in response. It seemed to me that I was about to end up in hell. In a clearing covered with moss. I was remembering all the things I had to go through. And while I was remembering, I didn’t notice how I ended up in this clearing covered with moss. Everything was just as if it used to be when I was here for the first time. I looked around sharply, wanting to see my beloved next to me.
– I am here. I breathed a sigh of relief.
She was looking around as if she was trying to see something.
– What are you looking for?
– Nothing. Just looking. It is exactly as he told me. He described to me in detail each of his visits here. – Now we need to find him, no matter what.
We began our march through the underworld. Deep down, I did not really want to do all this anymore. Her, his sister occupied all my thoughts, feelings, and desires. I wanted to confess my love to her as soon as possible and get the desired answer, but I saw that it was too early, and I continued my walk with her through the underworld.
– It is so deaf here. I have a feeling that no one lives here. Does not inhabit.
– Me too. What should we do?
– If we got here, then we have a chance, it is worth a walk. I think we will definitely run into someone. When I was here, it was completely different. There was magic here. Witchcraft. Now is probably just not the time.
– Not the time. Exactly. Now is not the time. I got it this is not Mara’s time. Its summer and she is not in her rights. Therefore, we can walk here in vain.
– No. If we got here, then it is not for nothing. I did not notice myself how I objected to her, and to my surprise, she did not say anything in response. Let us move on. We went on, and the clearing led us to the same abandoned forest. I remembered how I once drank a drink here, prepared by his grandmother. My sister looked at me questioningly, and I nodded my head in agreement. We went on without asking each other unnecessary questions. Our journey turned out to be a long one and eventually we came to the bridge that I once crossed with her brother. This time I looked at her, and she looked at me. I took her hand, and she did not push mine away. A shiver ran through my whole body and I started shaking.
Despite the fact that we were in the underworld, we did not feel cold, maybe I was shaking from touching Natalia’s hand, but her hands were hot. The bridge was still guarded by the same three-headed serpent. And as soon as we stepped on it, we found ourselves in the cemetery, on the grave of our late grandmother.
Dawn was coming, and we headed for the exit. We looked at each other and understood each other by the look. Getting into the car, we breathed a sigh of relief and headed to Natasha’s apartment. This time we had coffee in her apartment, and she did not mind my presence. Oh, if only she knew about my feelings for her. I made my way to her on tiptoe, as if to the most cherished desire, and every day I got closer.
– I understand that we only have time from midnight to dawn. So we will run tonight!
– I agree! Let us run, and then let us run! Natasha smiled happily and went into the bathroom without saying a word. I was looking forward to her return. She came out of the bathroom and offered me a shower. I did not expect such an offer and delicately declined.
– You must be tired. If you want to stay here. After all, you will drive a place. I wanted to stay so much, but I did not dare, and I did not even refuse. I hardly left this apartment, promising to call and come to dinner together in the evening. She promised to cook dinner, and I was looking forward to the evening.
I arrived at the appointed time, having bought dessert for tea on the way. We had a great dinner and started dessert. During the tea party, I casually asked her what she was going to do when she got home.
– Nothing. Continue to raise children. I have two children. I will get back to my life. To my work. I will just calm down and my brother’s soul will be avenged.
– What is avenged in your concept?
– I have to meet him and find out everything. If this mysticism happened to him, then something is wrong. If there is an opportunity to find out and fix everything, then it should be done.
– I agree with you. I think so too. We bumped into each other with tea and, having finished, headed for the exit.
We ran to the cemetery as if it was our meeting place. We did everything together, as if we were twins. I loved it, and I wanted so much to know how she felt about me. Stepping over the grave fence in due time, we immediately found ourselves in the same clearing. As soon as we got there, we got to our feet and ran. When we reached the bridge, we made an abrupt stop and looked at each other, took a decisive step onto the bridge and ran forward, gaining speed. To our surprise, the snake did not pay attention to us, perhaps we did not pose a danger to him, or were welcome guests. After running across the bridge, we stopped and looked back. It was not like before, and it was not like a few minutes ago.
Nothing was visible. A thick and dark fog covered everything that was left behind. There was nothing to see ahead either. We could only wait. After waiting a bit, we continued on our way without looking. We did not know where we were going, so I took her hand. I did not feel that she was worried. It seemed to me that I was more worried than she was. I was remembering a route that we were following now. And I was uneasy, there should have been abandoned houses here. Only no one lived in them in winter, and in summer, it was not known what was going on in these houses.
– Are you sure you want to continue on your way?
– Yes, I do.
– Do you know that we may not come back?
– Where does this information come from?
– Here, not far away, there is a dwelling of Koshchei himself. Do not laugh, but it is true.
– And how long is this dwelling nearby?
– I do not know, but somewhere here. And it looks scary.
We made a stop, and froze in anticipation. The fog abruptly disappeared, and we found ourselves inside a room. After a quick look around, I realized that this is Koshchei’s dwelling. Quickly taking Natasha by the hand, I wanted to hold her, as close to me as possible, but it did not work out. She just stayed close.
– I know where I am. Do not protect me.
I felt uncomfortable with my actions, and I did not relax my hand freely, but she did not let go of mine and it turned out that I was under her care. Koshchei’s dwelling resembled an abandoned treasury. It was like an underground crypt, where mostly skulls were located. The exterior of this dwelling did not correspond to the interior. These skulls were lying on the chests, the chests were closed, and it looked like they were being guarded, but it is not known from whom. This darkness and the smell of damp earth created an already depressing atmosphere. The owner himself was not in sight, but my heart had a premonition of something wrong. From the look of it, I realized that this is a storage room, and the main chambers are further away.
– I wonder why we are here.
– They want to decorate the chests with us. What is not clear?
– If we are here, then he knows that we are here.
– It makes sense.
– Yes, but that is not why I came here. I need my brother.
– It makes sense. How do we get out of here?
– It is time for us to wake up already. Why is everything so difficult? How do we find him?
– «I don’t know. We resolutely stepped forward, hoping to find a way out. The door was locked, and I was seized with horror, I realized that we were trapped. I did not like this turn of events at all, and I already regretted contributing to these events. I was no