I looked at Vova’s thoughtful face. He was not as confident as he used to be, and he did not want to go home.
– Listen, I will stay with you until the hospital closes. I hope nothing happens to you overnight. Moreover, early in the morning, as soon as the hospital opens, I will come for you.
It became easier for me to make such a decision, and I did not relax for a long time. My friend acted nobly, trying to protect an unfamiliar person. After all, he could have suffered from me, along with me.
– That is how I happened to meet someone like you in my life! He said these words with such enthusiasm that I felt uncomfortable. What is wrong with me?
– Don’t you understand? You are the chosen one. You were chosen, and you were able to get into the other world. Not everyone succeeds.
– Yes, but it’s better not to get there. It is impossible to get out of there. This world sucks in like a whirlpool.
– «But you and your friends got out.
– My friends do. I am not sure. She is here. I saw her. My friend tensed, and said nothing. On the contrary, he began to look closely at everything.
– You tell me about the slightest suspicion. Ok? I made it clear in agreement. I was calmer from the fact that someone believes me.
– Thanks, friend. I said these words with sincerity. In addition, my friend gave me a friendly nod in response.
The doctor came and confirmed my friend’s discharge. After examining me, he was very surprised that I began to look so good in such a short time.
– This cannot be happening. Where are your scars? It’s magic. We need to call the manager.
I did not notice my changes and went to the mirror. In the reflection, I saw a perfect face, without the slightest damage. The gray hair was gone, only a glimmer remained. – How is this possible? I touched my face with my hands; I was young and beautiful as before. It was another sign. The head was waiting for me in the ward. She examined me carefully.
– I do not understand anything. How is this possible? With injuries like yours, this does not happen. We need to create a consultation immediately. The doctor came out. We were left alone.
– Listen, I do not like your appearance either. I think I will stay with you until tomorrow.
– How is that possible?
– I will hide. Everyone will leave. In addition, I will stay in the ward. The only thing is that today is the evil sister. She will flit around, but I will figure something out. I have the right to be here until five.
– I will be glad if you stay. And tomorrow? What should I do tomorrow? You see, they want to create a consultation; they will not let me go so quickly.
– You need to buy a ticket and get out. You have a passport. Forget about things and everything else. Let us buy a ticket. This was my third attempt to escape. We went online and booked a ticket for tomorrow. It remains to survive another crazy night. I informed my sister that this time I would definitely fly home. My sister was waiting for me. I felt how much she needed me and it made my heart heavy.
It was lunchtime, and we left the ward. The hallway was busy. There were new arrivals. I looked at these people as living beings. I have not been out for a long time, and I have not been in mass gatherings of people. I was tired of it and at the same time, I felt that I was among the living. It was very important to me. Vovan was animatedly telling me about a woman with big buttocks in a funny robe. A flirtation ensued between them, and he clearly did not want to leave this institution anymore. It was funny to watch them. They were clearly worth each other.
– These are the forms! He kept repeating. I was amused by his phrases, and a smile appeared on my face. I laughed heartily.
We returned to the ward, and this room made us sad. This ward has ceased to be a refuge. We both wanted to get out of here.
– Let’s go to the corridor!
– Come on!
As soon as we stepped towards the door, our ward was covered with ice. Ice covered everything, walls, floor, ceiling, interior, and the front door.
– It is for me.
– I get it. Now what?
– I do not know myself. My friend ran to the door and started calling for help.
– Help.
The door opened, and the ward took on the appearance as if nothing had happened. Everything happened every second. My friend and I were standing there looking ridiculous. A nurse with a medical bandage on her face opened the door. She did not look me in the eye, but I could see that she was angry with the two of us.
– What is going on here? You two are running around the hallway. Now you are yelling. It is a quiet hour now. She slammed the door, and I heard her quick footsteps.
– I told you she was evil.
– But she saved us.
– That is for sure.
We were still standing in disbelief. – And now what?
– Let’s get out of here into the corridor. It is safer there.
– «Now I’ve dragged you along with me.
– This is who is dragging whom. A friend jokingly said. I did not attach much importance to these words. – We should have survived the night.
– Do you think that it is all over, I will fly away, and everything will be chocolate? No. Do not support me as if I am dying. I am actually dying, and it is going to be over soon. You saw it. What are you going to tell me?
Vladimir stood at a loss, not knowing what to say to my outburst of emotions. – I believe that we will succeed. You have a chance to escape.
We went out into the corridor and breathed a sigh of relief. We had the feeling that we had escaped from prison. I was a little surprised that my friend was not scared, and did not react in any way to what he saw. I got the impression that this was not the first time for him, and I began to be afraid of him from that moment. My intuition told me that it was time to stop trusting him. I gave no sign of my premonition and kept the mask on. The corridor was lively, despite the sleepy hour. Vova was looking for a new patient with curvy shapes. He sat down on the windowsill and waited for her appearance.
Time passed slowly. It was still light outside and I was looking at the excitement created by people running about their business. I leaned my forehead against the glass and closed my eyes. In a short moment, I remembered my whole life, starting from my childhood, and up to today. I remembered how I flew here to my grandmother, and she read the very fairy tales that came to life and turned my life into a nightmare. I loved coming here, I loved playing with my friends who were in hell with me, and they managed to get out. I remembered my last dinner with my sister and I wanted to go back there, to the life, I did not live. I was so drawn to the past. And here I am, and I do not know how long I have left to live? What if I actually have a chance to escape? I thought, and began to imagine this salvation, my return, dinner with my sister, a beer bar with friends. I did not have a girlfriend, and I would like to have one, but I never made an effort to create a relationship. I had a taste for life, and I wanted to live.
– Let’s go for a walk. I am tired of sitting and waiting. We walked down the corridor, went in for a smoke. – Well, are you ready for a new life?
«Which one?» Beyond the grave? To be honest, I do not know. I used to dream about it, now I do not. I have changed my mind, I said with a grin. My friend also said this question with a grin.