Vermouth Thunder. One Killer Story

A cat is a substance that can be in solid, liquid and gaseous state …

Lessa Kauri. Dragonfly for the dead

CHAPTER 1

It took me an effort to pretend to be asleep. The killer walked by, but smoke from the muzzle of his pistol scorched my face. Or a muzzle? Indeed, who would kill a cat? How can she testify even if she wanted to?

The woman on the floor writhed in pain, the gaping wound in her belly was bleeding, and she soon subsided. When Thunder was out of sight, I went over and licked her face. It was still warm. It was impossible to transform now, it was unsafe, and besides, there was nothing I could do to help this unfortunate woman. The police are coming soon and we have to leave.

I've met Thunder before. He has eyes that you will never forget, and you will have nightmares in your dreams, in which he comes to shake your whole soul out of you or even kill you. Thunder is an ideal assassin who makes no mistakes, and his super abilities are an excellent defense for him, because mere mortals are simply not able to move at such a speed. Several times people went out on his trail, he was pursued with helicopters and combat aircraft, but all was in vain. And today I saw him in action.

My super abilities also helped me. Every time I was in danger, I, like a werewolf, changed my appearance and no one could understand where I had gone. I am deliberately specifying "like a werewolf" because I am not a werewolf. And not a comic book hero, although "catwoman" is perhaps the most suitable name for me.

And my name is Mala, we will know each other.

"Well, that's all, goodbye dear!" – Thunder looked the deceased directly in the eyes. He had to kill so many times that if he started counting, he would certainly fall asleep somewhere in between. The sharp pain that covered his victims made them writhe and twist, and this, in truth, caused his disgust.

Madame Piescu was not pleasant – she worked as a teacher at school, often bringing children to tears. Once, because of her, a high school student even hanged himself. But that's not why he killed her. It's just that the "roulette of life" pointed to it – it was supposed to be next. In all fairness, it should be noted that there were no good people on his “short list”.

He was not just a killer: he was a killer with compassion and empathy. Even if the tape indicated the victim, it turned out that he was a good person, he missed it. Sometimes there was a rare chance to destroy a true monster – then Grom did not hesitate, not regretting anything, depriving the victim of life.

I closed my eyes and replayed the events of the evening in my mind. I remember how the hollow barrel of a pistol buried in my face. The thunder was calm. He just wondered whether to kill me or not. Frankly, I felt very sad then at the thought that this was our last meeting. Grom had an eerie face covered with scars, he looked like a real killer. Why is he hesitating? I braced myself for the taste of steel on my tongue. But that did not happen. He just got up and walked away.

“You are probably perplexed and think that I should have killed this cat? He mused on his way to Ozzy House on Seven Mountains. "You know, I have never seen a cat harm anyone anywhere, in any Universe."

Plus, he was superstitious. To kill a black cat means to get setbacks a hundred times more serious than if he crossed your path. "Mrs. Piescu will be found today with a Y-shaped scar on her body – soon they will be close to solving, and I will be on my way home." Grom rubbed the muzzle of his trusty weapon in his pocket and, anticipating a quick trip, grinned contentedly.

CHAPTER 2

– Just imagine, Caesar! – I, languidly closing my eyes, went over in my memory the events of the past day. “He aimed it right at me! He was aiming for my face! – I grimaced, so that it turned out something like a smile. – Well, that is, in the face.

My ginger cat listened, humming with pleasure, devouring his favorite wet food. Unlike me, Caesar did not have the gift of reincarnation and was not originally a man, but was just an ordinary … yard cat. And he was no different from his fellows, except that the extremely silky and shiny marble-red fur.

I closed my eyes dreamily.

And still cool! I met one on one with Vermouth Thunder himself, and survived. Even if I dared to tell someone about it, no one would believe me!

The thunder was cheerful. “Well, Madame Piescu, today you are unlikely to have dinner with your family, and tomorrow you will not continue to torment children. You had a bad temper, Madame Piescu! " He thought as he walked up the night street to Piazza Como. Whenever Thunder had to kill someone, he felt relief. “One more vile likeness of the soul has become less” – this is how he justified himself, setting himself a mission – to cleanse the city from filth. And, of course, return home.

Thunder was not human, nor was he an alien in the full sense of the word. Thunder was a cross between man and sphinxes – alien kvashi-creatures that lived in the distant system of twelve suns. It was thanks to this unusual incest that people from his planet possessed supernatural powers.

He had a great day today and he wanted to celebrate. There were no more murders in his plans for today, and he went to a bar in Piazza Como, next to the apartment he rented in a cottage on the Seven Mountains.

The bar was called simply: "Oyster". They served excellent oysters and beer. The stalker never made casual acquaintances, if the need arose, he simply eliminated a person who could recognize him. But in this bar everyone was usually so drunk that nobody cared about anyone.

Thunder pushed the wooden door with its barrel and hid the pistol, which he kept at the ready while walking down the street, into the far pocket. It was hot in the Ostrichnaya, it smelled of beer and shrimp. The thunder went to the far table and sat in the very corner with his back to the main crowd.

While he was waiting for the waiter to approach him, he thought that there were only 8 murders left and then he could fly away. He's been on this planet for too long already.

The scheme according to which Grom killed was quite simple, but still confusing. It was a kind of sacrifice ritual.

12 people who made up the "ring of the sphinx" – had to die, then the portal of death would open. This was the only way to return to his planet in the Galaxis 12 system, to the planet of 12 suns – Severs 12. He carved the letter "U" on the bodies of the victims – so that the sphinx ring would eventually close and the death portal would work. In addition, he "flirted" with the police, leaving them these signs, and knowing that when they find out what is really going on, he will be far from here. There were four victims behind. And eight more to come.

Severs 12 was inhabited by sphinx-like people, or human-like sphinxes – some of them looked just like people, some – like predators with human heads, and some – like the most ordinary aliens – blue skin, elongated heads. But they were not native to Severs. But everyone, absolutely everyone, possessed a whole spectrum of supernatural abilities. However, they were supernatural for humans, but not for the inhabitants of the planet Severs 12.

For the inhabitants of Severs, such things as teleportation, telepathy, instant tissue regeneration, movement in space and time at ultrasonic speeds were the norm. All this made them significantly superior to people, but they rarely encountered them (in their pure form). Galaxis 12 was so far from the solar system, in which the Earth was located, that there was practically no chance for an inhabitant of the Earth to meet a sphinx or a humanoid sphinx. But Thunder was here many years ago as a child.

And he had no other choice but to grow up on this alien planet for him. During his stay on Earth, he became convinced that people are disgusting creatures, although there were quite decent individuals among them. They did not respect personal space at all, they never helped each other, they were at enmity with or without reason. They also killed animals for food – and this made Thunder sick in his stomach.

The only kind of "meat" that he could afford was sea creatures. there were also reservoirs on the Severs. The inhabitants of Severs were half "feline" – so there was no need for them to kill large animals.

Plus, according to Grom, it was unhygienic. Animal meat was a carrier of disease and infection.

Thunder was completely lost in his thoughts when someone called out to him:

– Anything?

He turned and saw the waiter's head bowed politely towards him. The guys worked here good, they never asked unnecessary questions.

– Yes, – Thunder cleared his throat, – Please, beer 0, 5, German, and a plate of shrimp.

– Of course! I'll bring it in a couple of minutes. Anything else?

– No, that's all, thanks.

The waiter left.

Thunder scanned the crowd. There were a lot of all sorts of trash here – accomplices, scammers, but there were also ordinary guys who came in for a drink in companies. However, literally they were all disgusting to Thunder. He didn't like people.

After a couple of minutes, suddenly one drunken man stood up and went to the Thunder table. As if by his behavior he wanted to confirm the guesses of a person from the planet Severs 12 that people are unpleasant and arrogant creatures. When Grom came in, he noticed how he was looking at him, but did not attach any importance to it.

In 3 minutes the peasant covered the distance between the tables, and, finding himself near the Thunder table, stood close to it, pouring over it with a caustic vapor of fumes.

– And you … – barely connecting the words, he said – You …! Why are you sitting here, watching everyone …? I saw you yesterday at the Heavenly Gates, you are secretive mmm … -tttype. Freak … – said the stranger to Thunder and hiccupped.

Thunder looked at him. “You apparently don't know who you are dealing with, you asshole,” he thought, starting to breathe loudly because his anger was choking him. For once, he decided to drink beer in peace!

He had already put his hand on the handle of the pistol and was thinking that he might have to make a little noise, when suddenly the standing one swayed and fell on those sitting behind him. "Heck!" – I heard from those sitting at the next table. "Damn drunk!" – a couple were indignant – a man and a woman, who were just sitting there. They began to clear the fallen man from the table, a fuss arose. Waiters arrived and the drunkard, who was running into a fight, was carried out into the street. Thunder has already stopped drinking beer, and, apparently, would have left if SHE had not entered the bar.

***********

I honestly didn't know he was here. But as soon as I opened the door, my sixth sense told me that I would see him again. This face – since I saw it up close for the first time, a couple of hours ago, it has not left my head. There were practically no facial features behind the scars, but I thought it was beautiful.

Mala caught Thunder's gaze on her and smiled timidly at him.

**********

"Heck! Who is it? I have never seen anyone who is even close to her! Besides, her appearance … I foresaw it .... She has supernatural powers – I know that one hundred percent! "

The stalker responded to the girl's smile. He didn't know what to do now – what would be the right thing – to walk up to her and speak, or just keep sitting like an idol while she was drinking with her boyfriend.

Mala finally averted her eyes and began to look for her companion. "Or a companion?" Thunder thought. In the end, Mala waved to a girl and began to squeeze over to the bar at which she was sitting.

"She's just beautiful." Thunder felt a stab in the heart, and at the same time thousands of injections all over the body. But, at the same time, I felt how the tendons were flexing. He was always nervous when it came to girls, and besides – on Earth they were all exactly the same and primitive. Girls on Earth were only interested in jewelry, expensive cars and money. The narrow-mindedness of earthly women caused even more contempt by Thunder than the human need to consume meat for food.

"No, I have to approach her!" – He reflected. “What if your girlfriend turns out to be one of these? Glamorous and primitive? Spit. I'll go to her. There may not be a second chance. "

Thunder got up and went to the bar.

************

“And here is Nadia. How glad I am to see her! – Mala was very excited and could not concentrate in any way to answer her friend's questions. – Oh my God! He is beautiful! And … – Mala turned around. – Oh my God! And he's coming here! God, God, God! " – Mala threw up her hands in her hearts and almost knocked over the glass with Nadia's cocktail.

She grabbed her friend's hand and glared at her. Unable to speak, she just laughed. Nadia also laughed out of surprise, too, unable to understand what was happening with her friend:

– Mala, are you all right? I can't understand what is happening to you …

Mala said through laughter:

– He! He … goes … syuyuu … … yes! – Nadia turned around. The thunder was already behind Mala. Nadia staggered back from her scarred face and fell silent, expecting what would happen next.

– Ladies? – Thunder said this, addressing both, but still he stood in a half-turn to Male. – Can I order you a drink?

Thunder was courteous, and that has always won women over. Nadia, recovering from the shock, began to chuckle again and patted the bag:

– Young man! We can treat ourselves to ourselves. But if you want to join, then you are welcome.

Mala gave her friend a grateful look. Thunder sat down on the edge of a chair next to Malaya and said in the same courteous tone:

– And yet, I would like to treat you to wine.

– Well, if you insist …

Mala touched the shoulder of a new acquaintance and felt an irresistible desire to escape. Such superhuman strength emanated from him that it was scary to be with him. “And yet, up close, he was even more interesting! And Beautiful! " She repeated to herself.

CHAPTER 3

The whole evening Thunder did not leave the place where Mala and Nadia were sitting. But, of course, he was interested in Mala. He wanted to know what secrets were hidden behind those green eyes and a spark of laughter and wrinkles at the corners of the eyes. He was definitely, one hundred percent sure that she possessed supernatural powers.

What is this? Perhaps she can bend objects with the power of thought … or … Maybe she is fireproof? Setting Mala on fire to check it was risky, but I wanted to find out as soon as possible. Everything became easier when Nadya, glancing at her watch, said that her husband, children, and a bunch of household chores were waiting for her. She hurriedly retreated, and Thunder was left with Malaya alone. For a while they sat in silence, as if feeling the awkwardness of sudden closeness, but then Thunder spoke:

– Tell me, Mala. I will ask directly, if you are ashamed to answer, I understand, but I ask you to answer honestly. What can you do? – he made a pause between the last two words, as if letting Male realize and feel them.

Mala, her eyes flashing for a second, inhaled, and was not immediately able to exhale. She was afraid that Thunder had guessed that she was at the murder scene tonight. “A novel that has not yet begun can end very prosaically. – thought Mala. – The ending may be quite romantic – at the end of the first date, your lover shoots at you! – she grinned at her inept black humor, and tried to gather inside, so as not to show how worried she was.

Taking a breath, she said:

– I will answer your question. Required. But I want to know what exactly you mean. Are you interested in my skill or… or ability?

Thunder stared at her evenly. Mala did not even suspect that at this moment, he silently weighed out the best compliments to her, she thought that he was just looking for a place where she could bury her corpse. Thunder leaned forward:

– Your abilities.

She already wanted to confess everything, when he suddenly put his hand on her hair and stroked it, and then said:

– Let's go out, take a walk, do you mind? It's stuffy here, and the contingent is not quite suitable for a romantic meeting. Thunder stood up and held out his hand to her. Mala thought that, despite the gross negligence, the danger that was obvious, for some reason she could trust him.

Mala took his hand and they headed for the exit.

*****

At the place where Madame Piescu's body was found – an investigation team was already working. Captain Ulysses and Lieutenant Brick examined the scene.

– They were shooting at point-blank range – said the lieutenant.

– Yes, and the shot was silent. As in the previous 3 murders.

Ulysses was a conscientious man, and when he was assigned to investigate a new case, finding the killer was a matter of honor for him. Those killed always had families, loved ones, loved ones – the captain believed that the one who takes on the role of God and takes the life of another person should be punished. Recently, cases of barbaric reprisals have become more frequent, and this seriously worried the captain.

He squatted down and took the lifeless corpse of Madame Piescu by the hand. There was dirt under the nails, but they found no signs of a struggle. Apparently, the victim did not even resist, but simply, stunned by the sight of the weapon pointed at her, allowed herself to be killed. They also found a mysterious symbol on the victim's body: "Y", which, apparently, the killer had already carved out after the murder.

What all this meant while the captain did not know, but he understood that the killer was trying to tell them something. "Or is he one of those maniacs who want to be caught?" – the captain came up with different thoughts, but there were no clear versions yet.

– Lieutenant – tell them to take the body away. We examined everything here, and collected all the evidence. I don't think it makes sense to keep a corpse here anymore.

– Yes, as the captain say.

Lieutenant Brick took out his phone and made the necessary orders.

The chain of murders reminded the captain of something, but he did not yet understand what it was. Once upon a time, back in school, they studied distant solar systems, including systems where there were not one or two suns, but much more.

“And there something was said about the union of man and the cosmos, which is indicated by the symbol“ U ”and some kind of circle, a vicious circle, or a ring? – I don’t remember which opened any gates. We may be dealing with a cosmological madman. OK let's see".

– That's all for today! – commanded the captain, and went to the patrol car.

******

As they walked down the street, Mala could barely contain a shudder. She tried to stay out of the lonely alleys, even though she believed her new friend. As soon as she aligned her pace with the companion, he took her arm and spoke again:

– So will you answer my question? – he saw the embarrassment in Mala's eyes and tried to calm her down. “I won't hurt you, and I won't give out your secrets to anyone, baby. But you have to be honest with me. You have secrets from…. People?

Thunder lightly squeezed Mala's elbow, and it seemed to her that there was no point in hiding the truth any longer, he already knew everything.

– I will answer questions to the interlocutor only when he gives his name! – Mala tried to laugh it off. "Will this postpone the inevitable confession?" – was spinning in Mala's head.

The thunder caught on.

– Yes of course. Grom smiled politely and said his name. – I understand the name is rather unusual. But it's even more like a nickname, more than a name.

Mala knew his name, but did not want to betray herself. She was glad that, impressed by their first "date", she hadn't been foolish and hadn't called him by name even before he introduced himself.

– And you are Mala. I heard Nadia calling you by your name. You called each other. – he specified.

– Yes.…

They, continuing to walk along the street, nevertheless turned into a quiet side street.

“Well, the moment has come. This magical moment when they shoot me like … like a wild cat. " Mala knew that Thunder was waiting for an answer to his question. And the more she hesitates, the more suspicious it looks.

– In general, yes, there is some secret that I hide from people … ..

– I knew it! – Thunder proclaimed loudly. He stopped and looked at her with adoring eyes. He was triumphant.

– And what is it, dear? Rather, do not be weary! Tell me? – he looked into her eyes, cheerful sparks played in his gaze.

– Sometimes I…

– You are able to withstand fire … And you bend objects with the power of thought. And you … – suddenly a yard cat jumped out from under your feet and ran off somewhere with a yell. He looked at the cat, at Mala and caught her eye.

And yet, you .... Are you a cat ??. – Thunder finally finished. – It is so?

Mala smiled wryly. So he knew the answer? That is, it is not about this stupid cat, which is out of nowhere…. He knew her secret from the beginning. It means she will not survive.

“God! How is Caesar without me ?? ".

– Yours took. – Mala powerlessly dropped her hands. – so it is … Yes, at night I turn into a cat. I'm kind of like a werewolf, only I don't like that word….

Thunder looked at her, and love shone in his eyes.

He was not going to kill her, he generally felt nothing but joy. This girl was just like him. The same unhappy one, forced to hide her true nature from people. That's who he could love. They were friends in misfortune, but this did not make their passion wretched. It just had a bit of bitterness in it. And sadness.

CHAPTER 4

Captain Ulysses could not sleep today – the eyes of the dead woman stood before his eyes. He dreamed of her hands, all blue, lifeless, and the mysterious letter "Y" on his chest.

He got up, unable to imitate a sleeping man any longer, and opened his work computer. It took him 20 minutes to punch through the database – murder histories of similar victims – with a "U" on his chest. They all had a bad reputation. Someone was caught on theft, someone on domestic violence, or, like Madame Piescu, was involved in the story of suicide.

“It looks like our killer is a conscientious one. And kills out of disgust. An old story "– Captain Ulysses rubbed his chin.

He had no idea why there was a sequence of deaths – that is, to lead the police to think about a series of murders? After all, if it were not for this letter, they would never have been able to find out that these victims have something in common. Apparently this is some kind of superstition or ritual, the implementation of which is very important for the killer, – the captain suggested, taking an energy drink out of the refrigerator. When he poured himself a glass of Red Bull, he began to ponder further, along the way sipping a cool invigorating drink.

“So: what do we have? Firstly, these are four corpses in different parts of the city. They are united by a mysterious carved symbol, the absence of witnesses, the almost complete absence of victim resistance. Is he hypnotizing them or what? – the thought of a murderer from another planet did not visit him, but nevertheless he remembered several cases when even military equipment could not catch the offender. – If we are dealing with a maniac, then he is most likely worried about the possibility of "teasing". But then … why are there no traces of violence on the victims? "

All this somehow did not want to form a coherent picture.

The captain clutched a pack of cigarettes in his hand: he remembered what and how they were told at the Academy about the capture of offenders. "If you want to catch a criminal, take to the streets." "Yes, it seems like it's time to take a walk!" Ulysses scrambled off the sofa, grabbed his jacket and ran out of the apartment into the night.

Mala and Grom stood in silence – she – not knowing what to expect, Grom – looking adoringly at her companion. "You. … – Mala began, she was already ready to confess that she saw him tonight… .– probably…. ”. "Shhhh .... – he stopped her, putting his finger to her lips Thunder said: Come with me. " He took her hand and pulled her along, and Mala followed him without asking anything.

They walked along the streets of the city, faster and faster. The thunder stopped, asked Mala to wrap his arms around his waist, and they rushed through space with incredible speed. It was a magnificent trip, the fact of which did not surprise Mala in the least, because she knew about her friend's supernatural abilities.

But the sensations were just beyond the realm. It seemed that Mala became a bird and soars beyond time and space. When they stopped to catch their breath, Mala, laughing with joy, asked what it was.

Thunder grinned contentedly.

– We moved in time. Liked? When I first experienced this, I remember how I was taken aback, not believing that it was possible in principle. From this in the blood rages … well, almost adrenaline.

– It was just magical! So! Just can't be described! You are a genius, a wizard, thank you! … – Mala laughed and fell straight into the arms of her friend.

They met eyes. Despite the superstitious fear she felt in front of him, she would not mind kissing right now. The thunder parted his mouth, and she smelled of the strong smell of cigarette smoke. "Brutal!" She thought.

– Baby, you should know. I haven’t met anyone like you yet. And if you agree to follow me, where … where I am going, I will make you my queen.

Mala opened her eyes. Wide, wide, not so much from surprise as from admiration for this mature, strong man.

– I'm ready…. She whispered. They were about to merge in a kiss, when suddenly Thunder turned her back to him and squeezed her hard. While Mala was thinking about what was happening, she saw a human figure at the end of the street.

– Let's go! – Thunder hissed in her ear, and they moved away from the figure along the street. But he apparently already noticed them, and called out: "Hey!".

The thunder turned around.

– Guys, you won't have a light? – Thunder silently took out his shabby "Zippo" and handed it to the stranger.

– You're here a little late. It's not safe here. The stranger tried to keep up the conversation.

– We are satisfied with both the place and the time – Grom avoided answering.

– Have you heard about the murder today? – Mala in horror looked at Thunder with a peripheral vision, trying not to show outwardly her excitement.

– Yes, – Grom answered in a completely neutral voice, – it seems some kind of teacher….

– Yes, we are investigating. Have you seen anything suspicious today? – Captain Ulysses looked at these two casual passers-by friendly, it seems, in general, not suspecting them of anything.

Thunder narrowed his eyes.

– Are you from the police? – He looked incredulously at his interlocutor.

“Captain Ulysses, at your service.

He gripped Mala's elbow tightly.

– No, they did not see anything, forgive the captain – Thunder answered in a hoarse bass and completely calmly. – We can hardly help anything.

Mala, trying to hide her excitement, put her gloved hand on Thunder's sleeve. The excitement she felt was stronger than one might imagine. Everything about this trio was fine: the killer, the police captain investigating the case, and she is a witness and already, probably, an accomplice.

– Okay, guys. I'll go further. I can't sleep somehow today.

– Good luck, captain. – Thunder saluted with a barely noticeable gesture, and he and Malaya rushed away.

"Good guys" – finally thought Captain Ulysses and also moved away.

Chapter 5

All night we talked with Grom about his past, his planet and the solar system.

He showed me a drawing tattooed on his neck on the left – the symbol of the planet and the system of 12 suns – a star inscribed in a hexagon, with two more figures inside, resembling an ordinary mail envelope. I ran my fingers over it and asked what it meant. “This is a symbol of faith in the union of man and the cosmos,” explained Stalker, “The hexagonal sphere symbolizes the cosmos, and the star is the heart of man. Or the Sphinx, ”he corrected himself immediately. That night we loved each other, not wanting to part for a second, unable to enjoy each other. We became lovers, allies and best friends overnight.

But Thunder did not say a word about the murders. He simply said that he sometimes has to get rid of people, as they are too intrusive – but did not go into details.

I, too, remained silent and decided that the secret would remain a secret until he was ready to accept the truth. Or, more simply, he will not fall in love to such an extent that such little things will no longer matter.

Grom said he wanted to return home, for this he needed to perform a ritual, a secret space ritual that would open the portal of death. This is the only way to get from Earth to such distant solar systems. He asked if I wanted to go with him – and I nodded.

Thunder had very strong manly hands. When Mala touched his palms, they were warm and rough. Exactly as she imagined. After intimacy, they sat in an embrace for a long time, trying not to sleep as long as possible.

In the morning, they were both squeezed out, as if they had been running all night on a treadmill or spent in the gym doing long jumps. My body was aching, my head was buzzing. Mala's beloved got up first and went to the kitchen to make coffee. When he returned, he stunned her with the words:

– Move to me.

He said this and put a cup in front of her, as if giving time to make a decision while the coffee was cooling. Mala experienced mixed feelings: both delight from the proposal, in which, of course, trust was expressed, and fear – after all, living under one roof, it will be more and more difficult to hide something or have secrets of its own.

Mala put her hand on his strong hand, covered with veins and tattoos, took the other cup, blew on the water and said:

Are you sure dear?

He nodded. Then he smiled, took Mala's chin in his hand and concluded in his hoarse voice:

– Why do we waste time?

CHAPTER 5

Thunder's apartment at Ozzy House on Seven Mountains has become not just our home, our nest, but also our headquarters. My lover worked through hundreds of scenarios every day that allowed him to speed up the process of completing the ritual. We made sorties to different parts of the city, collected the necessary amulets – somewhere it was a page of a book torn out by someone and left in a park, somewhere it was earth from a flower pot located in a specific place.

I quickly became convinced that he could do everything. Next to me was a real and reliable man, albeit with a criminal past. Yes, and real, too, why be honest? But I was so calm next to him, so warm and comfortable that I forgot to think about his personal sins.

Every day we became closer, we spent time in endless conversations, caressed each other and caressed. He sometimes went away for the evening – and I knew that we were talking about another victim. But reading him morality was not in my rules. I transported things from my attic on the Wheat Field to him and this 2148th Earth year smoothly became our common year.

Thunder once said he wanted to show me something. When I asked where we were going, he replied that we were going to the garage. But when we arrived, it turned out to be a whole hangar! When we went inside, I expected to see a plane or something like that, but what I saw was even bigger and much more unexpected!

Thunder called her (or him?) "My doll." It was a real spaceship, which, as he said, he built himself, with his own hands. What I saw impressed me in earnest! I was just dumbfounded and quietly shocked. But the most touching thing in all this was that on the left side, on the case, my name flaunted. The inscription "Mala" in English letters.

A month has passed since Captain Ulysses met this unusual couple in a deserted alley. The police were still unable to figure out what happened to the old teacher, and several more corpses were added to her.

To find out what the killer wanted to tell them, he spent days in the cosmological library. One day, he still came across a description of a similar ritual. It said that the victims in this scheme become part of a common link-like whole: a ring that closes on the 12th victim. This method opened the way to other worlds, the so-called "portal of death" – a point in space from which you can jump to another Galaxy.

“But this requires a spaceship,” the captain thought almost out loud. He looked up at the ceiling – it showed the Earth's Solar System. The supposed point was in the orbit of the moon – that is, it was possible to fly there on something terrestrial, but further? Captain Ulysses believed in God, but still did not believe in alien life. For the first time, he caught himself thinking that perhaps life could still exist in this universe or any other. If they are guests, can we stop them?

As he walked home, from the library, the captain saw a couple on the other side of the street. Boy and girl, nothing special – but he had the feeling that he knew them from somewhere. Suddenly, images of the night when the fourth victim was killed appeared in my mind. Now there were already seven victims. The captain immediately remembered these two – a creepy guy, and his beauty is a friend. For some reason now, as then, they aroused his sympathy.

Not being completely sure that they would be happy to see him, he called out to them.

Mala and Grom turned around. Mala immediately recognized the hapless police captain they met on the day they met. She wanted to whisper to Grom that they leave immediately, but Grom, as if reading her thoughts, calmly said: "Everything is all right, let's go say hello!"

Mala obeyed and they slowly covered the distance separating them from the captain.

– Well, strangers, are you all walking? It's afternoon now? Captain Ulysses joked amiably.

– Do you remember us, captain? How cute. – said Thunder quite calmly, taking out a cigarette from a cigarette case.

– You have a very colorful pair.

– Thank. Well, have you solved that case? How much has passed, about a month? Did you find anything? – Thunder conducted the conversation like a completely unrelated person, which further delighted Malu.

– Not, …. Ah … what can I call you guys?

Thunder frowned, paused for a moment, and then, shaking off the ashes, spoke again:

“Nothing personal, captain, but we wouldn't want to give our names. We're not big friends of the police. '' To Mala's great surprise, Thunder said.

– Problems with law? The captain replied, still joking.

“Not at all, captain. I just don't like people in uniform and with superior weapons.

– As you say. In general, they found nothing. There is one clue, but it's a very delusional theory, some …

– Share? – Thunder asked in a completely uninterested voice.

– There is a version that we are dealing with a maniac. There are already seven victims, and the situation is one-to-one similar in every murder. But what's most interesting, the killer seems to be performing some kind of ritual. In one of the books on cosmology, it says about some kind of ring of the Sphinx, if you believe this theory, then we will have 5 more victims, unless of course we catch it. If this is an alien, then apparently he wants to fly home.

The captain fell silent, and there was a pause. Awkward and long. Thunder ran his hand over Male's back, coughed and smiled:

“Sounds really crazy, captain.

– Yes. You're right. Well, I won't detain you anymore. I hope to see you again!

The captain shook hands with Grom, waved to Male and walked down the street towards the bridge. Grom and Mala walked in silence. Since they started dating, Mala has never transformed with him. That is, he could not make sure that it was her that he saw that evening. On the other hand, Thunder left at night in search of his victim, and Mala could freely transform into her totem.

Now it became obvious to both of them that his little secret had been revealed, Mala thought that the most logical thing would be to throw a little hysteria so as not to reveal that he was informed in his affairs. But Thunder was not one of those people with whom such a number would have passed. Therefore, Mala decided to gently make it clear that she supported him in everything, whatever it was.

“Dear, the captain said that….” She began awkwardly.

– Mala, listen! The man cut her off abruptly. – You shouldn't have learned about it this way….

– But I am not…

“I knew that you would consider me a monster, so I was silent. Unfortunately, I have no way out. I have to finish with … eliminate them to complete the ring. Only then can we fly away from here. Fuck it.

Mala said nothing. She simply hugged her beloved to make it clear that she was supporting him.

CHAPTER 6

Now Thunder has ceased to hide from Mala, which is a key link in his ritual. True, he spared her and did not discuss the subtleties of the murders with her. Just now leaving on his absences, he openly took weapons with him. He told who the next victim was, explained to Male that he was a bad person and that he should not be pitied. Mala and Stalker were spinning a roulette wheel together, but every time he pointed to a name, Male felt uneasy. She dreamed of flying away with Thunder, but believed that there was another way – to go to his homeland. When he left, she spent nights at the monitor screen, realizing that there was no real effective information on this in the World Wide Web, but still hoped to find at least something.

Mala was very worried that the police and the friendly captain would get on their trail, and the captain would stop being so friendly. All this did not give her rest, did not give her sleep at night.

Once Thunder returned home confused, muffled, and did not want to talk about anything. Mala could barely find out from him that during the next "elimination" something went wrong. Thunder was supposed to remove one director of the bank, who carried out machinations not against the state, which would be excusable, but against ordinary people. He robbed his depositors. The stalker was already pointing the barrel of his pistol at this swindler, when suddenly a desperate "Daddy!" Was heard from a car nearby.

The damn fool brought his child with him to the meeting. A boy of about five years old got out of the car and looked with all his eyes at his father and the man who pointed a gun at him. How did Thunder lure victims? He had his own simple, effective way. Since they all had skeletons in the closet, he offered to meet and discuss the reward for his silence. Under the guise of ordinary blackmail, he lured them out of the house, into a deserted place and then killed them. Thunder usually never regretted anything in passing his judgment.

But here !! This child – he changed the whole situation. Thunder could not kill a person in front of a child. So he just turned around and moved away in space and time.

Mala listened to all this with bated breath, knowing that her beloved was really going through. For the first time, there was a note of regret in his voice. Notes of remorse and pain.

That night they both slept badly, tossed and turned, hugging each other along the way, or getting up to drink water. Everything somehow began to fly to hell in an instant.

Captain Ulysses listened attentively to a banker named Ivan Zhizhov. Now the picture was a little clearer, but his theory of a conscientious killer was one hundred percent confirmed. Hearing that the killer, who had already pointed the pistol, ready to pull the trigger, let him go when he saw the child, the captain for some reason subconsciously felt sympathy for him. Now it was up to the portrait – police specialists had to restore the composite from the memory of the victim. Now they will have a face, a theory. Even the captain was not at all embarrassed by the fact that the killer offered to pray to his God to the one he was going to kill. After all, if he is capable of compassion and has a conscience, then he is able to respect someone else's faith.

The injured banker was promised that they would definitely catch the killer of all these people and the one who threatened him. The police also tried to check the number from which the sms came to the victims' numbers, but it turned out that it did not belong to anyone. And has long been listed as unattended.

In general, there were clues, but there was still no complete picture.

When the composite was ready, the captain, to his surprise, recognized his recent acquaintance in the image. Scars, tattoos, everything indicated that this was the same person whom he was so glad to see every time he happened to meet him on the street. The captain was upset. “If this guy is a murderer, I will have to arrest him. And if he really killed all these people, then he shines for life. Damn it, guy, what have you done ?? ".

The captain was determined, but did not share what he recognized this man with his colleagues. He decided to visit him himself and talk to him. After all, the guy had a life-long light – and he had to give him the opportunity to prepare.

*******************

The captain easily found out where he lived, he compared the areas where they met with the areas of murder. I found some surveillance footage and went out to the cottages at Ozzy House, on the Seven Mountains.

The next day, in the evening, he decided to visit his friend. Now he knew his name. Thunder.

As luck would have it, it was already autumn, the weather was the most disgusting, chilly wind, low gray sky. There was no time for walks on the continent at this time of year.

The captain did not take the car on purpose, as he did not want to report to him in a police car.

He guessed that this girl with beautiful eyes would also be there. But he could not help it, he might have to separate them.

He walked past the concierge, asked to check everyone who entered, and not to tell anyone that there was a policeman here.

He went up to the third floor and knocked on the door.

– Who's there? – There was a bass rolling voice of Thunder.

“This is Captain Ulysses, friends. Please let me in. While on a friendly visit. – the captain's voice was from somewhere far away, but Mala and Grom looked at each other doom. It occurred to them that now, according to the recollections of that hipster-banker, they could make his composite sketch, but they hoped that he would not remember the face of his potential killer from how hard he had done it in his pants.

Thunder stood up to open the door. Mala held his hand. – We don't have to do this. He does not have permission to inspect our apartment. In the meantime, he will receive it, we may already be in the orbit of the moon.

– And then what, Mala? – Grom sighed sadly. He went to the door and opened it.

– Captain Ulysses? What are the fates? – the silent captain stood before him. His jacket was covered in raindrops, a cap on his head, and a hood on top of it.

– Mr. Thunder? – the captain's face was calm. But the decisive intonation in his voice betrayed his intentions.

– You can just Vermouth.

– May I come in?

– Yes of course. Welcome to our humble home.

The captain entered and looked around. On the floor lay a map of the Earth's solar system, and next to it there was another – which showed several suns. There were so many suns that it dazzled in the eyes – the captain counted ten, but I'm not sure if they were all.

– In general – let's get straight to the point, – began the captain, – you are going "home", right?

– It's not so captain….

“And you needed that damn death ring for that …

– Captain …

– Damn it, Vermouth! Was there no other way to get out of here?

Mala followed the dialogue of these two with all eyes. In her gaze, if someone now paid attention to her, sorrow and a sense of guilt were read. She felt like a hunted animal, which the hunter does not allow to go outside.

“Apparently it wasn't, Captain.” Thunder sighed and sat down on the arm of the sofa.

– Do you understand that I have to arrest you? – the captain was clearly upset. It was obvious that he was worried, but why? Why did he care about the fate of this man? Perhaps because he saw that despite the fact that he was a murderer, he was much better than many who roamed the city, country, planet freely?

– For this, you first have to catch me. – Thunder looked with his clear sad eyes, straight into the eyes of the captain. There was no challenge or audacity in them, only sadness.

“Do you think I’ll have a problem with this?” – the captain was beginning to get angry. But not against Thunder, but against himself, because he did not want to arrest him at all.

“It's not that easy captain.

– In general, Vermouth, you can come to the police with a confession and I can plead for a commutation of the sentence.

“It won't, Captain.

Captain Ulysses suddenly realized that the conversation was over.

CHAPTER 7

When Captain Ulysses left Mala and Grom's apartment, everything in their house somehow immediately turned gray and gloomy. Both understood that now the time for a carefree life had passed. In the near, very soon, they will have to leave their nest on the Seven Mountains and hit the road. Both understood, but to talk about it – neither she nor he had the strength.

Mala, watching Thunder mechanically, as if on autopilot, makes coffee and leaves, closing herself in her room – passing by and not even looking at their bedroom – began to collect things in silence. No, she was not going to leave him! She just wanted to be ready if they suddenly needed to run away at breakneck speed. At any moment, a whole police squad could be under the windows of the house, it depended only on the captain's conscience. How much time will he give them? That was the question.

Thunder left the room only in the morning. Without saying anything or explaining, he threw to Male: "Get ready, we are leaving" and went into the bath to take a shower. When Mala said that she had everything ready, she read from his face that he was pleasantly surprised.

They went outside, got into the car – there was no police nearby. Thunder pressed on the gas, and they rushed through the empty streets of the city. It was five thirty in the morning. Mala didn’t ask where they were going, she didn’t care: “The main thing is to get out of this damn city,” she thought.

When they arrived, Mala recognized the place immediately. There was a ship here. A ship named after her. Little bird.

Thunder slowed down and looked at Mala.

– We've arrived – he said in an unusual conciliatory tone. There were kind notes in the voice. Later, Mala thought that all the creatures of the Universe, returning home, become kinder.

– But … – Mala convulsively fiddled with the handle of her bag.

– M? – Thunder answered all the same without a shadow of anger.

– But how are we? … After all, only seven people … Ritual …

Thunder suddenly embraced her and said:

– We'll try my love! – Tears flowed down Mala's cheeks, from his unexpected kindness, from the solemnity of the moment. From everything! She cried and said: “I'm with you! At least to the edge of the universe, I'm with you! ". The thunder stroked her, it seemed to him that he was no longer capable of anything else, because his woman was crying. But they both pulled themselves together. Suddenly the sun came out and Mala thought it was a good sign.

They went into the hangar. Thunder lit the light: suddenly thousands of lights around the entire perimeter of the room shone brightly, as if thousands of stars were flashing.

– Well, let's ride ?? – already almost cheerfully shouted Thunder. His voice echoed through the empty room.

Mala's breath caught in her throat. She was to become the first person to go on such a long journey. Apart from the pioneers from Earth who visited Severs in the distant 2036. But they have long been mixed with the locals – so that it was as if the first.

– What is the name of your totem? Grom asked suddenly.

– M? What? – Mala woke up from her thoughts.

– Totem? What do you call yourself turning into a cat? – he removed the protective covering from the ship – something like a canvas cloth.

– No way! I don’t name… ”Mala shouted, choking with the grandeur of the sight of their flying Dutchman.

– Well, you know, when the Russians sent animals, dogs into space, they called them Belka and Strelka. What will be the name of the first cat that will fly from Earth to Severs? – Thunder was unusually cheerful and spoke somehow ardently, with inspiration.

– I do not know! Mala shouted again and laughed.

`` Transform. '' Thunder almost ordered.

All internal "buzz" vanished as if by hand. The realization that she never told the truth to her beloved suddenly hit her over the head.

– What for? She backed away, as if he could force her to transform.

– I have never seen you transform. Let me have a last look at your Frog Princess!

– He said happily, smiling.

– Princess Frog? – Mala did not understand.

– An old earthly tale. Never mind.

Thunder glared at her, staring at her.

Okay. – Mala hugged herself with narrow arms, and suddenly, instead of a standing girl, in her place was a black cat, with a white tip on its tail – a light bulb.

The thunder was stupefied. He felt as if he saw the sacrament of communion, saw the earthly God or his resurrection.

He walked over to her and stroked her.

– Looking into the eyes of the animal, which was his girlfriend, he said, his words were full of tenderness:

– You understand everything?

– Meow. – Mala answered. And rubbed against him.

Thunder looked again at her, then at her tail, and suddenly a picture of two months ago came to mind. The day he shot that teacher.

– Mala, so you … you saw – he began to choke, but not from anger, but from chagrin.

Mala meowed pitifully, and began to hiss, then a bright spot appeared and she turned back. She was shaking a little, like every time after the transformation, but she immediately began to try to say something in her defense:

“I didn't want to tell you. You would not understand, I thought you would kill me if you find out … – she said through a shiver.

The thunder stood in silence.

– You thought I was a beast? – He said resentfully. Inherent only to people. This moment turned him into a person.

“I thought you were eliminating witnesses.

– But I loved you! – his resentment was even more reflected in his voice.

– I know, darling, let's forget about it. You will not leave me here, now … When we are on the verge of …

She bit her tongue. “From the greatest journey of our life.

The thunder exhaled. Tears appeared in his eyes.

– Of course I won't. Just begging, never, never lie to me again. He hugged her again.

– I promise! I promise darling, – Mala almost shouted with joy and began to squeeze him in her arms.

Thunder offered Mala his hand and they both climbed into the cockpit of the aircraft. The cockpit had two seats.

– It seems we met you two months ago…. Where did the two seats come from? – Mala joked, pretending that she was jealous.

– I added the second when I met you.

Oh! Mala covered her face with her hands. Her cheeks were burning and she was shaking a little more.

They were about to have the most significant event in their life – it is even more than marriage or children … this is a new birth! Mala began to remember how much she had seen in her incomplete 7 and a half lives. There were two more in stock. I wonder if they will be counted at Severs? She thought about her friend Nadya, about her family, children, about simple earthly joys – she said goodbye to all of this right now, right at that second. And Mala thought – she was sure of it – that she no longer regretted anything. Here, on Earth, nothing kept her: her parents died when she was little, she had no brothers and sisters, she had no children, colleagues, or a favorite job. She only had him and a ticket to this new unknown life. And she was ready for this path.

Suddenly a logical thought struck her and she looked out through the side window:

– How do we get out of here? Here is the roof!

She was really worried about this question. If they make a lot of noise, they might be noticed.

Thunder smiled indulgently and took hold of the dimple on her cheek with his hand:

– The roof is sliding. Everything is thought out, baby.

Mala nodded. The ship hummed. Thunder one after another raised all the switches. The cockpit began to glow, Mala felt the weight in her legs – as if Gravity had changed.

Will we feel weightlessness? She asked dreamily.

– Surely – said Thunder and smiled:

– And even make love.

“Hmm…” Mala lowered her gaze in embarrassment.

– Ready? – Thunder looked at her and infected her with those sparks in her eyes. She also felt the excitement.

– A thousand times, yes, let's fly soon.

Thunder was about to hit "Go" when suddenly they heard a knock outside. Thunder extinguished some of the lights and, telling Male to wait here, went outside

Captain Ulysses was standing at the entrance.

– Captain … you probably brought … I don't want to …

“It's okay, you don't have to kill me. I came myself and all this bullshit – there are no heaps of police cars and helicopters outside.

– Okay, then why are you here.?

Captain Ulysses smiled. – I came to say goodbye

“Very nice of you, but I don’t …

– Captain Ulysses – Mala shouted as she ran down the ladder.

– Your friend seems glad to see me more. The captain said hopefully.

Mala held out her hand. “We couldn't have left without saying thank you.

Thunder looked at Mala and his gaze warmed.

– Yes captain. Mala is right. Thank. – his bass became warm in a friendly way, and nostalgic notes flickered in his voice.

– Drop it! I could not do otherwise. You are both good guys. I will miss you! – Ulysses held out his hand to Thunder for a handshake.

– Thank you, captain! – Thunder shook the outstretched hand -Can you want with us? We will find a place for you in the luggage compartment. “Thunder is joking, which means he's completely relaxed,” Mala thought.

– No, I’m here somehow. Moreover, everyone should be where his home is.

“And that's true, captain. We have to go.

– Go. go, I'll stand here.

Every traveler should have someone who stands on the platform and waves to him for forgiveness. Forward! Don't mind me!

Thunder nodded, and they stepped quickly towards the ship. Soon they were back in the cockpit.

Mala remembered how the ship hummed, the roof parted from above, remembered the captain's sad and slightly worried face, and then only light, clear heavenly moonlight, and weightlessness.

Mala spent the most important moment when they had to jump to another galaxy half asleep. Space sickness happened to her. But one thing she knew for sure that they managed to do it – when she woke up, before her eyes was already a completely different planet, also blue, also green – but it was a system of twelve suns. They were already at Severs 12.

When Captain Ulysses left their cozy nest on the Seven Mountains, he did not find a place for himself. In his mind, duty, honor and conscience were attacked by his sympathy for these people, or almost people. He was faced with a dilemma: to tell everything in the police station, and after a few hours there would be several outfits and armored vehicles near their house, or let them leave. This decision was difficult for him, but the captain decided not to say anything to his colleagues. He remembered how he visited his grandmother in childhood, and how bullies who were much older than him were bullied at him. And all he dreamed of was to go home.

He couldn't blame the man who wanted to fly home. He had no such right.

After all, his story was just beginning.