. He put pieces of dry wood resembling bone a mammoth. The sauna door opened, creaking, "Denis, are you still here? Can you take my watch, I forgot to remove it. "He ran
and for evil in the darkness, grabbed the arm of coincidence Rita; a while, he kept his hand motionless, obedient, warm. This contact electrocuting him. The outline of a naked body in the glow of the lamp did hold your breath. Rita shut the door noisily.
This moment is enough to Denis for bringing out a fountain of words. It again became the man who sings the poet. What freshness in life! Yet, nothing new to include in their reports. He sang the possible, that's all. Rita's interest for him was unquestionable. It was not Theodore who appease. The caresses of the game warden promises to be a pledge to meet Denis here. A sort of tax. Not too heavy, indeed, perhaps even at all.
Theodore listened to the radio as if nothing had happened. He had a helmet made sure it meant a lot better and the words through the noise jammers. Better: they had over there, enough brains to find an announcer with a voice high and sharp, a little tomboy, which pierced although the roar. "Oh, Theodore! What? So, what have they seen in Moscow from London? What? Ah? Nothing new. Pierre Petit was arrested. That was expected. That's it. You know him? Yes, I know. We will not see for a while. If they do not catch us doing there ... "The door creaked
. Rita wrapped steam, hair falling, smooth and shiny, stood on the threshold. Her eyes sparkled merrily.
"A true pupa," Theodore said admiringly. First, the white queen and now a nymph. Siren. It's our turn now. "They
soaping yellowish in the twilight. Theodore watered stone protruding from the stove and the water exploded into steam, burning their lungs. Denis did not like the national sport. Annoyed he slandered same: that is that all our brains going with steam. "What? What do you say? Theodore was listening full of foam. "I go, there you are. How boring. "Do not bother to wipe: hot air drying in the moment. He put the felt boots and skis, naked, and slipped on ice in the bay. The steam rising from his body. In the sky, a silent battle unfolded throwing arrows bluish green spirals whirling madly. The cold air caressed her skin without being able to hang. Petit Denis, you'll catch cold, "cried Rita searching gaze into the night, and she guessed, emotionally naked. If it was a little clearer ... but like that, no shame, it is admitted, it's good.
Denis slept in the sauna cooled and dried, rocked by bitter aroma of birch leaves. Theodore, glad that his friend had warned her request, easily accepted his sacrifice. It provides a mattress of hay in the summer. Shoulders covered with her coat, Denis was seated at a makeshift table in front of the lamp, amazed by the abundance of words. Memories. Love. Not stand silent loner, he left muttering something like "your donation will flourish ...".
The North Star, huge, shining. He seemed to become strong and indestructible, like a giant next to her daily Moscow city. My God, he thought, I wrote a thesis! What idiocy. Thank you, Providence, you saved me from their harness. Those who wanted to capture the image of crows took the ridiculous and evil. They fight all their lives for a piece of cheese. To make the fox, he sneered.
Midi past Theodore and Rita awoke. Denis then saw white smoke out the chimney to announce that he could knock on the door. Besides, the game warden called him already, "Denis ... where are you ... come to tea. Rita greeted him with a somewhat embarrassed smile, as if something bordering on treason had spent the night. She wore a pink sweater and a black woolen tights. "The harlequin costume fits you well," he joked. She was relieved and he does not want him.
"My friends, our lunch was still under water ! "Just joking, they surrounded the hole. Nothing was biting. "They say a woman fishing brings bad luck," said Theodore. Suddenly, Rita waved his cane uttering squeals, she pulled the wire but resisted a great living in the black depths, struggling, though already predestined to be swallowed by these three bodies, nourish and strengthen them. Rita pulled the wire a nose appeared in the icy water and crystalline. "Yikes! You're in luck: it is a salmon. So it! Who said a woman to fish ...? Rita triumphed. The white crystals of ice clung her eyelashes and eyebrows, they shone.
They were well seated in the hut, around the table with the bowl of steaming soup. The afternoon stretched out in peace. Theodore tried to listen to radio jammers indignant: "In what country we live shit. Rita, near the window, painted a charming little watercolor. Denis scribbled, inspired and happy. In the evening they went out and departed from the island to see the whole starry sky dome. They remembered the names of the constellations. "Look, Sirius! Where, where? And here is Orion. Look out, it is see very well, Andromeda! "The nebula glowed a beautiful blue.
Denis went to the sauna to sleep, despite the issues supported by Theodore, was he at ease? Did he not bring his mattress and settle on a bench in the hut with them? Hospitality revived Theodore was hiding something. Apology, or perhaps excuses. In the night silence Denis imagined movements and sounds, there, at the game warden.
"Tomorrow we will go to the city, Rita. And me, then? She annoyed. We only have two pairs of skis, alas. I need Denis we need cereals and potatoes. I'll try to find the skis for you. The next shipment, we'll do three, I promise. You're not afraid to be alone? And the gun is there, look on the wall. Rita sulking: you abandoned. To go to the city in a straight line, twelve miles. Equalized by snow, an hour and a half skiing. In reality, longer, because of bare ice and hard in places.
"Hey ...! "A melodious voice called out. They turned and saw a figure on the steep coast. Rita waved her hand. They also made him sign. The crunch of snow under regular skis reminded crushed starch in the sheets. The steam went out of their mouth breathing. The game warden led the way, heavy, experienced. "People here are good. They cherish their freedom. Many have been imprisoned, former Zeka. Here, the ice is as polished here. "
The wind blew away the snow. The skis were leaving right and left. And then, the soft layer again. You could tell the sun in the milky sky. The snow was gray: it was freezing hard. However, large gels below least forty were not common in the sea The cold mortal began later, on the other hand, tundra. This is not Siberia, yes! Having talked this way, they were silent, overwhelmed by the pace of movement, the creak of snow and binding straps.
Hello, Kandalakchat, great city. Blowing steam, they mounted the platform and entered the cafeteria. These are strong people, from far away, hunters and pioneers, "said Denis. There were five or six lonely, sitting in the room, fatigued by alcohol, they clung to the view of the newcomers for a second, only made a nod, and returned to their sleepiness.
"Natalie, my dear, can we leave our skis over here? I'll be your debtor. The hostess checked her hair mechanically, and quickly wiped his hands with a rag to shake their hands. A sober man in the North, was a treasure for gold! This way, women also were strong, enduring. If their man fell somewhere, they sent a messenger to your husband is lying here and there ... next to the post. She then hastened to come with the sled before the militia will not take. If the militia was the first she kept him in position to do it sober, it was expensive, with a fine in addition. As for the sub, we had little.
"You're not married, Nathalie? "At this unexpected question, the waitress and softens flushed. "Look, Denis, what a beautiful bride, right? Hush, Theodore, Lord of herring! she retorted. It is said that a lady came to you, right? While others have no right, or what? "Nathalie
left behind his zinc, as if she wanted to dust the crumbs of the table, she walked in high heels, pounding the boards, his legs, we did not see them, but they guessed powerful, voila!
Theodore went to sign the log service Denis walked into town. He passed through the mail and read a sign stating that the phone worked. Then he found the library. The saleswoman was alone, two schoolgirls were buying books. The wall, the official portrait of an important friend. And another smaller one sweet looking man, dressed in fashion of a different era: Jules Verne. His buddy Captain Gatter happening, they say, here.
Someone entered the store: "Hi, Nadia, I bring pine nuts, fresh, solid, excellent. Did you put on the waiting list for the journey to the center of the Earth? How many copies will the region?
- Three, "said the girl. And the first secretary of the party wants them all.
- As always, of course! cried the man in despair. Ah, I see a new face, hello, comrade, I am the principal of the school and technical school. I see that you are not here, you're the center, is not it? Denis, hiding, said: "I'm passing, I must go. "There were only
of snow in the streets. Listen, we're going to dinner, okay? Suggested the game warden. There is a lighted room, a little music. We will sleep at the inn of the guards, there is room. The chief went to Murmansk.
They ordered a bottle of Moldovan wine and chicken thighs Hungarian. Polish French fries. The ice was locally made with milk imported from Latvia. "Here we have a lot of cold and snow, Theodore joked. On the slope of the hill there is also a slalom world. I'll tell you one thing, Denis: I will stop there for another year. Then I leave. In Moscow too, it takes guards! But the settlement is more severe, I will not have the right to a weapon. Being awake does nothing except the residence permit. You see
Rita, who would have thought she would have plated another! Is she in love with the old fungus that I am? She needs something solid. Children. Not for me. I already have a pension liabilities. To your health. We order something else? "
Night came suddenly. The black windows without curtains. The unit played rhythms of another time, a fox-trot. And even something bold to American notes. Customers come in felt boots and took them off put some shoes. They marched, banging on the floor, encouraging one to intervene in the middle of the room. We do not sell vodka here, we took it into their pockets. "You can live with me all you want," said Theodore. Rita part in a week. If I understand correctly, your career is done. "Denis thought he should move away from the capitals to be forgotten. Then he would find a place keeper, or more popular, supervisor for the boiler: add pressure steam if needed or, conversely, decrease.
- An excellent project, my dear Denis. I propose to go already in the guards. Keep some space in our stomach: there, drink, refuse to drink with them back to the mortally offended.
They walked. The foot part was looking firm and hard on the pavement. There was no lighting. Theodore, accustomed to move in the night, heading toward the sea, "Wait," he said, then turned to a pile of snow. Denis followed his example.
buttons, they went on the road. Suddenly a light electric light struck them in the eyes. "Do not move! said a firm voice. Control of papers! "Three, four, five guys in all their gleaming brass buttons, probably militia. "Guys, what he takes you, Theodore began, surprised at the raid. We here myself, I'm game warden, besides, I know you, your name is Alexander, "he continued, turning to a young militiaman. "Many know me," grinned the sergeant, you'll follow us. "
Denis was not afraid but a little cold already well known camped in his belly. All this was strange. A policeman stood with them, others went into the night. "We'll check," he said, seeing that they probably made a mistake, people were not even drunk. Denis pretended to slip and, in falling, dragged the policeman in his fall. "Ah, that's the way you are! Cried he rolling in the snow. Dog, I'll make you shit! He held an object in his hand pointed at Denis. Come on, shit! "They
narrowed eyes as they crossed the threshold of the post. "People urinated on Lenin Square, told the policeman as a snowy Santa Claus drunk. Very well, "said the militiaman saver, thus profaning the monument. Person urinate, "said Theodore. Who could see the monument at night? Then he pushed me, "said the militiaman. Really? So it's serious, resistance representatives of power! Drunk? You must sober up, citizen. Ivan brings it. At the same time, the militiamen had separated Denis Theodore and pushed behind the thick wooden grid. At its meeting rode a huge peasant wearing a leather apron, "So, too drunk, mate? First, we'll take a shower. What good, dodged Denis, I do not drink, I want you breath? The giant bowed to him, like a cyclops over a sheep Argonaut, puzzled. "So offender? Well, put yourself on the bed. "It was a mattress filled with hay, ripped medium. Two shadows snoring in the dorm of the drunk tank. Denis covered her head with his cloak. The bitterness of captivity prevented him from sleeping. Through hope pierced from here and there, hands in anxiety. That's like everyone is stupid. Gone, hidden, trapped ... Oh, my little Nina, I have not been fair to you, a thousand times! he thought he felt overcome by a mood will. If I could only go immediately beg your forgiveness ... What the night tells me advice!
Multiple voice woke him. People groaned, growled, grumbled. "Arise, plague, rabble "Roared the cyclops. He drove the drunks on the street as snow remembering their stuff into the pocket the notice of a fine. "You're awake, too? The captain came to see your business and your friend too. The calm of the militiaman reassured Denis. Captain Fakin seemed a good man recruiting post-Stalinist. He had heard talk of equality, perhaps.
"So, are we going to sign the minutes of the interrogation? - Which? Denis surprised. It. "By far, the captain showed a white sheet. "On the evening of 15 January ... I passed on Lenin Square ... I made a desecration of the monument of the founder of our state ... accomplishing a natural need of a cynical way ... "It's crazy," said Denis. The writing is not mine, too. - But you could not even write, you were drunk. It's pure crime: three years' imprisonment. - I request a medical opinion, "said Denis, a tired voice. "What? Captain blushing rose in anger. We learned to talk, you studied! He cried. In cell! Denis held out his hand in defense: "I will go alone, do not bother force me. Then, with all the composure he had left, he turned to the militias and chanted: "From this moment - I began a hunger strike unlimited - in protest against the unlawful acts - Captain Fakin ! "
Captain stood speechless, his roar he remained in the craw. An unexpected move, it is true, European, never seen. The silence became religious. "So you do not eat anything? Even if they give you sausage? Asked the militiaman jailer, distrustful, shaking his keys. The lock creaked. The good times are over, "he said. Denis had perched
on the stool. Although he had prepared since his teens, at this fateful moment, when it came, it created a vacuum that tinged with despair. Come, rebellion, give me strength, I do not want to be there, nor see, nor respond to them! They are disgusting, but I have nothing to hate.
He examined the place: half a woefully narrow window, a mattress on the bed, a bucket with a lid. On the door, a skylight with a board underneath. Well, philosopher, let's agenda, my own, they do not know. My free space to me. My house where I go after work questions. Then the logbook. Let's see. January 16. The key grinds in the lock ...
Indeed, it creaked. The guard was on the threshold: "The captain calls you fakin '. The way some unofficial talk of hope lit. Denis was frightened by such promptness of his being out of here. His courage, was not it too short? In the office of the militia leader, Theodore awaited. "Here," said the captain looking away. You are free. "Playing indifference, Denis came out, his legs absent: he was flying.
The purity of white snow it felt like crying. "Theodore how have you been able to find words to convince the guy? What is happening, talk to me! - I know, "said the game warden. One day I brought him a large salmon for the feast of the Great October. Of course, it's nothing he cares, he also bring other fish. But you came to the capital, and if by chance that salmon returns to the surface before his superiors ... Take the backpacks with the potatoes, and we went home. Rita worries I guess. "
advanced skiers, preceded by the serpentine snow, the horizon became increasingly opaque. Theodore was skiing at their own pace, keeping the right direction. They will arrive, God willing, before the big snow, the clouds. The game warden had a compass. "In my opinion it is best that you go," he said. As a precaution. I'll give you an address. Kem to go in front of Solovki Islands. Or better, in Petrozavodsk. I have a lot of good knowledge among former Zeka. When the storm ceases, pars. "
" Finally! "Rita shouted angry and relieved.
It snowed all night. In the morning we did not guess the window by its bluish light, the door did not open. They both pushed to three: "One, two, three! that's it, you can spend. Denis, put the raincoat and drove into the snow! "The cap on his head, working the elbows, Denis dug a tunnel into the mass white and cold. He stuck his head and closed his eyes, blinded: so much light and shine! Everything was white. Trunks and black branches of trees hid under the ice. The whiteness of the unchanging silence: a time of eternity.
"Denis, what's going on? You leave us there, or what, "shouted a voice choked. With the shovel, Denis threw snow on both sides of the passage soon became a corridor to its size. The door opened completely. "Hooray! "Rita shouted throwing himself his neck, joyful. "You have freed us, traveler, thank you, and the game warden smiled. Pass me the shovel, I want to have fun too, I'm going to the edge. "By noon everything was clear and the stove lit. Rita and Denis had restored the passage to the hole, traced the tracks for walkers broken pieces of ice almost transparent and bluish. "I do not want to go," said Rita. But I must. You must leave, Denis, that history is forgotten. I read, I know: many have saved their lives by leaving. "
" Obviously, "said Theodore. Their wheel is huge, but slow. We do not see if it rolls over you but you is, definitely. The precaution has hurt anyone. We need you to go. Go. "
Well, okay. Another day, and we're going. At night they went out skiing while Theodore turned the knob on the radio jammers and cursed: "Scoundrels! What vermin. Reptiles! "The night sky
led his battle.
Amused, Rita passed over the back of the skis of the young man and he waved his arms and fell driven by the movement. She laughed and helped him recover. Once on his legs, he held his hand, pulled her towards him and kissed him. Perfume his hair, his skin and smell the fur collar of her coat's excited. Emus, they hardly moved in the silent space. The black sky shining stars, green and blue lines fell in the ladle of the Big Dipper.
Then they went back to hot. Theodore slept; Rita snuggled close to him. Denis lay down on the bench with bedside joined theirs. Missed radio brought the dreamy and delicate notes of Orpheus and Eurydice. "Denis, you sleep? said Rita. - No. - In your opinion, why it should seek Eurydice Orpheus in the Underworld, and not the other? - Just because that man seeks to extract the woman of context to put it back in his, "said Denis. Context, Rita grinned, invisible. This is Hell, my friend! - Hell is like any other context, "Denis parada. Theodore breathed noisily waking up, and he got up, turned off the radio, muttering something about the price of batteries.
the morning they drank tea, slowly, leisurely. "As the nineteenth century, in Chekhov," joked Denis. Obviously, nobody wanted to leave or separate. "On Monday, I must be at the institute, absolutely," said Rita. Saturday I'm leaving. Decided. I have to make changes, and a lot. So we start Saturday at Petrozavodsk. - Then continue on Rita Petersburg then take a quick night for Moscow. "
" I'll get a hare: I saw traces, "said Theodore.
"You can read me what you write," says Rita. The kiss of the night before they had created a common space. Denis remorseful: Acting under a roof and friendly. Certainly, their bond was temporary, obviously, was a rope out of a circle Rita bore that was not hers. That it was a free bird, flying ! Goodbye, hobbies annoying to die and the food apparatchiks.
The heavy trampling of Theodore before the current window. He almost tore the door, pale as snow, out of breath: "Damn! He had disappeared the same day! Falling into a trap like that. Idiot I am! softened! dissolved! "
They ran to the shore. In the binoculars, we saw the coast road and guessed, the only clear in winter, approaching the bay. A van was there. In line, the dolls were advancing down the ice toward the island. Five or six? No, four, skiing, weird. If it was seriously, they would have taken a car track, right? Or a helicopter. "Who are they, Theodore? - I do not see clearly, that they are approaching. They have two hours of skiing, even more, they must work around the ravine, which gives us another three miles. Two hours minimum, eternity. Good, will clean the hut, to be calm. "
Theodore took a tin box with old, old cake. "Put your stuff in, if you have any. Denis plucked a few leaves of his notebook and threw them into the fire. Theodore put a book into the box and a packet sheets. Rita came out of folded paper. "You too? Astonished Theodore. Yes, poems, we gave them to me in Moscow. "The game warden went walnut box in the snow. Nobody ever finds it. The main thing is he finds himself.
On the track, he saw a cylinder of ice, he shook the snow. Well, my dear, you too were wrong. An ermine, curled, jelly, showed his teeth through the ice. She could not backing out. Nature did not foresee. A shadow of shame across his mind. And now, we're gonna do what you did to the beast ...
Rita Denis looked at from a different perspective. And he inspected its interior. All his projects were cheered and shouted their importance. Too late, my friends. It is foolish to even hope to settle in a Baltic country and complete her studies. Achieve the degree.
I'm crazy, time flies, they are approaching. Time flows like water from a pot hole. It flows like blood from a body. He looked at the watch: ten minutes had passed since Theodore had run panting. Oh, how long, I can not stand it, get it over with.
Denis ran to the observation post. Nothing new. They advanced. Perhaps it were hunters, fishermen? "Theodore! and whether they are fishermen, we panic stupidly. "The guard adjusted his binoculars, turned the knob of sharpness. They have rifles ... jackets fleecy sheepskin. But why for me, Denis thought suddenly. The joy in his heart exploded, and immediately after, shame him blushing face: if it was not for him it was for Theodore. Then he, Denis would be bailed out? I'm a bastard, a coward and a selfish, a bastard.
"Calm yourself, my friends," said Theodore, trying himself to remain so. It's a routine check, probably, nothing more. Of course, there had never been anything like it. Rita, my dear, perhaps, you, you can make mistakes, "he joked. Your husband has sent soldiers to bring you back into the family den? - Think not, "said Rita. All say: well, that although we know now what kind of bird it was! If she went abroad with our dear Vladimir invent it there!
Now, a competent body to find our child a competent and faithful companion on all items of the questionnaire including Article Five. "
" Well, we'll take tea. In the crucial moments nothing should change a bit, "said the guard putting cups on the table. The usual result is a rite of gestures, a chain that is hooked, it pulls you out of chaos.
"You're so solemn, it gives me goosebumps," said Rita. Finally, why do you tremble, men, adult peasants! Why are you pale? We will torture you, or what? Nowadays, they are polite: switch, wait here, citizen. Sit down. Remain seated. In three years we will pick you up. During that time, friends screaming everywhere, you are defending. Articles in newspapers. There is concern at the White House. Damn! And now a celebrity-made sleeping on a plank bed. You speak differently: are you well, you're not too tight in the brand new socks to the Red Cross, our light does it do not hurt my eyes? "
Rita joked, hoping to lower the tension. Theodore jumped up, ran to the door, Denis too. Rita followed them.
The first was known to him, was a guide service. After him, a strange guy in civilian clothes, were not lowered his ear, he openly mocked jelly. The others were but the latter was armed arm away as if dragging something. Frightened, Theodore saw a pair of skis being towed. They thought so leave with someone. Obviously, with Denis, he, Theodore, had his skis service. He threw
Denis looks a physician to address a terminally ill, not knowing yet what form of ad choose. He beckoned binoculars. "And then? "That guy behind ... - What the rifle? - No, something else. Denis saw and understood. But he had already overcome the anxiety, he even thought that it was good and fair if they let Theodore quiet. He had already gone through this.
"I also want to see! Rita pushed everyone. Oh, what mouths impossible! Moreover, the latter is funny. It reminds me of my ex. "
" I leave you, my children, "said the game warden. I'm going to shave and get changed. Denis, you've got your beard cared, too. You flavor it. We must live the moment of total peace and freshness. The wolves are susceptible to this. He is used to prey trembling, quivering, already guilty because he is hungry. Before men shaved and washed shirt, he does not know any on how. He will await the direction of the Crocodile. "
" Denis, come, "says Rita. He followed her obediently to the door of the sauna.
It was cool inside, in the twilight sunny despite a diamond on the floor. She clasped his neck with his arm in a gesture of ineffable tenderness, kissing on the mouth. To maintain balance, he was obliged to respond. I want to? She asked it. A shadow, an echo of the heat yesterday. He was ashamed of his visible indifference to the young woman giving him the treasure of his flesh. He lacked recklessness. I am already chained? Why I ran towards them? They are not there yet, and I'm already in them? Go away, you still have an hour to crawl! I will not yield so easily, I'll take the rifle and I will draw. I'll go to sea and I buried myself in the snow. Look then! Suddenly, he realized that the rifle was more of Theodore in his place on the wall.
Rita moved away from him and pulled his sweatshirt over his head. His shirt is unbuttoned all alone. He lives apart nipples to tighten. "Rita, my joy," he said. You're dead or what, "she says, embarrassed by his reluctance. She looked down and undid his belt, aided by a movement almost comical thighs. A black and curly beautiful island in the middle of the whiteness. The mysterious island. The island of salvation.
"Let me think," said Denis dry lips. "Do we have the time," says Rita.
resist is hard work. Resist, why bother? Is there a chance of misery, one in a thousand? The fugue, alone. Cache. He looked at Rita in a different light. Hiding in it, that's what it offers, great! He caressed the idea absurd, but at the same time, comforting. Again, a thousandth time, life was more cunning than death. We will lead by the end of their noses ...!
"And Theodore? "He said in a voice suddenly hoarse.
"It will not come. He said: application to the offender's last wish, if any. You are free, Rita. Do you think I did not notice anything? "
It will hide there. He should have understood earlier. It is absurd to think so, but not quite ridiculous. He got on his knees before her. Near the navel, he saw a mole, merry, mischievous, his fingers under the body trembled, vibrated, advanced to meet him.
Rita felt on top, a strange landscape, harmonious lay before her. She became queen at this time. Powerfully, it corrects the imperfection of the world. She had. Nothing could remove her prince ... ... Or, to him, his strength. He drew Rita to the bed of sheepskin. She saw her smile a little confused to make room for a total seriousness. She closed her eyes, feeling full of himself. Even if it suddenly changed your mind, she could no longer be free, push, stop. The threshold, she belonged entirely to the extreme forgetfulness, she knew.
Theodore, shaved and dressed in his best and only shirt, turned toward the trunk of observation. Now he could clearly see all four. Their faces crimson. Top glided Krappoff probably, the chief inspector of the district. It was a good guide, he knew the gully that formed along the coast in winter. Behind him, a stranger in civilian clothes, ha! ha! he still declined the atria of his fur hat, but yes, the villain was cold. Finally, the two soldiers, rifles on their shoulders, the last train skis for Denis.
's time to leave the fry from the tank. It is difficult for the first time, from being broken freedom. Even more difficult the second time. Impossible, the third, then death seems the issue. But then, suddenly, everything becomes light, surmountable, Benin.
"What are they doing there, they sleep? Time to wake up. The others will arrive in twenty minutes. I will do a walk from Rita to ski, it did not interfere in everything. It is preferable that they do not see it. She's gone, that's all. His name? I dunno, his name would be Tania, she came, it seems, Siberia. Moreover, they want Denis. I wake them up? Well, another five minutes. "
In the field of vision binoculars, figures from the cold waving crimson able, resembling an Egyptian bas-relief.
0 comments:
Post a Comment