The Mist and the Lightning. Part IV. Ви Корс

return, and he didn’t want to leave me mutilated”.

      “Whatever he says, you don’t even have to tell me! So at first, he punished and mutilated you. And then graciously helped you, but altered everything his way”.

      “That’s what I thought, but he denies it. He says he has nothing to do with it, that we are punishing ourselves. Just like Squint-Eye, when he cuts his veins. That’s what I told you about in the beginning. By the way, to Squint- Eye he didn’t do anything. Because he does everything by himself”.

      “And Tol”.

      “Well, Tol isn’t even a person, just instincts, without thinking”.

      “And that’s what saves him” – Lis said. – “And me?”

      “You? You are staring at Carina every day, remembering how you used to love her and how you got a knife in your heart from her!”

      “I wanted to it. I wanted to do it to Nikto. Stick a knife in his heart while he was in coma”.

      “I know”.

      “You know?! And you keep quiet about it? You didn’t raise stink, didn’t even talk to me!”

      Orel shrugged: “What’s the point now. I wanted to, at first, but Nik talked me out of it, he said it wasn’t so simple to eliminate him. Of course I was enraged, and now I’m more worried about you, you’re acting silly and walking on the edge”.

      “Carina is here to finish me off. Where did she come from?! And him! Where did he come from on our heads! Who he even is?!”

      "What difference does it make?! Who he is, what he is. Remember, you said once, in the beginning, that we jumped into the abyss, and now it's too late, no going back. It's impossible."

      "Oh yeah…"

      "You know what's the funniest part, though?"

      Lis lifted his head and looked at Orel, waiting.

      "It fits him all, all the theories, all the ideas. From the most complicated one to the dumbest. Anything you can think of, it's possible. He could summon the demon himself, just like Squint-Eye said, and pay for it. Or maybe he's not paying for his deed at all. Serving his master loyally, by mutual agreement, and everything goes as it should. Why have we decided the demon was torturing him so much? And what if he actually protects him and gives him unlimited powers? Huh?

      And maybe it's not like that, and the witch turned him over to serve the demon, his own will had nothing to do with it. He was just a victim. A body they didn't even bother to give a human name to. That's also possible, and then Enriki isn't so wrong.

      And my theory also fits. He is reflecting our wishes and ambitions, and giving back to us. And look, he totally could hurt us, punish us for treating him badly, or simply for our wicked deeds".

      "He could".

      "And it's also possible that he didn't do it, we could just get into a scrape on our own. Me, for example, I got smacked in the eye with my own ring, for my own lust!"

      "So we still don't know anything about him!"

      "Exactly! Maybe one of the theories is right, and maybe nothing is! Maybe he was sent by the gods, or by the demons, or maybe he is just a human being!"

      "So what should we do? We are doomed if we don't find a solution! Me for sure! He left me for dessert. I already imagine myself dangling on the rope, at the square!" – Lis yelled.

      Orel was silent, deep in thought.

      "Look, Arel, Squint-Eye is as good as dead. They will lock him up, and even if they don't execute him as well, within a year he will either loose his mind, or kill himself, or die of his diseases. What, you think I'm wrong?"

      "No".

      "Enriki can't escape either this time, Carina and her daddy will see to that."

      "Yes, Kors has been holding grudge against him, Enriki was fooling everybody for too long, shamelessly".

      "Can you imagine what will happen to Enriki in a solitary cell, without 'water'? Or with 'water', which is even worse!"

      "I can. Stop smoking, Lis, you scare me".

      "Well, it's all clear with me, a bit of Carina's testimony, and I won't linger in this life."

      "She is your only living witness, that's amusing… Was it worth killing all the rest, just to leave her? A witness like that!"

      "Don't…"

      "You shouldn't panic in advance! Why have you decided that she will do it? Maybe she won't testify against you! And other than that, they don't have anything serious. No murders, like me and Squint-Eye, no bribery and forgery, like Enriki. They don't have anything on you!"

      "They have Carina! And she will finish what she started. It's a matter of principal. I've seen her eyes."

      "She loves you!"

      "Cut the crap! She might feel some pity for me. But justice is above pity and above personal affections. The justice must prevail, the culprit must be punished as he deserves. She will fulfill her duty, she won't betray her country, her people. Who am I? Arel, don't you get it? It's only for you I am Lis, a close person, as I hope, the one you know and even love a little bit. But that's just for you!"

      "You are my family!"

      "But you see me in a wrong way! I'm a war criminal! I'm your enemy! You can't even imagine how many "blacks" I've killed, your countrymen. I'm an occupant!"