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– This is an ordinary toy, nothing more.
– But you are not a child to carry toys with you. Well, you must agree – it’s very strange! – The word “strange” in his mouth sounded like a terrible accusation, Kalinkin noted to himself.
– Who did you want to give it to? Isn’t this a bookmark container? – the investigator squinted. – Witty. However, the examination will soon show whether there are traces of powder…
– Did you break the elephant? – Pyotr Mikhailovich could not stand it. – Galina will kill me!
– Galina is your accomplice?
– My wife, she’s at the village now.
– What happens, citizen? So, without your wife’s permission, you seized common property from the apartment and wanted to transfer it to a third party without her knowledge? Listen: it is in your own interests to refute the suspicions that have arisen and to prove the absence of the sale and storage of prohibited substances. You are in the status of a suspect, the measure is up to five years! – The man clearly enjoyed intimidating the unfortunate detainee.
– I didn’t have any drugs and I don’t have any. You’re confusing me in vain, – Kalinkin became emboldened, but the investigator has heard these speeches twenty times a day for the past ten years with a break for a short vacation once a year for a couple of weeks.
– Pyotr Mikhailovich, – the man looked into the questionnaire and changed his tone to almost affectionate, – well, judge for yourself: what kind of person in his right mind would go to the metro station for no reason, without a purpose, and even with a package containing a plastic toy and a calendar sheet with today’s date? So this piece of paper is a conditional sign?
– It’s just a leaf from the calendar, and I didn’t break anything, – Kalinkin fumed.
– Firstly, you violated it: during a special period you appeared in a public place without a mask and a security number, and secondly, you are now in a place where people don’t just get there… We will check everything and wait for the results of the examination. I warn you about criminal liability for giving false testimony. Sign here and here and here.
Pyotr Mikhailovich nervously and illegibly signed each sheet at the bottom, leaving some kind of squiggle, and then asked:
– What are the voluntary squads of the National Guard?
– A-a-a, – the investigator grinned. – This is, so to speak, an initiative of active segments of the population in pursuance of the Decree on the further development of democracy during the Great Restoration of the Country…
The policeman’s face became alien and impenetrable again.
– And now follow the employee for fingerprinting, you will have to issue a detention for a couple of days until all the circumstances are clarified.
Seeing the mute question in the innocent eyes of the arrested man and after being silent for a while, the man sharply slammed his hand on the table and added softly, typing every word:
– Pyotr Mikhailovich Kalinkin, whom you introduced yourself to, disappeared about five years ago and is wanted. Your appearance does not match the description and photo of the wanted person involved.
When the metal door of the detention cell screeched shut behind Pyotr Mikhailovich, he decided not to abuse the hospitality of the authorities and say goodbye to such a sad future, using a saving phrase:
– I want to go back! – However, there was no reaction. He broke into a cold sweat. Have you really forgotten? – Ah! he remembered. – I want to go back!!!
Time stopped, and the body, along with the sinless soul of Pyotr Mikhailovich, disappeared from the bullpen of the police department without a trace. When the loss was discovered in the evening, the police were surprised a lot, but due to the specifics of the service, they did not hesitate for a long time – and it happens occasionally. They simply withdrew the protocol of interrogation and the act of detention, as if they were not in nature, and that’s the end of it: who needs this Kalinkin, and without him, life is full of other worries.
When Galina Sergeevna Kalinkina returned home from the hospital a couple of weeks later, she found the elephant missing from the chest of drawers. Not that there is any value, but it’s just amazing: she remembered that the figure was always there, in the morning she dusted it with a rag. The elephant himself could not go anywhere! This iron argument and a woman’s insight made her take a closer look at the apartment, and on you: for some reason, a calendar sheet was torn out, there is the sixteenth of June and the eighteenth is in place, but there is no seventeenth. Some kind of devilry… She did not call her friends, but went to consult a neighbor. And neighbor told her about the visit of a strange man: he pestered her with questions, pretended to be a friend. Maybe he is the thief who broke into the apartment? True, it was embarrassing: the things and jewelry dear to her heart were in place, but the fact of penetration alarmed her so much that Galina Sergeevna decided to go to the police tomorrow, without a shake-up, with a statement about the theft. Moreover, this is exactly how they recommend acting on TV.
A man in civilian clothes questioned her, clearly not interested in this small matter. But when Kalinkina gave the address and announced the missing elephant, something cleared up in the investigator’s head, he immediately perked up and clarified:
– Is the calendar sheet missing?
And he was not surprised when he heard an easily predictable answer:
– Gone, gone, for June 17, 2026…
The investigator asked Galina Sergeevna to wait, and he went to the head of the department with a short report about the loss of a toy in the form of an elephant, a calendar sheet and a muddy man who disappeared from custody a couple of weeks ago. The chief instructed to send an investigative team to the victim’s address, and he picked up the secure phone and called the curator, following the instructions: to inform whom about all extraordinary incidents. The fingerprints taken at the police department from allegedly Kalinkin predictably coincided with the traces in the apartment, and thus the fact of his penetration into the dwelling and theft was irrefutably proved. Two circumstances were alarming: although the description of the criminal given by the neighbor coincided with the description of the detainee, Galina Sergeevna herself did not recognize her husband in him in any way. And most importantly: where did the criminal go?
CHAPTER 3. RETURN
Pyotr Mikhailovich woke up sitting in an armchair. In front of him is a monitor screen with the date: June 17, 2021, Moscow time – 17 hours 43 minutes, at the bottom of the phrase:
– “The penetration into the future is over. Stand up and remove the hood. Turn off the device by pressing the red button!”
The button was pressed, the structure with the monitor and the chair began to deflate and disappear into the air, and instead an iron barrel on metal legs reappeared. Kalinkin stood beside the time machine and was silent, gathering his thoughts. Have arrived… And where, exactly? After looking around, the traveler discovered that he was in an unfamiliar place, in some kind of closed, poorly lit room, like a warehouse or utility room. Pushing open the unlocked door, he found himself in the trading floor of the store, where this morning (oh, a miracle!) he bought batteries. The saleswoman involuntarily shuddered from surprise when she saw a stranger coming out of the office, and with fright called the administrator. Pyotr Mikhailovich only managed to spread his hands as a sign of good intentions, show empty palms and take a look in the mirror on the wall…The administrator, an energetic middle-aged lady, jumped out of the next room, went for rapprochement and attacked a young man who had fallen from nowhere with a powerful body and tricky questions: from where? why? why?, subjected him to a light search and let him go in peace, gently pushing him out into the street. Kalinkin realized that he was back in a country village, not far from his own house. Well, if so, fate itself prompted: go to your wife and clarify the situation, which yesterday would have seemed complete nonsense and absurdity.
After leaving the store, Pyotr Mikhailovich stopped and carefully examined his clothes. He remember that he went to the Future in his usual outfit – a work jacket and jeans, but he defiled at Butlerov street and the police in a brown suit. Now, after returning, he found himself dressed in a dark blue jumpsuit and short boots, and on his head was a blue baseball cap. There was, of course, no answer to the question of how and why clothes were changed and in which intertemporal atelier he was changed. But this circumstance is not so mysterious compared to the stunning change in appearance, and the age has decreased again! During the flight to 2026, he rejuvenated by twenty years and remained unrecognized by a neighbor who knew him like a flake from his student days. Did the reverse jump reduce (or did give him a gift) two more decades – at least that’s how Kalinkin looked now, walking briskly along the narrow village road, and felt like he matched his years. Apparently, this is the bonus from the barrel for bold experiments.
Pyotr Mikhailovich, or rather Peter looked with interest at the picture of summer spreading out before him, saw it in a new way, as if for the first time. By evening, the heat of the day finally relented and receded, cirrus clouds appeared high in the sky, stretching into white rag strips, daring from time to time to cover His Majesty the Sun. Suddenly the wind died down, and the orchestra of grasshoppers with crickets performed a concerto in D minor for the traveler, splashing their melodies in the fading nature. Here, around the corner, is his house with a dilapidated picket fence, a gate and a narrow path leading to a familiar door.
Galina Sergeevna was sitting in the kitchen and drinking tea alone, thinking about where her husband could have gone – he had not been in the house or on the plot for an hour. Her husband’s mobile phone was lying next to her, so she could only wait – apparently, Pyotr Mikhailovich decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, to be alone with himself. A sudden noise from the courtyard alerted her, there was a knock on the door.
– Who’s there? – The woman asked in a trembling voice.
– Can I come in? – An unfamiliar deep voice asked.
– Come in! – Galina Sergeevna allowed, and despite the external calmness, her soul sank into her heels: Pyotr Mikhailovich would not knock…
There was a creak, heavy footsteps were heard on the stairs, and a young man of about twenty-five appeared on the threshold, wearing a blue overalls, short boots and a blue baseball cap with the inscription “Reebok”.
– Excuse me, mistress, – the guest began reassuringly, seeing the fright in the eyes of an elderly woman, – I’m going around the houses in the neighborhood, I suggest drilling wells. Do you have an old well on your site, as with drinking water?
– There is water, but my husband and I haven’t decided anything about the well yet, – and as if in justification, she added: – We haven’t been here long, we haven’t looked around properly yet…
Galina Sergeevna’s sudden fear did not let go yet, but she tried with all her might not to show it – some frightening implausibility emanated from the man. His visit from the point of view of common sense is also inexplicable and mysterious: it’s too late to go around the house, rather, it’s just an excuse. However, the guest was in no hurry to leave and closely followed the behavior of the hostess, and she intuitively, unmistakably felt that it was not the well at all.
– What kind of day is this? First Pyotr disappeared somewhere, and now this strange guest? – she thought, and aloud, in order to round off the strange conversation, politely suggested: – And you come to us in a couple of days, talk to the owner…
– I will do that, – the guy agreed, resolutely put on his cap and left without saying goodbye. When the door slammed and the footsteps in the garden died away, Galina Sergeevna, without feeling, slowly got up and walked stiffly to the open window, carefully closed the shutters and latched them on the latches. Her hands were shaking as if from exertion, her head was spinning, and her body was stiff with fright. She returned to the table, managed to drink water from a glass, then tried to get a bottle of medicine, but the floor swayed treacherously and went out from under her feet. Flying away into the darkness and piercing pain, she still thought about Pyotr.
The time machine played a cruel joke with Pyotr Mikhailovich. He appeared before his Galina as a young stranger full of strength and health. Shocked no less than his wife, assessing the situation as if from the outside, he intended not to injure his ridiculous explanations for at least another couple of days in order to save her from an imminent blow. Perhaps something will change during this time… The game eventually presented the second side of the coin – the reckoning for superpowers, which also needs to be comprehended and taken for granted. Having left his own house, burdened with the revealed truths, Peter had no idea where to go, and wandered aimlessly along the highway. Then, unable to think of anything better, he turned around and headed back to the store. At this late hour there were no more visitors, and out of desperation, he started a bold conversation with a pretty saleswoman about urgent needs: I’m so thirsty that I have nowhere to spend the night… There are practically no chances of success, but, surprisingly, the girl remembered and recognized him and, calmly measuring him with her impenetrable black eyes, asked:
– And what were you doing in the warehouse?
– Yes, I accidentally went there… – Kalinkin lied clumsily.
It was hardly true, but his helpless appearance confirmed better than any words: He is not from here, he have nowhere to go, even if a wolf howls… after a little thought, the girl calmly said in a melodious voice:
– If you’re thirsty, buy a couple of beers, well, or stronger… And the snack, so be it, I’ll cook it myself.
Mein goth! Kalinkin almost jumped for joy and at first did not even believe what he had heard: what a surprise and contrast with the new self that had not yet fully formed! His eyes studied her expression and finally lit up with an inner fire of hope. The psychological swing swung again, the cave of Ali Baba’s treasures opened up before him: pleasant company, a warm overnight stay, and if he was really lucky, then a woman’s caress.
– What’s your name, not Mother Teresa? – he joked.
– Daria. And you?
Carefully, so as not to scare away, not to dispel this mirage, Peter asked as politely as possible to choose snacks to her taste, and even in this she did not disappoint. Where he got the money in his pocket so conveniently turned out to be – probably a mystery, on a par with new clothes… When the store closed, the two of them walked leisurely side by side, shoulder to shoulder, occasionally looking at each other with interest. When she reached the gate, jokingly, or maybe seriously, a new acquaintance stopped and asked Peter:
– Aren’t you a criminal?
– Does it really look like? – Peter retorted with a smile.
– I don’t think so. Married? – that’s how easily they switched to “you”.
– I don’t even know, – Peter exhaled after a pause. But strangely enough, this answer was received favorably: everything happens, and she has already seen something in her life.
CHAPTER 4. THE NEW SELF
Jumping in time has opened another unique transformation associated with the change of age – the renewal of the soul. Peter’s feelings were rejuvenated and cut on a sharp edge, painfully wounding the heart – an unforgettable amorous adventure full of desperate, sudden passion. Peter had experienced enough shocks, but the intuitive female trust in him, a stranger, could not fail to amaze him. She was the first to reach out to the weak… he found it simply humiliating to introduce himself as some fictional Alik – it would be treachery towards the person who invited him to his house. After jumping through time, he became different, and not only physically, but undoubtedly transformed internally, as if somewhere there, in the portal, he was injected with the elixir of happiness. And a chance meeting turned into not only acquaintance with a beautiful woman, but also the process of studying oneself in a new guise, and this knowledge never ceased to amaze and delight.
An easy, non-binding conversation over a glass of excellent cognac, warm smiles… And Galina? But Galina is no there, she is in another, old world… Peter no longer remembered about her and did not feel any remorse. Here, next to him, sat a charming blonde, and opposite her was an ardent admirer in his face, with an updated appearance and a new attitude. A subtle, gambling psychological game: cautious, studying looks like a timid attempt to touch souls, vague fears of disturbing the charming atmosphere of reinforcing mutual arrangement… Fear of making a hasty, unsuccessful step, pronouncing an optional, misinterpreted word, distorting the inner world of the interlocutor in the first hours of acquaintance… A sweet, fascinating duel of tete-a-tete contemplation. Peter surprised himself by demonstrating a previously unknown heightened sensuality and tact, seriousness of intentions, which sincerely pleased Daria. The drug of her beauty penetrated more and more into his bubbling blood, it pleased her and at the same time frightened her. No, he’s not a gigolo, she thought, and floated on the waves of a soul-seizing feeling of favor, attraction to this man. Respectful, unobtrusive courtship, sincere trust and sympathy at one truly wonderful moment were able to weaken the resistance of the impregnable fortress, and the awakened young hormones sounded the signal to attack. In response to a timid kiss, she gently hugged him and leaned her head on his shoulder. And then their bodies were struck by an electric discharge of passion. Peter involuntarily squeezed Daria in his arms, and she even cried out in surprise and pain…
When their naked hot bodies desperately touched, Peter clearly felt the gates opening with difficulty, and the priceless feeling of the triumph of youth simultaneously fell upon them, taking them to heaven – it seemed to last forever. So they were flying out of time, somewhere high above the clouds, clinging to each other, two halves that finally met in this crazy world, and no force could separate them. He is indefatigable, affectionate and rude at the same time; and she turned out to be a real reward, a luxurious gift to a fine connoisseur of beauty – natural and ardent, with a burning feeling of unrequited love, filled to the brim with desire that stunned both him and herself.
Finally, they fell from heaven, lying on a crumpled sheet with cigarette lights in their hands, these torches of triumph, exhausted, with bodies as light as fluff, and occasionally let out trickles of tobacco smoke to the ceiling. The subconscious gradually gave way to the mind, returning the reality of the world, but the feeling of ecstasy, touching the unearthly, divine, did not let them go. Smiling at something of her own, hidden, Daria gently touched her palm to his chest and whispered softly:
– How fast your heart beats…
– It runs to you.
– You’re so hairy – here and here, – she remarked with the coolness of an executioner, taking a drag on her cigarette. Peter noticed that she tends to change the direction of the conversation abruptly, as if two people got along in her: subtly emotional and coldly reasonable.
– Almost Neanderthal, do you want me to show you my passport?
– I know that without a passport. You’re a wild beast, and you almost tore me apart.
– Consider it a compliment? – Peter asked, obviously flattered. But Daria was in no hurry to give up so quickly.
– Why did you come to the store again, were you sure that I would agree? – she abruptly changed the subject again after a pause.
– I wasn’t sure about anything, you know…
– Do you think I’m an adventurer? Well, tell me, just be honest!
Daria pleased Peter with the lack of commercialism and standard ladies’ stereotypes, did not build any far-reaching plans, believing a simple cute guy, and did not regret it at all.
– Do you have another cigarette? – Peter asked and clicked the lighter. – I haven’t found the answer for myself yet: which one of us is the perfect adventurer…
– If we had children, they would be reckless – like dad and mom, – she said philosophically. And then, not allowing him to appreciate the natural female fantasy, she suddenly leaned on him with elastic breasts:
– And if I click here, what will happen? – sensitive fingers gently touched his flesh. – Does it hurt?
– Nice, press again. Today I will die of physical exhaustion, like a racehorse at a racetrack, but happy, – he sighed resignedly.
– You think too highly of yourself! Just try to give up, we haven’t finished our race yet, there are still three laps to go! – the skilled rider jokingly threatened and unceremoniously settled down on top of him as in the saddle.
CHAPTER 5. LOVE AS IT IS
The night flew by, followed by the morning, inviting the bright sun to look through the wide-open window and illuminate the holy sinner. Involuntarily squinting, Peter opened his eyes and saw himself lying in a small cozy room. Ringing children’s voices and the fading crackle of a motorcycle flying near the house could be heard from the street. The rumpled bed still retained the unique scent of a woman, the natural and enticing scent of her body. Catching the pheromones, he was again enveloped in a fog of dreams. But in his head, after the night’s pleasures, there was a notable noise-boom, however, the situation in the room was no better: on the table, plates of food were side by side with half – empty glasses, an ashtray full of cigarette butts – the consequences of a private dinner and its sweet continuation. A cage with parrots came to life and rustled on the furniture set. Peter remembered that yesterday he had already managed to get acquainted: green is Grunya, and blue is Borya. Carefully shifting himself to an upright position and pulling on a tracksuit, he slowly walked around the house to the approving chirping and clicking, and stated the absence of the hostess. It’s already three o’clock, the keys are on the nightstand. Apparently, Daria was in a hurry to work, and, feeling sorry for him, did not wake him up. Looking at himself in the mirror, he saw in it a tall young brown-haired man with a rumpled unshaven face and tousled hair. The reflection was very puzzled by what it saw, but after a few seconds of mutual consideration, it winked conspiratorially at Peter: man, life is beautiful! The lucky man, reviving after yesterday, did not object to the looking glass, only dark shadows under his eyes and a strange emptiness in the lower abdomen reminded him of his Hercules exploits, or rather, of one feat. Having brought himself to a more or less normal appearance and hastily had a snack, the guest cleaned up the table and went to the store. On the way, I checked pockets and found a crumpled five thousand rubles bill – how convenient! I am the king!
Daria was standing behind the counter and serving another customer. When she saw Kalinkin, she blushed, but did not show that they were familiar, and continued to work as if nothing had happened. Kalinkin fatally stood in a short queue and, when the saleswoman finally turned her gaze on him, seriously asked:
– Hello. What do you recommend to buy for dinner with your girlfriend?
– Is she a vegetarian? – Daria skillfully supported the game: those present did not even suspect anything.
– N – no, she is not a vegetarian, – Peter answered very uncertainly.
– Take a beef kebab and vegetables.
– Then, please, and a bottle of cognac. Do you have an “Arachtan”? – Kalinkin was waiting for the highest approval.
– Yes, seven years of exposure, seven hundred and twenty rubles. Take it?
– Good. Cigarettes “Parliament”, a couple of lemons and dark chocolate. And some mineral water…
Loaded with shopping, Peter slowly, with a silly look of a lucky man, moved back to Daria’s house to prepare dinner for her arrival.
By the evening, the hostess returned from work almost alive. Peter met her at the door and warmly embraced her.
– How are you, Dashenka? – he asked, looking into her huge eyes. Then, with the palm of his hand, he gently pulled the blonde curls away from her face and gently kissed her soft lips.
– Oh, I don’t even know. I’ve been in a dream all day, I can barely stand on my feet, – and in confirmation of her words, she sank down on a chair in the hallway.
– Sit down, come to your senses. Do you want some water? I’ve got something ready for the evening, so get some rest…
– Thanks, I think I’ll change and lie down for a while. – Daria entered the room and took a look at the situation: everything was in order, a bouquet of wild flowers flaunted on the table, dinner on the table… Her heart skipped a beat. – And you’re good!
– I tried… But you don’t hope: until you lie down and get hungry – to the table no-no! – Peter smiled. – and how do you feel in another sphere?
– Complete and crushing satisfaction! The men immediately smelled, envied someone…
Peter carefully covered the worker with a light blanket and ordered:
– Sleep!
After about forty minutes, Daria showed signs of life: she stirred, stretched, and then turned her head to Kalinkin and asked, making terrible eyes:
– How, to drink again?
– The actress is still the one, and she knows that it is simply impossible not to love her.., – watching her, Peter thought, and recited aloud:
– Your Majesty, dinner is served. Will you deign to proceed?
