Chapter 1. 6. Souvenir

  At first I even thought it was a child – that was the size of the doll.

  But it wasn’t a child, it was a doll, and it was sitting in a doll pose, legs spread out, eyes wide open, but not shining like a monkey’s.

  It was looking straight at me. I was about to close the closet when the doll blinked.

  I froze, looking at it, and then decided that I had imagined it.

  I closed the closet, but after thinking about it, I opened it again.

  The doll was standing.

  It wasn’t sitting as before, with its arms outstretched and eyelashes naively open, but was standing with its arms down, looking down, as if expecting something.

  It was a living doll, mechanical.

  I looked at the doll standing in the gray-brown semi-darkness of the empty plywood section, and I wanted to quickly close the door and move something heavy towards it.

  A table, for example, whose dubious drawers I no longer wanted to pull out.

  I suddenly became convinced that while I was looking at the doll, she was looking at me.

  Her face was almost adult, unnaturally beautiful: wide-set eyes with shadows, as if made up, long eyelashes, a small nose, a pale mouth, a faint blush on matte, slightly sunken cheeks.

  I shook myself.

  I closed the closet tighter, and suddenly the light went out.

  I backed away.

  From the closet I heard a rustling sound, then the creaking of the door.

  That's how doors open in an empty house at night.

  I felt hot.

  I found myself in the corridor.

  Lagoon was standing by the railing, having gotten a cigar somewhere, and was smoking.

  I beckoned to him.

  “I'll show you a surprise.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Honestly?”

  “Honestly. Don't be afraid.”

  Lagoon's eyes flashed wildly, interrupting the bidding.

  “Draw me a portrait...”

  We found the doll by the window.

  She was holding onto the curtain.

  I saw her hand squeezing the thick fabric.

  Lagoon's face lengthened.

  “Chic,” he muttered and blinked. “What a farce...”

  “You treat the child.”

  Lagoon handed the doll the chocolate. Unprecedented generosity.

  But when it came to food for Lagoon, nothing was impossible.

  The doll accepted the gift and also blinked unscientifically. Once, twice.

  She blinked non-stop, as a person does, and looked from one face to another.

  I leaned over and picked her up, cautiously, like a mine.

  The doll in my hands blinked languidly, almost languidly.

  She was heavy and a little warm, and suddenly she seemed to come to life: she stirred, moved her arms and legs.

  I put her on the floor, and she walked.

  The doll walked confidently and gracefully, like people walk.

  “Menu,” she said.

  She walked straight to Lagoon, who, forgetting to introduce himself, briskly jumped back.

  She turned to the side in front of the chair leg.

  I decided to take the doll with me to give it to my sister.

  Vitamin looked into the office.

  “Police!” he said sharply.

  We climbed out onto the roof. There was a fish van below.

  The spontaneous Lagoon, as usual, spat with a brutal face. The divers raised their heads.

  We recoiled, and I pushed Lagoon. He smiled.

  Having descended, we walked along the dimly lit street.

  The practical Vitamin smiled dreamily. There were no document in the archive.

  Neither laudatory nor compromising.

  The season is coming soon. Tourists will flood into the town.

  At this time, despite the heat, everyone is striving, quickly passing the dirt of a dump that belongs to no one, with capital treats to the romantic, sensual coast.

  It's hot, of course, but the tan is appropriate.

  Everyone is in a great mood.

  Exotic!

  Vitamin, in addition to his obvious trading talent, had enviable energy.

  The clever guy could, for the sake of business, with the most elevated air, idly participate in all the stupid school and social events, tirelessly clapping his hands and selflessly laughing.

  He should become mayor. I didn't think about it seriously.

  A native Brake unexpectedly appeared out of the darkness to meet us, smiling widely and warningly.

  His face sparkled in the circle of light. He smiled wider and wider.

  Lagoon loudly and expressively made a candy sound.

  His blooming face with atavistically wide round brow ridges and a large mouth expressed complete carelessness.

  Frighteningly heavy biceps stood out on his bare arms.

  He was very strong.

  Figures appeared behind the native.