Collection of mysticism. + author’s biography including essays about books. Tsvetana Alеkhina
in a clearing.
There was a war between ghosts in the clearing. Little demons and bats did not participate in it. They took the position of the audience. For them, it was a continuation of the holiday. There were no gods in sight; I knew they were here somewhere, watching what was happening. I was looking for my grandmother, looking from side to side.
– Don’t fuss. It is too early. I looked around and saw my friend. Mara is hiding her. When she gives it to you, you will need to move to another world in the shortest minutes. You do not have to hide. They will find you anyway. The ghosts were fighting each for their place. There was hatred between them for each other. There was no point in this rebellion; everyone will take his or her place later anyway.
– But what about the grandmother?
– And your grandmother. I remembered my friend’s words again, «that everything will be fine.» His words came true and completely relied on him.
In an instant, everything stopped and everyone lined up in a row. Everyone lined up in the order in which they came to the holiday. Souls accompanied by evil spirits. Then the trolls, followed by the servants. A view of the Kalinov Bridge opened and a very slow procession began. Everything happened here in a matter of seconds. The pictures changed their screensavers as if someone was flipping through a book. There was nothing to plan or think about, everything changed every second.
The view of the Kalinov Bridge was clearly visible, but not to the end. I remembered this episode as I watched this procession from the other side of the bridge. Moreover, he remembered the three-headed serpent. I asked my ghost friend, «Why are we here?» If the oak tree is still there, on the other side of the bridge.
– It does not matter. They are about to move from the halls to their abode, and you need to get to yours. The oak tree will remain in its place. You do not need to get into their abode.
– I did not understand anything. But he silently agreed.
The trolls began their march, and behind them stood a huge regiment of souls. The souls were indignant. They were not happy with the outcome, but they had no choice but to walk in silence. Each of them looked back and looked in my direction. Maybe they did not want to help me as much as they wanted to save themselves. Deep down, I felt sorry for them.
– Don’t forget that this is a resident of evil. There is no one to feel sorry for. I looked at the ghost. Maybe he is right, I thought. It was the turn of the souls, and they were the last to complete this procession. I understood that I would have to say goodbye to my friend now. It made me sad.
– Don’t be sad. Now the most interesting thing will begin. He never lied, and I believed him. The souls were finishing their procession, and my friend disappeared. The picture changed its screensaver, as it was. And, I was left alone. I was in the same clearing where I had already been several times. At the place where the fire once burned, there was a smooth green cover. Everything was bare and empty. Even the green foliage did not save me from the fear of loneliness. There had just been a continuation of the Sabbath, and now I was standing alone and I had no one to lean on.
I saw my grandmother and ran up to her. But it turned out to be a vision. I heard hysterical laughter and realized that she was laughing at me. I began to look around looking for her with my eyes. Silence surrounded me. I could not stand it and called her.
– Mara. Come out. Show yourself to my eyes. In response, I heard the echoes of my own echo. —Are you afraid of me?» After the spoken words, she appeared before me in all her glory. I looked at her and I was not afraid. I have lost all my fear. I already had nothing to lose. She came up to me in a tight and I felt the icy cold that came from her. Not daring to touch her, I raised my head and looked into her eyes. Knowing that no one dares to do this, I did it. Mara did not expect such a turn of events turned into snow and began to rush around the clearing. I did not know why I had angered her so much, but she did not like it. Perhaps the only explanation for this was that I was not afraid of her, but on the contrary, I wanted to be closer to her, and her beauty fascinated me. Forgetting about my fear, I stood rooted to the spot and watched the snowflakes. I completely forgot about my grandmother.
This event distracted my thoughts for a moment, I completely forgot where I was, and that Mara has a jealous husband-a magician. And the fact that I will soon run out of the effect of the drink and about the safety of the grandmother. I was waiting for her to act, but she turned into a blizzard and disappeared. Koschei appeared instead of her, and at the click of two fingers, he gave me the dead soul of my grandmother. He left her on the green grass and disappeared. She was lying motionless. Although she was already dead, but this time she was dead even in hell. She was at a young age, looking like a young witch, I had already seen her like this at a holiday. Her appearance was like a doll with long black hair. I was afraid to approach her, and even more so to touch her. The effect of the drink was ending, and I began to feel chills. I did not pay attention to it, referring to the stress I suffered. Realizing that she was already dead, I did not know what to do with her.
I remembered the ghost’s words that it was necessary to get to the oak tree. I picked her up and carried her to the tree. She was lighter than a mannequin was. She was really like a doll. I put her under a tree and took her by the hand. Looking at the ass, I saw my real grandmother and I felt sick. I realized that everything was in vain. I did not know if it was she or not. No longer feeling afraid, I went to meet her. Coming closer, the grandmother turned into snowflakes and began to circle with laughter. I sat down on my knees and fell into despair. I had no choice but to leave this world of the dead and go to my dimension. I went to the oak tree, sat down and leaned my back against its trunk, closed my eyes and waited for my fate. My expectation did not justify my hopes; I was still in the same place. Going over my thoughts, I thought that the effect of the drink had ended, or had I already died? Alternatively, has he gone mad? I could not figure out what was wrong with me. Everyone has already disappeared somewhere, I am the only one left. Where am I? In addition, what am I? I did not know what to do.
I ran away from the oak tree, sat down on my knees and began pounding on the grass with my fist. – Where are you all? Tears rolled out of my eyes, one, two, and three. And I started crying. As soon as the tears touched the ground at the same moment, everything was covered with ice, including me. The ice covered my head, and I became an iceman.
– There is no place for tears here. Mara was circling above me like a whirlwind. I did not feel cold, but I felt immured, and I could not move.
Koschei appeared and brought my grandmother. We met her eyes, and I realized that it was she. My grandmother was waiting for the same fate as me. She was also covered with ice. I looked at her and my heart sank. Forgetting that she was dead and did not feel the cold, I treated her as if she was alive. I did not know how to help her and began to remember what this goddess was afraid of. Remembering the words of the ghost, «the only thing that can destroy them is sunlight.» Yes, I thought it is not real. Sunlight does not shine here. «There is no place for tears here.» It dawned on me, tears that is what can save us from it at least for a moment. I tried to cry, but I could not. Tears did not roll out of my eyes. And I didn’t know how to call them. Moreover, I remembered another phrase she said recently – «there is no place for tears, kindness and love.» Love that is what should help. And I screamed with all my might, «Grandma, I love you! I screamed until the ice melted and my grandmother turned into a ghost.
Tears rolled out of my eyes, and touched the ice with which I was covered. The ice collapsed with a crash and ice fragments remained. I ran up to Grandma and hugged her. But she turned out to be a ghost, and I felt the air.
– Don’t fly away. Wait. I will help you. I promised you. My grandmother smiled sweetly and became a ghost, like a cellophane bag. But even of all the cellophane bags present that have been here recently, I would immediately recognize her. – Let’s go quickly to the oak tree.