Напряжение / Voltage: Глава 21

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Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:09

Closer to the center, all traces of the war had disappeared, as if the victor had saved for himself the beautiful five-story buildings with their green pitched roofs and rows of green plants under the windows. Only traces of the lime that had not been washed off the asphalt, dragged in by hundreds of feet, reminded us that whole neighborhoods lay in ruins very close by.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:33

I also saw the locals for the first time. I wanted to say hello, but a married couple laden with bags preferred to cross to the other side of the street, and Valentine wouldn't let me catch up with them. The closer we got to the station, though, the faster the number of possible interlocutors increased, only I didn't dare approach them. People tried to stay in large groups and looked threateningly at those who wanted to approach them.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:35

"Why aren't they in cars?" I asked the uncle, noticing the bags in the hands of everyone walking slowly down the broad avenue. Even the children were dragging their heavy satchels on their backs silently, not complaining or crying.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:37

"All their property now belongs to the victors," Valentine replied indifferently. "The losers were left with their freedom and what they could carry in their hands."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:39

"But they weren't fighting, were they?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:39

"Someone has to pay for the war," he shrugged.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:40

There are so many abandoned cars on the road... And the houses don't look abandoned at all, even the curtains are in place.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:40

"I'd burn it to keep it out of the enemy's hands," I gritted through clenched teeth.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:40

"Damage to property is punishable by the gallows. This is closely monitored."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:41

"Who?" I wiggled my head, not seeing anyone.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:42

"Satellites," Valentine pointed to the sky. "Also, drones, sometimes a personal presence. We were lucky to enter the city from a ruined part through an Internal Troops post. The ruins are no use to anyone."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:43

The conversation faded away, replaced by the general mournful march of the steadily growing crowd, marching in a measured, unhurried fashion. All that was left to do was to turn my head to the side.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:44

"Maxim!" said Valentine, trying to catch hold of his shoulder.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:45

"I'll be right there," I dodged, promising him, eyeing the interesting scene outside the car park of a pretty three-story building with curiosity.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:45

A boy of about six was puffing on the side of the bumper and part of the bonnet of the snow-white SUV, stubbornly showing that he was not going to let go of the five-ton vehicle, despite the entreaties and exhortations of a slightly overweight man, hopelessly urging Fedor to let go of the SUV.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:46

The boy would have been ripped off and even carried away a long time ago, but both arms of the parent were already occupied by two frightened girls, hardly older than the boy. He could have put them on the ground or put them on one shoulder, and the man had tried to do it twice in front of me, but both times he stopped at the sound of the girls' tantrums; they wouldn't let go of their father. It was a stalemate, and someone knew it, judging by the sorrowful look on his face. And here I am!

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:47

"Do you need any help?" I coughed into my palm, indicating myself.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:48

Two pairs of eyes looked at me suspiciously and another pair full of hope.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:50

"My son, Fyodor," the man said embarrassedly, pointing with his chin towards the car. "You know, the stress, the worries, the nervous tension and..."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:51

"Do you need help ripping him off?" I asked.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:51

"Yes," the man exhaled with relief. "Just be gentle, I beg of you."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:55

"Relax, I'm a professional," I rubbed my hands together, assessing the work front. "I remember ripping a dog off a sausage once, and the electrician was barely hurt."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:56

"W-what electrician?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:56

"He was eating sausage," I clarified.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:57

Fedor immediately spread his legs a little wider and grasped the solid metal of the rims till his palms turned white. Well, well, well

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:57

"Maxim!" a disgruntled Valentine caught up with me, so I had to shift abruptly to phase one - negotiation! With Laika, by the way, it didn't work.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:58

"Hi, my name is Maxim," I introduced myself in a friendly manner, taking a seat next to Fyodor.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:58

He panted more and defiantly turned his head away.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 17:59

"Nice car," I praised, not in the least bit deceiving. "It's big. It's beautiful. Can I pet it?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:00

Fyodor glanced at me with a suspicious look in his eye.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:00

"Well, not is not," I raised my hands conciliatory. "Why are you holding her?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:01

"My car!" Fyodor grumbled categorically, squeezing into its surface. "My mother gave it to me."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:02

"I see. So you don't want it taken away from you, right?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:02

"Well," Fyodor sniffed, still looking at me incredulously.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:03

"And as long as you hold it, no one can take it away," I smiled, understandingly voicing his wish. "Good for you! But what if Daddy and the sisters get stolen while you're holding the car?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:04

Fyodor fidgeted nervously, trying not to let go of the car and look back. His father prudently stepped back behind him. Soon the lad did remove one hand to look around.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:06

"There's a suspicious-looking man standing nearby. What if he takes them for himself? What's more important to you, eh?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:07

With a swift movement, Fyodor slid to his father's feet, clutching at them with his hands and glancing anxiously at Valentine.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:08

"I told you," I stood up, shook my hands off carelessly, and looked at the man with a sense of superiority. He was, however, looking at his kid, so I made a face at the girls on his shoulders for full satisfaction. "All the best!"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:08

I love doing good things!

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:09

"Erm, young man..." came a hysterical sound from behind me.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:09

"What now?"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:10

The father of the family shifted his gaze from his feet to mine and, with even more panic than before, whispered loudly:

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:10

"I can't move!"

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:11

Fyodor's grip was uncommonly good, so he secured his father securely - no one would steal him.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:11

Hm...

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:11

"Help me!" The man swayed after another movement and almost fell over on his side.

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:11

"All right," I sighed, turning back to the wayward family. "Fyodor! You can't see anything like that."

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:12

Fyodor looked at me, waiting for further instructions. A clever lad!

Camrad_RIP 09.04.23 в 18:12