had happened. After all, the case generated more questions than answers. And no one can answer these questions.
Ivan's KAMAZ disappeared from view, leaving what was left of the strange fellow traveler lying on the road. Soon the cloak rose on its own and began to collect all its body parts scattered along the road, and when there was nothing left, it slowly wandered along the side of the road and disappeared into the forest, carrying with it the unsolved mystery of its origin.
Ivan meanwhile followed his route to the city of Timashevsk.
CHAPTER 3. MEETING WITH THE WITCH
The road was long, Ivan spent all this time without sleep. I’ll get to the place and rest, so he decided and drove, rubbing his eyes tired from exertion.
Ivan drove all night and only in the morning he was in Timashevsk, called his customer, but it turned out that he had arrived earlier and now he had to pass the time waiting for loading.
«Maybe I should stop by the farm of the Fierce, about which the old man was telling on the way, and suddenly there were people there, Ivan thought. At the same time, I will swim in the river, I hope that everything will be fine without mermaids. And I don’t believe in these fairy tales at all!»
Ivan left the KAMAZ by the road in the very edges that the old man described to him. He found a path that led along the edge of the forest and turned into the forest.
For about an hour he wandered through the forest without turning off following the path, saw that there were several old houses ahead.
– That’s the same farm, though… who knows. «But I’m going to take a look,» Ivan said aloud and went to see if there were people.
He went up to every house and shouted loudly:
«Is anyone here?»
But there was a silent silence in response. And only grasshoppers in the grass chirped, jumping one after another in different directions.
Ivan went around all the houses in the area, they were completely unsuitable for living, there were no people in them. He was about to leave when he heard a hoarse, elderly voice from behind:
– Son, who are you looking for here? – grandma looked with small narrowed eyes.
– And I didn’t expect to see anyone here anymore! Ivan exclaimed and went to meet her.
«Well, I’m here temporarily, too,» she replied.
– Are you leaving? Ivan was surprised.
– We are all temporary in the world, and then we go to God. «Come with me, a nice man, I’ll treat you to dinner,» she said and waved her hand pointing to the house that stands in the distance. «You didn’t notice my house, did you?»
– He’s standing at the very edge of the village, you can’t see him.
Soon they came to a very old hut.
– Come on, you’ll be a nice guest! – she said.
– I’m Ivan. What’s your name?
– Call me Grandma, I don’t remember my name. I’ve been living in the world for a hundred years, maybe more.
– Okay, Grandma, what is the name of this village? «Maybe Fierce?» asked Ivan, entering the house.
– A farm where only one grandmother lives, call it that, but I don’t remember what it was called before. I’m sorry, darling, I’ve become old. You’d better come into the kitchen, we’ll have lunch with you now.
The furniture in the house was old, the same as her mistress. Two wooden stools, a small table, a metal bed, a small wardrobe and a sideboard for dishes. There was nothing else.
– You live modestly here.
– Why would I need anything else? It’s always not enough for you young people, but we who have seen life do little,» the old woman said, putting boiled potatoes on the table.
– Isn’t it scary for you to live here alone? Ivan asked, starting to fix the stool. He had an inventory on this account in his bosom, and it was called «there are different cases,» so one turned up.
– And who can they be afraid of here? Evil spirits or something? Yes, I can do something myself.
– Well, maybe animals? Ivan persisted.
«Enough for you, who needs me old, they’ll chew me for a long time,» and the old woman laughed, exposing her toothless mouth.
Ivan made a stool and sat down on it.
– What about the shops? Or are you all products from the forest, but from the garden of Berthe?
– Mostly from here, but from the garden. And here my son is full of everything. But once a month they bring me food from the nearest village.
I was busy eating lunch for a while. Considering that there were no shops nearby and the products were mostly from the garden and from the forest, the lunch turned out to be great. Fragrant borscht and potatoes with tomatoes and cucumbers. Even the bacon was salty, but I still didn’t understand homemade or from the store. I didn’t see any pigs near the house either.
«You go to the river right now, honey, it’s warm water,» Grandma said.
– And where is your local river located?
– As soon as you get out, I’ll show you that path.
A little more time passed and Ivan began to get ready. When I left the house and said goodbye, my grandmother showed me the path that led to the river.
«All the best to you, Ivan,» she said at parting.
– And you don’t get sick! «I’m sorry,» he said. – Maybe I’ll come visit again sometime.
Grandma stood silently and smiled.
Ivan quickly reached the river. The smooth water surface beckoned the tired traveler. He finally threw off his things, ran away and jumped off the cliff into the water. The water was warm, he lay down and forgot himself. I woke up from a ringing female voice:
– How’s the water? the young girl asked.
– And you come here to swim – Ivan was delighted. – How did you get here?
«I’m from the next village,» she said in a gentle voice.
The girl had a long, blond braid that hung over her shoulder.
– Are you probably a mermaid? An old man once told me about mermaids.
– Stupid old man. There are no mermaids. I’m telling you, I’m a local.
Ivan went ashore and came closer to the girl.
She was pretty. Fair skin, red hair looked beautiful on a chiseled figure and even a small scattering of red freckles did not spoil the face.
– Do you know that you look great? Ivan said, looking at her face and red hair.
– I agree to be your wife, we have no men in the village, and it’s not good for a young girl to be alone, I need a husband. I will be a good wife for you,» the girl smiled.
Ivan also smiled in response.
– And what’s your first name?
– Masha is my name,» she replied.
«Like a flower, Ivan-yes-Mary, we are with you,» Ivan said with a smile on his face.
– You see, maybe I’m your destiny, – and the girl melted into a smile revealing her snow-white teeth.
Ivan did not expect such a turn, at his age, after the death of his wife, he stopped even dreaming about love, and here…
– You see, I’m a trucker driver, my job is not easy today I’m here, and tomorrow I’m there. I haven’t