Waking up early in the morning in your own bed with a feeling of having had a great party the night before is one thing. But waking up on an air mattress surrounded by childhood friends, and even twenty years younger, is an entirely different experience.
The night before, Alexei went to bed with a sense of impending storm, thoughts about the upcoming day, and the near-miss mistake he had made. However, when he woke up, he was greeted by loud music on the TV and a man stumbling around him.
"Watch where you're going," Alexei exclaimed.
Yawning and rubbing his eyes, he saw a puzzling scene. His childhood friend, Max, was looking at him with a grin, while Igoresh and little Maxim were also present in the room. Yulka's voice came from the kitchen.
Alexei couldn't quite comprehend why he knew all these people and felt a sense of familiarity with them. And the unmistakable female voice coming from the kitchen confirmed that it was indeed Yulia's voice.
You really did it yesterday, - Max said, trying to hold back his laughter.
Did what? - Alexey asked, still confused.
You should have had less to drink, - Igoresh said, taking a sip of beer from a bottle, - I told you that was enough.
For a brief moment, Alexei felt a tinge of fear that he might have done something regrettable while drunk, but the feeling quickly dissipated.
Internally, he tried to piece together the events of the previous night, and to the others, it sounded like he was stating facts:
No hangover.
No headache.
No recollection of what he drank the night before.
No memory of how he ended up in this apartment.
Total amnesia, - Alex thought as he got up from the air mattress.
He took off his rumpled shirt and headed to the bathroom to splash some water on his face. As he looked into the mirror, what he saw shocked him: he looked twenty years younger.
Alexei stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed Maxim, who was standing near the door, by the hand.
Max, what's going on here?
Lesh, don't you remember?
No, I have no clue about anything, - Alexei said, his voice getting louder.
Calm down, - Igoresh said, approaching, - why are you so upset?
"Will someone please explain to me what's going on here?" Alexei asked, trying to remain calm.
You and Yulka... you know... - Maxim said, awkwardly.
In the kitchen, the clattering of dishes ceased, and Yulia stepped out.
"Hello, are you awake already?" Yulia greeted Alexei with a smile.
Yes, I'm standing right in front of you, - Alexei replied, trying to sound casual.
There's something I need to talk to you about, - Yulia said softly.
Let's talk, - Alexei agreed.
Lesh, let's forget everything that happened between us yesterday, - Yulia said, looking serious.
"Okay," Alexei replied.
After Max, Yulia, and Igoresh left, Alexei found himself alone in the house. Max had left the TV on, playing an old horror movie that soon lost its appeal, and he decided to leave.
Alexei stepped outside and followed an old route through the park, along the river, without knowing where his feet were leading him. He was experiencing an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.
As he approached a familiar house with two grocery stores, he hesitated on which store to enter. Recalling a childhood rhyme, he chose the store on the left. At the ticket machine, he bought two tickets for the Nazimeter. The tram moved smoothly above the ground, making no sound, as Alexei sat by the window, watching the world go by.
Suddenly, at a crossroads, he witnessed a traffic accident. It seemed that a reckless driver attempted to speed through a yellow light, but miscalculated the time to clear the pedestrian crossing, and ended up crashing into the fence.
Yet, amidst these external events, Alexei couldn't shake off the conversation with Yulia and the lingering uncertainty surrounding their night together, even though he couldn't recall it. He continued to look out the tram window, lost in his thoughts.
YOU ARE READING
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
Fantasy"War of the Worlds" is a gripping narrative where Alexei's ordinary life intersects with mysterious events and otherworldly forces. A chance encounter with the angel Navi propels him into a conflict spanning unseen dimensions. Unveiling the secrets...
