Chapter 10. Beginning of the end
- There is a weak activity!
- Mmm... shopping center. Brightly. – Rubbing his eyes, Vlad said.
- "I wonder if I've already died or is this the last dream?" thought Vlad. – Although, what difference does it make? – Said Vlad and fell on his back.
Warmth spread all over my body, and my soul became quiet and calm, because now there are no problems, responsibilities and all that was pressing.
- Indicators are stabilizing.
- Can you connect it?
- yes.
- Vlad, can you hear me?
Sighing heavily, Vlad replied:
- yes.
- "Alive" - Thought Volkova. – How are you feeling?
- It's like being born anew. What happened to me?
- "I would also like to know about it" – Thought Volkova - There was a failure in the system, what did you see?
"Nothing at first, then dreams.
- And what was in those dreams?
- Everything that happened to me, I lived this feeling for the second time, and once I saw the day through Julia's eyes.
- I see, – Said Volkova and exhaled with relief.
- What should I do?
- Not yet what.
Then Vlad put his hands behind his head and crossed his legs.
- How are his indicators?
- It's fine.
- Are we going to pull it out?
- - Wait a bit.
Volkova looked at Kristina, she was sitting with her face buried in the monitors.
- "Idiot" - Thought Volkova. – Kostya, can we pull it out?
- I think so.
- Pulling out? Maxim asked.
- Wait. Kristina, run the check.
Kristina silently started tapping on the keys
"It's okay," Kristina said in a dejected voice.
- OK. Pull him out.
- I'm starting. Maxim said.
- Come on, – said Kostya and began to look even more intently at the monitors.
- O. Everything started to get dark again. Tired. – Vlad only managed to say before everything around disappeared.
- Passed the first stage.
- "Good," thought Volkova, wiping her hands on the edge of her robe.
- The second…
Everyone held their breath.
- "Well, well"
- Passed!
Volkova exhaled and said:
— great.
- Third and... welcome to this world! You can open the capsule.
Volkova went to the capsule and opened it.
"Alive?"
- Sort of.
- Help?
- Yes, no thanks.
- The thirteenth was restored, which means your plan is working.
- yes. It remains to wait for the end of the project "Clear Sky"
- Kristina, what was that today?
Kristina was silent, her head down.
- Christina.
Kristina clenched her fists and bit her lip trying to hold back tears
- Kristina, I'm asking you again. What happened today.
And then Kristina couldn't stand it.
- And it's my fault that you mock them!? You're electrocuting them, but what do they feel there? And the result is one death, they are just like us!
Kristina continued to scream. Volkova listened to her, Kristina did not calm down. Volkova got up from the table, taking her mug. Approaching Kristina, who was already red as a tomato, Volkova splashed water from a mug on her, Kristina immediately fell silent.
- Calmed down?
Vika stood with her mouth open.
- Before you yell at the whole building, think with your head what the consequences would be if he died.
Kristina remained silent, moving away a little from the shock, she said:
"I'm... sorry.
- - If you want to help objects, then make sure that they do not experience pain.
Kristina nodded her head.
- Go dry yourself.
Kristina turned around and walked to the exit.
- Wait. Volkova called out to her.
Kristina stopped
- Apologize to Kostya and Maxim.
- OK.
Meanwhile, Vlad was lying and thinking about everything that was happening to him, he had an extremely bright palette of emotions: anger overcame fear, hatred overcame anger. Then Julia came into the room and saw a picture of Vlad lying flat on the floor staring at the ceiling. She walked up to him and hung over him.
"Alive?"
- More likely yes than no. Are you real or is this a prolonged last dream.
- yes.
- So I'm dead.
- why?
- Because I would have answered the same way, which means it's a dream.
- Get up, come on. – Julia said, holding out her hand.
Vlad took Yulia by the hand, and leaned his other hand on the floor. Getting to his feet he said:
- It's been a long time.
- Well, almost.
- What do you mean?
- It doesn't matter. How are you feeling?
- It's fine until I got up.
Julia spread her hands
- Will you hug me?
Vlad slightly tilted his head to the side and made an uncomprehending face.
- Of course I can
Vlad hugged Yulia.
- But still, what happened to me?
- If they didn't tell you, then it wasn't important.
- It makes sense. Let go, or you'll crush it.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Yes, it's fine.
- Okay, I'll go, good night.
- Good night.
Yulia left the ward, and Vlad opened the bedside table and took out a coin from there, sitting on the bed, he began to throw it.
- "Alive" - Vlad thought, catching the coin.
The next day, Yuna came to Vlad.
- hello.
- hello.
- How are you.
- Well, what about you?
- Okay, you're called to the office.
- Where is the car parked?
- yes.
Vlad threw back his head and sighed heavily
- Something's wrong.
- Yes, no.
Entering the office, Volkova immediately approached Vlad
- Ready?
- yes. – Vlad said, and in his mind: "Do I have a choice?"
- Okay, then let's go.
They walked up to the car.
– Did you take pills?
- Not yet.
- Here you go.
Volkova handed over two pills.
- Two?
- It's necessary.
Vlad took them and drank them all at once.
- Water?
- No, thanks.
Vlad lay down in the capsule, Volkova closed it and went to the control room.
- Launch it.
The car hummed
- "How disgusting it buzzes," thought Volkova.
Vlad opened his eyes
- Ah! It's so bright, I can't get used to it.
- Do you hear Vlad?
- yes.
- Okay, how are you feeling?
- It's fine.
- Then get ready, now you will represent.
- Yes, I'm ready.
- The pulse has risen. – Christina said
- Don't worry.
- Easy to say.
- Inhale, exhale. Imagine something easy.
- Easy? Hm.
Vlad began to think, but nothing came into his head because it's not exactly clear what fits under "easy", so he decided.
- "A mug of tea"
Vlad closed his eyes and imagined a mug of tea in his hand, he felt that something appeared in his hand, opening his eyes he saw a mug of tea.
- "Let's try." - Taking a sip, he made a displeased face. - "M-yes. It was necessary to clarify that sugar was needed."
- How is he?
- It's fine.
- You can check the state of the brain.
- Now.
- The hippocampus is in tension, and in a very strong one, – Said Kristina in a thoughtful voice.
- The hippocampus?
- "Yes, it can't be," Thought Volkova.
- Vlad can you imagine something calming?
- Probably.
Vlad closed his eyes and imagined the sea. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was standing on the water, then he imagined a small island. When he looked around again, a smile appeared on his face.
- "I've always wanted to see it live."
- What's there?
- The pulse has increased slightly, but the hippocampus is also tense.
- - How strong is it?
- One percent higher than normal.
- "Percentage? Not enough, but it can be dangerous for him. What should I do?" - Have you collected enough data?
- yes.
- Maybe that's enough for today? Maxim suggested.
- Yes, I agree, otherwise we will overexert ourselves?
Volkova thought about it.
- - You have two months to return object 013 to its normal state.
- But you understand that this is at the level of the "Theory of wormholes".
- Professor Volkova, if I'm not mistaken, you were extremely smart at the institute, and you should understand what can happen if object 013 dies or is unable to by the specified deadline.
"H-good. – Volkova said through her teeth.
- You can go now.
Volkova silently turned around and left the office.
- Are you sure 013 is ready? After all, more than fifteen years have passed.
- yes. If we replace it. Soon, plan 23-C can be put into action, there is not much left, as soon as the Clear Sky project is completed, we will be able to finish what we started.
A month has passed since the last events. Vlad also got into the car almost every day, and in his spare time he read and played chess. Meanwhile, the friends continued to study and the college lived its life as if nothing was happening over their heads. Everyone just resigned, except for a few people.
- Listen, the new year is coming soon. – said Misha, rocking on a chair with his head thrown back.
- Aha. – answered Valera, supporting his falling head with his hand.
- Are you feeling bad?
- I don't sleep well.
- Are you worried about Vlad?
- Mg.
- Yes, everything is fine with him.
- Just remember what he did to the guard?
- Oh, you mean that. Do you think the guard from the day before last also quit because of him?
- I have no idea. But when I saw him all over my body, goosebumps ran, and when he jumped up, my whole life flashed before my eyes.
- I thought after that you wouldn't talk to him at all and you'd walk around a kilometer.
- I know him well, I immediately realized that something was wrong with him. That's why I don't hold a grudge.
- I see. Let's talk about something good?
- For example?
- Well, for example, how will you celebrate the New Year?
- I don't know, my parents are visiting, and I'm staying at home alone, and you?
- In general, I wanted to go home, but there are no tickets anymore. So I also get one.
- M-yeah.
There was silence in the room.
- I'm going to drink some water, – Said Valera
- Come on, the main thing is not to confuse it with the refrigerator, otherwise after you I have to buy half the store.
- Yes, yes.
When he reached the kitchen, Valera began to pour water and thought:
- "I wonder how Vlad will celebrate the New Year?"
Misha, in turn, was lying on the bed staring at the phone
- Listen – I heard from the kitchen
- Eh?
- Maybe we should go to the bar?
- Where to?
- To the bar!
- - Did you overheat your head under hot water?
- Fuck you, a. We've been allowed for a long time, and we can't even have a drink once a year.
- And I didn't know that you found a treasure.
- What do you mean?
- Well, since you got the money to hang out in bars.
- Listen, I'm not offering you an apartment to mortgage and drink to unconsciousness. Just to celebrate the new year.
Misha thought about it. He is alone this new year, and Valera, too, especially once a year. Having weighed everything, Misha said:
- Okay, convinced
- And there's no reason to yell like that, I'm already here, – Said Valera, coming into the room with glasses of water.
- Have you filled up to the brim again?
- Don't be greedy.
- If you spill it, you'll wipe it yourself!
- Got it, got it, don't yell like that.
And now the new year has come. It was snowing hard outside. The streets were decorated with various lanterns and toys. The college had finished classes, and it was completely empty except for the fifth floor. Everyone had a New Year's mood.
- "It seems today is the new year," Vlad thought, standing at the window.
He had long since lost track of what date it was, and he wasn't really interested in that either. The door to the ward opened and from it came the sound of:
- Vlad, today is the new year.
He turned to the door. It was Volkova.
- Yes, I guessed.
- I see. Look, I can guess what you want, but still. – Volkova paused as if choosing her words. "But what do you want?"
- I honestly don't know. I would like to have at least a little bit of everything, and if we summarize, the answers.
- Answers?
- yes. What's going on here, when will it end, when will I return to my usual "gray" life, but at least who am I?
- I understand you perfectly, but I can't do that, but I can give you this.
Volkova approached Vlad
"Here you go," she said and held out the phone. – I think you need it now.
- thanks. Vlad said and smiled.
- Happy New Year to you the thirteenth – Said Volkova, walking to the exit. Ahem – She stopped and thought for a second and said:
"I'm sorry, Vlad," she said as she left
- No, it's fine, call it what you want. – He said without looking up from the phone.
Volkova grinned and said:
- OK.
Volkova almost left the ward.
- Wait! Vlad called out to her.
- M? What is it?
Looking up from the phone and turning his head to Volkova, Vlad said:
- Thank you for everything. And Happy New Year.
Volkova smiled
- thanks.
Volkova left somewhere, and Vlad began to call.
- Hello. – It was heard on the other end.
- Hi, Mom.
Vlad began to talk about what was happening to him, softening the corners. Without finishing something, sometimes lying so that there was a feeling that everything was more or less, and he told the latest events so crumpled that it seemed as if nothing special had happened.
- ...Something like that. Vlad finished. – And you, how?
Vlad talked for about an hour.
- I see, – Said Vlad in a cheerful voice, – I'll probably go Happy New Year to you, Mom.
- You too, I'll see you soon
- Of course, for now.
- Bye.
Vlad hung up.
- "There's an hour left until the New Year," Vlad thought, looking at his watch.
He continued to look out the window, different thoughts crawled into his head, intertwining with each other.
- hello. – There was a voice that interrupted all the reasoning.
- Hi. Yul. – Vlad answered without turning around
- Did you recognize it by the voice?
- Yes, and not only, only you could come here at this time.
- You're smart.
- Well, there is something. By the way, what are you doing here?
- I came to congratulate you. People usually wish each other a Happy New Year.
- I see.
- What are you doing?
- I'm looking out the window, there's nothing else I can do here.
Julia hesitated for a while.
- Well, then Happy New Year turns out.
- thanks. Happy New Year to you too.
- thanks.
There was silence, Julia continued to stand in the doorway, and Vlad looked out the window.
- Do you want to say something?
- Yes, no.
Vlad sighed and said:
- You can come here.
Julia went to the window.
- Look. Vlad said, nodding out the window.
Julia came closer and then Vlad added:
- Is it beautiful?
- yes. – Yulia answered in a joyful voice
Vlad looked at Yula. She looked like a child, her eyes were shining with joy.
- "Rejoices and behaves like a person. Although she says she's a clone, but there's more humanity in her than in... me? Although who am I? After all, am I the same as them or not?" thought Vlad.
- What are you thinking about? Julia interrupted his thoughts again.
- Yes, about everything.
- And yes, I haven't forgotten yet.
Yulia began to rummage through her pockets and took out an envelope from one of them.
"Here," she said, handing it to Vlad.
Vlad took it and asked:
"What's that?"
- Yuna gave this to you.
- "Interesting."
- Listen, is it true that they give gifts in the New Year?
- yes.
- What would you like?
- Answers – Vlad answered without hesitation.
- Answers? Julia asked, not understanding.
- Yes answers, and you?
— I don't know. I never thought about it, and I accidentally found out about the New Year.
- - Have you ever marked it?
- no.
- Because…
Vlad did not have time to say, as Julia immediately replied:
- Yes.
Vlad didn't say anything
Meanwhile , Diesperov and Arshin:
- When it's finished – Said Arshin walking down the corridor.
- In the middle of January. – The builder who was walking nearby answered.
- OK.
After some time, Arshin and Diesperov met and they had a conversation.
- In the middle of January they will finish and we will have a month left.
- I know.
- That's good, but how do you explain it to the committee to the committee?
- No way. I won't tell them.
Arshin sighed heavily, but did not say anything.
"H-it's cold, damn it, where the h-wears it," Kostya wailed, rubbing his hands and stepping from one foot to the other.
- Kostya!
- M?
Turning his head, Kostya saw Maxim coming to meet him, he was waving his hand, and Kristina was walking next to him.
"I think I know why he took so long," Kostya thought.
Maxim and Kristina have reached the Bone
- hello.
"Ah-aha," Kostya said, his teeth chattering.
Maxim held out his hand.
- And-you go to-to-the bathhouse. My hands don't move.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
- Listen, let's talk inside, I ask you.
The guys nodded and they went into the bar
- S-s-sanya, sanya! – Having reached the bar, Kostya said.
Sasha came out from behind the curtains.
- What are you doing?
- Z-froze. So far, I've waited for these.
"It's beautiful here," Kristina said.
- And there are a lot of people today. Maxim said, walking slowly to the bar.
There were a lot of people in the bar, waiters were running all over the hall, and only the bar counter was free.
When he reached the bar Maxim said:
- hello.
- hello. Are you with a girl today?
- a P-p-friend and a k-k-colleague. – Kostya said without warming up yet.
- I see. Sasha – Holding out his hand to Kristina, he said.
- Christina.
- Very nice
- me too.
- Well, what will you drink?
- What you can warm up with.
- Kostya alcohol does not warm. Maxim said and immediately got hit on the head with gloves.
- Ah! Yes, for what?
- At least don't get smart now.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry. This is the job.
- Here, it warms well – Said Kostya and put the bottle on the bar.
- thanks.
- Please. There are no tables right now, so you'll have to sit here for now.
- Yes, nothing is more convenient here. Maxim said, twirling the bottle to figure out how to open it.
- A new one? Kostya asked.
- For you always. – Sasha said, either sarcastically or truthfully.
- Thank you, – Said Kostya, – You should turn your bar into a restaurant, – he added.
- Well, maybe in the New Year, – Said Sasha and disappeared behind the curtains.
- Listen, are we really in a bar, and not in a restaurant? Valera asked
- Exactly. This is the fifth time you've asked. – Misha answered, studying the menu
- - I just can't believe it.
- Pour it on, it's New Year's Eve soon.
- I'm pouring, I'm pouring
- Listen, why aren't you going home? Vlad asked
- And what to do there?
- I don't know, I'd like to go home now.
- Do you know what I want most of all?
- no.
- Become like you.
- What do you mean?
- A man. Even though I look like you, something is wrong.
- I don't know who I am anymore. There are too many secrets. Do they even call me "Cursed"
- "Cursed"?
- I heard it from the guards.
- Can you lift your sleeve?
Vlad lifted his sleeve there was a tattoo
- What is it? Yuna asked.
- A tattoo or something, I've had it for as long as I can remember.
Yuna smiled.
"Something funny?"
- No, no, I'm just glad.
- What?
- Well, this is my most unusual New Year.
- I see. - Vlad looked at his watch – There are 10 minutes left.
- Not much at all.
A few hours before that.
- The thirty-first of December. And I'm stuck here. Masha said.
- Listen, look for the positive sides. – Vika tried to cheer her up.
- What are these?
- Well, you don't need to cook for the table.
- An optimist.
- I'm trying. Everyone's probably already gathered there, let's go?
- And as soon as you can drink. Not even the way the bosses approved of it.
- So the bosses will be there too.
- It makes sense.
- Okay, let's go.
- Listen guys, before the New Year came, I wanted to apologize for what happened then.
- Listen, forget it – Said Kostya
- Vo-vo – Maxim said and held out a glass. – We have too nervous work – he added.
- So we are not angry, the age is not the same anymore – Kostya added and smiled.
- To be honest, this is also my most unusual New Year, – said Vlad.
Immediately after these words, explosions of fireworks were heard.
- And now, for sure, Happy New Year to you, – Said Vlad.
Julia smiled and said:
- You too.
- Well, the New Year has come. – said Arshin
- Yes. Diesperov answered thoughtfully.
- Happy New Year to you Mish. – said Valera, raising his glass.
"You too," Misha said and also raised his glass.
- Happy New Year guys. – Christina said
- Happy New Year.
- Happy New Year to you – Said Kostya
- Sasha! – He shouted.
Sasha came out from behind the curtains.
- What are you shouting?
- Happy New Year, I say.
- And already? Well, you too.
- Dear colleagues, I congratulate you on the coming of the New Year, I wish you a successful work…
- Listen, when will the banquet be? Vika asked in a whisper
- Soon. Masha replied.
- Guys, how do you think Alice spends the New Year?
- Volkov? – Having emptied the glass , Maxim asked
- Well, yes.
— I don't know.
- Max, so you ask her. Kostya said, taking a sip from his glass.
"It's like I know where she lives."
Kristina had a smile on her face
- What are you doing?
- Just like that. Max turn around.
- And? What?
Maxim turned around and saw that Volkova was standing behind him.
- Oh! Hello.
- Hello again Maxim.
Maxim began to stutter, all the words flew out of his head.
- Relax outside of work, I'm not your boss.
- H-well, and you are…
- I have no one to celebrate the New Year with, so I came here.
- A. Well, then will you join?
- Well, if the others don't mind.
- Sanya! Kostya shouted
- Don't yell! – said Sasha coming out. – What are you yelling at!? You're not in the woods!
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Give me another glass.
Sasha sighed heavily, but took out a glass.
- Listen... - Maxim said turning to Volkova.
- Max, let's go outside of work on "you". I'm only a couple of years older.
- For a couple? – Maxim thought about it
- Max, don't even dare to count! Kostya shouted.
- I hope everything will be better in the New Year. – Said Vlad
- me too.
- And me. – It was heard from the door.
Yulia and Vlad turned their heads, Yuna was standing there. She approached the guys.
- Happy New Year. – She said and smiled.
- And you, too, – Said Julia and also smiled.
- Happy New Year, Yuna, and this? – Said Vlad showing the envelope.
- You'll read it later.
- Okay.
Vlad put the envelope away, thought about it and said:
- You know, the only thing I can give you is…
Vlad went up to Julia and Yuna and hugged them.
- Thank you for everything.
Two weeks have passed since the New Year. All this time Vlad, Yuna and Yulia were tested and put in the car, but one day. Vlad was sitting on the bed and reading a book, when Volkova came to him and gave him his clothes.
- Here, get your clothes on.
Vlad got dressed and left the ward.
- What's going on?
- You'll find out soon, come out, there's a car there, get in it, and then you'll understand everything yourself.
Vlad went down to the first floor. Valera and Misha were already standing there.
- hello! – They both shouted, and ran up to Vlad.
- Well, we congratulate you on the end! Valera shouted.
- Guys, guys, calm down, let me show you something.
The guys reached the turnstile and Vlad nodded at the car
- Do you see the car?
- Well, yes.
- yes.
- I have a suspicion that it's behind me.
- What!? Valera shouted
"I don't know.
- And what are you going to do?
- I'll sit down, there's no choice, otherwise those guys with machine guns will help me.
Friends lowered their heads
- So this is not the end?
- Probably not.
Vlad looked at his friends who were in a low mood.
- Don't tear my soul out, come here, let's at least hug, otherwise there's little or nothing.
Friends hugged
- At least let me know about you, – Said Valera
- Of course, otherwise you'll come looking for me
"Naturally," Misha Said.
- Okay, let me go.
Vlad came out of college, took a deep breath and got into the car, the door was closed behind him, and his friends stood and waved at him until the car disappeared from sight.