The bandit raised his head with difficulty, looking at Alexander from under half-closed eyelids.
- Do you think I will betray Dusk? You seem to have gone completely crazy. - he grinned.
Alexander stood up abruptly, leaned towards the bandit and hit him in the face.
- I asked a question.
Blood flowed from the corner of the bandit's mouth, but he grinned again.
- Do you think this will make me talk? You're wrong. Our people weren’t so pressed in the nineties, so fuck you.
For some reason, Alexander was greatly amused by the bandit’s bravado. He moved closer and showed his bare arm to the man. To his surprise, the veins on the guy’s limbs lightened slightly, and then a silver haze escaped from his fingertips. The young man grabbed the man’s head and, holding it, began to bring the swaying flame closer to his eye.
“You’ve already been there and you understand that death is no longer the end point.” No. This is just the beginning of an opportunity to return. I don’t know what you’ve already seen there, but believe me, when I burn out a part of your soul, you won’t be able to find peace even in another world. I will burn your eyes out in both realities and this is just a small part of what I want to do with your soul before I send you to the afterlife. And you really think that earthly devotion means something to the monsters on the other side of death. Funny.
The man became hysterical, trying to protect his eyes and soul from the silvery haze that was a centimeter away. He began to speak, stuttering and faltering.
- Twilight... His real name is Mikhail. Before he became the head of a gang, he was an ordinary guy from the neighborhood. But he was insanely smart and cunning. While he was little, he always took part in various frauds and engaged in petty theft. But when he grew up, his appetites increased. He began to gather people around him, and soon created one of the most powerful criminal groups in the city.
Alexander listened attentively, but he was interested not so much in Twilight’s past life as in what connected him and Alexander.
- He said that he had an older brother. My brother served in the army and died. Twilight blamed the state and the authorities for this. It was after this that he began to hate the system and took up business. He controlled drugs, weapons, even people.
- And where do I fit into this story? - Alexander asked without losing patience.
The bandit swallowed his saliva, still seeing the guy's hand glowing with silver in front of his face.
- When you returned and began to take revenge for your parents, you quickly became a stone in Dusk’s shoe. You ruined his affairs, his people were arrested because of you. But most of all, he hated you because you killed his best friend. This is the authority where you carried out the massacre...
- You speak confusedly, intertwining everything you heard. - Alexander said decisively.
- I say that I know. For Dusk it was personal. He decided to take revenge. And when the opportunity arose, he took it. - the bandit fell silent for a moment. - We have connections in the police and they told us that you had an accident. We knew where you were. It wasn’t me who killed you, honestly, I answer.
Even though Alexander already knew this fact, hearing it from the lips of another person was unpleasant.
- So what now? What does he want? He's already killed me twice, maybe he should calm down already?
The bandit looked at Alexander with despair in his eyes.
- He wants you to die again. And he won't stop until it happens. He even called some saints so that they could figure out how to finally put you to the grave.
Alexander stared intently at the bandit, who seemed ready at any moment to withdraw into himself again out of fear. The young man dispelled the ability and took a deep breath, control taking away mental strength.
“I know that everyone has weak points,” Alexander said coldly. - Even at Twilight. So, start talking if you want this to end quickly.
The bandit tried to meet Alexander's gaze, but noticing the ruthless decision in his eyes, he lowered his head.
“I will not betray Dusk,” he whispered.
Quickly standing up, Alexander hit the bandit in the face. After that, he leaned towards him and whispered:
- Do you think I can’t burn your soul? I just want people to leave me alone, so don't worry. This is your last chance.
The bandit felt fear, knowing that Alexander was ready to do anything for his revenge. Gathering all his strength, he began to speak.
- Dusk has a sister. Her name is Ekaterina. She is his weak point. He never talked about it, but I know. They are the only members of their family left and he loves her madly. If anything happens to her, he will lose his mind.
Alexander raised an eyebrow in surprise.
- And where is she now?
- Ekaterina lives in an old mansion on the outskirts of the city. She is not involved in her brother's affairs, but he keeps her safe, keeps her away from this whole world. There are always security and private owners there. - the bandit paused, knowing that he had given Alexander important information. - But I beg you, don’t do anything bad to her. It is not her fault. Katya doesn’t even know that her brother is alive, she thinks that this is the protection of the state. He powdered her head well, she is not to blame for anything.
Alexander nodded, reflecting on the information received.
“I have no reason to hurt her.” But know that I will use everything I have to see this through. If Dusk wants war, he will get it.
Alexander looked at the bandit, and a shadow of doubt appeared in his eyes. He understood that the bandit had become a real threat to him. Knowing about Yulia and Alexander’s plans, the bandit could have told Dusk everything he saw here, but he could not allow this.
“He knows too much...” thought Alexander, looking intently at the bandit. The feeling that he had no other choice became increasingly clear. He could not allow this man to live, but on the other hand, murder always left a heavy mark on his soul.
Alexander looked closely at the bandit again, and then, coming closer, whispered in his ear: “Thank you.” His hand instantly pulled out a black-handled knife and stabbed deeply into the bandit's chest. The man tried to scream, but with an effort Alexander shut his mouth. Blood dripped onto the floor, and life slowly evaporated from the bandit’s body.
Alexander began to act decisively. He tied the bandit even tighter and, picking him up, carried him to the bathroom. The man was heavy, and this reminded Alexander of the need for training. Laying the body head down in the bathtub, he quickly closed the plug and opened the cold water tap. Water began to fill the bathtub, and Alexander took a step back to watch carefully.
“Even if this bastard somehow wakes up, he won’t be able to get out.” The water will do its job. - thought Alexander. - And sooner or later, he will be unlucky to fall into the wrong tunnel.
Having done everything he considered necessary, he turned off the water and left the bathroom, leaving behind a cold bath and an even colder body. But deep down he felt that each such action only brought him closer to the Twilight, making him less and less human.
Discarding bad thoughts, Alexander packed his backpack, adding food to his things. He quickly went through all the pockets when he felt the familiar shape of a pistol. The gun was cold and heavy, its metal feeling alienating to the touch. Alexander took it out, weighed it in his hand and sighed, realizing that the weapon had become a part of his current life, but it was a weight that he wanted to lose.
“Soon all this will end,” he thought. “And this gun will only be a bad memory.”
He felt the urge to get rid of it as quickly as possible, but decided to keep it with him until the last moment. With these thoughts, he closed his backpack and looked around. The room now seemed alien and hostile, every shadow a reminder of the past nightmare. Alexander turned off the light, and the room plunged into darkness. Only the street light through the window cast its flickering rays onto the floor.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
He walked out into the corridor, his steps were quiet but confident. The coolness and peace of the night reigned on the landing. He looked around, making sure that no one was nearby, and headed upstairs.
“As soon as I get to the bus station, I will get rid of the weapon,” he strengthened his decision, realizing that they were not suitable for him. - I will find a way to deal with the Twilight.
Alexander's steps up the stairs were light and silent, but his heart beat loudly in anticipation of the journey ahead. He knew this could be the last time he saw Yulia and wanted to make sure she was safe.
When he arrived at her apartment, she was already waiting for him in the hallway. Julia stood there, dressed in a knee-length spring jacket, a scarf wrapped around her neck, and knitted gloves on her hands. Her breath formed a small cloud of steam in the cool air of the corridor.
-Are you finished? - she asked as he came closer. Her gaze expressed sadness and understanding of what he could have done and most likely did. Alexander nodded.
- Yes, everything that needed to be done here has been done.
Julia took a step towards him, and he noticed how easily and freely she now moved.
- I want to accompany you. - she said firmly.
“My path lies through the roof,” Alexander answered, “There are not the best conditions for you.” The roofs have a drop and I think I will have to jump.
She smiled, and a spark of challenge lit up in her eyes.
- I can walk now, Sasha. I want to test myself... And I want to be with you as long as possible.
Alexander felt warmth in his heart from her words. He looked at her, smiling, and nodded.
- Okay, let's go.
Together they climbed the narrow stairs leading to the roof. A cold wind greeted them as they stepped outside. The city below them seemed to be sleeping, only individual windows in the buildings glowed like stars in the night sky.
Julia took Alexander's hand and, smiling, began to cross the roof. She moved confidently, each step was light and free. Watching her was both touching and inspiring.
The refreshing evening air of Saratov enveloped Alexander and Yulia when they went down to the neighboring roof... The city lights flickered, and passers-by hurried about their business, not paying attention to the two young people. They quickly found the descent into the entrance, where without stopping for long, they went down and went outside. The streets were quiet, and the autumn cold began to be felt more and more, giving the night sharpness and clarity.
Julia took Alexander's hand, and her fingers were warm.
- Let's go, the bus station is nearby. - she said, her eyes sparkling in the light of the lanterns. They walked through an arch and a couple of streets when they reached the park with its dark alleys and the soft rustling of leaves underfoot.
Suddenly Julia stopped, turned to Alexander and suggested:
- Let's run. Race! I've always dreamed of doing this!
Alexander smiled, seeing the enthusiasm and joy of life in her eyes. He nodded and she rushed forward, her laughter echoing through the park. Alexander followed her, feeling the backpack sliding along his back.
With every step Alexander felt freer. Despite the weight of the backpack, he enjoyed the moment, enjoying running next to Yulia, who seemed to have found a new life.
But at the same time, his thoughts were full of doubts and fears. He knew that his presence in Saratov made him vulnerable, and that every minute spent here increased the risk for Yulia. His duty is to leave to protect her, so as not to expose her to unnecessary risk.
When they reached the end of the park, Alexander slowed down and stopped, breathing deeply. Julia turned to him, still laughing.
- Well, what are you doing? Tired? - she asked, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
- No. - he answered with a smile. “I was just thinking about how things have changed lately.”
She walked up to him and hugged him.
- Thank you for everything, Sasha. The most important change in my life happened thanks to you. - she whispered.
He hugged her back and promised himself that he would do everything to keep her safe. With this promised thought, Alexander released her and together they continued on their way to the bus station.
The street lamps softly illuminated the bus station platform, creating dramatic shadows. Alexander and Yulia stood next to a scattering of bright neon lights of a bus that was about to set off.
When he took the ticket that Julia helped him buy, their eyes met, overwhelmed with emotions. Sharing a warm, comforting hug felt like a small eternity. At that moment, the world around them went dark.
“Don’t disappear…” said Julia, looking into his eyes.
“I promise...” Alexander answered, and his voice was as firm as an oath. The girl dictated her phone number. He listened to her carefully, forever memorizing the eleven digits in his memory. Although he did not remember the past, he could remember the current.
Then he turned around and got on the bus. The last look at Yulia through the cloudy glass of the bus was full of promises and farewells. Her smile was a bright star in this small world of the night bus station, the light of which he hoped to see again. The bus slowly started moving, and Yulia waved to him until the last moment, until he drove out of sight.
Lost in his thoughts, Alexander looked out the window at the shadows of trees and buildings flying past. He thought about Yulia, about Roman, whom he hoped to meet in Kinel, and about the problems that faced him.
Every kilometer separating him from Saratov was like a step from the past to the future, but his thoughts were filled with questions about what this future might bring.
When the bus stopped in Kinel, Alexander already knew what awaited him. He was prepared for the meetings and the conflicts that might ensue. As he got off the bus, he breathed in the cool air of the new city, feeling the determination growing in his chest.
Alexander called his friend in advance, fortunately there were a lot of passengers and they did not refuse him help with the call. Now, he looked around, looking for Roman among the bustling passengers and greeters.
Seeing a familiar figure, he felt as if the tension had lifted from his shoulders. Roman stood leaning against the wall of the bus station, and his eyes lit up with joy when he saw Alexander.
“Finally,” Roman said as they shook hands. “I started to worry, I thought I was in some kind of trouble again.”
Alexander smiled:
- No, we just drove for a long time. Of course you have roads...
The novel took him through the streets of the city, where each house seemed a copy of the previous one, and only the multi-colored curtains in the windows gave them uniqueness. Alexander carefully peered into the faces of passers-by, looking for familiar features or threats in them, but all the faces seemed serene.
Kinel was quiet, and their every step echoed off the walls of the houses. They passed small shops, a closed cinema and a couple of old cafes with darkened windows. Alexander noticed how the city was gradually losing its urban richness, giving way to more spacious and open landscapes.
After a twenty-minute walk, they found themselves on the outskirts, where wooden houses were silhouetted against the night sky. The houses here ranged from newly built and well-maintained to old and dilapidated.
Roman stopped at one of the houses, covered with an old slate roof. The paint on the walls was peeling, but overall the house looked cozy and welcoming.
- Here are my mansions. - Roman said, taking a bunch of keys out of his pocket. - Not a mansion, of course, but it’s quiet and peaceful here. You will be able to relax and gain strength. Grandfather took good care of him before he died. But I don’t know how to do all this, so it’s slowly rotting.
Alexander nodded, his gaze sliding over the cozy atmosphere of the yard, where several viburnum bushes were turning yellow with leaves.
“Exactly what I need,” he said, feeling how fatigue was finally starting to take its toll.