Читать книгу: «All at once», страница 2

– You sure? – Orlov asked skeptically.

– Yes, sure!

– Strange!

– What?

– Nothing… Tell me, Vasilyev, yesterday or the day before, did patrol detain any drunk citizens?

– No, Comrade Captain!

– Sure?

– Yes, sure! All incidents strictly logged. None yesterday! But today… you didn’t let me finish. Today they detained—

– At 06:30? – Orlov interrupted.

– Exactly! – Vasilyev said, puzzled. – How did you know?

Orlov broke into a sweat… heart raced faster…

– Hello? Comrade Captain… Hello! – Vasilyev persisted.

– Vasilyev, stop shredding your throat… with that loud voice! I hear you fine. Knew it… part of the job! Got it?

– Yes, got it. – Vasilyev mumbled, confused.

– All right, report accepted! Call if incidents occur!

– Serving the Soviet Union!

– At ease!

Orlov hung up, stood, and walked to the window. Bright sunlight blinded him… He closed his eyes, gathering thoughts… Trying to comprehend. Reasoning:

– This must have a logical explanation! How do I know what I can’t know? What’s happening? Has this happened before? Nonsense! Can’t be!

Chest tight… hard to breathe… Am I sick? What’s wrong?

 
At the Same Time
08:00, December 3, 1983
Apartment of Andrei Maltsev
 

– Andrei, get up, we’re leaving! – Lyuba shouted, closing the door. Andrei opened one eye, barely replying as the door slammed… Squinting at sunlight, he sat up slowly. Suddenly, he stood abruptly and marched to the kitchen wall with the tear-off calendar… Ripped off yesterday’s page, waited anxiously a few seconds. Then sighed deeply and opened the kitchen table drawer…

Among many torn pages, two identical ones lay neatly on top – both for December 2nd! In his hand, he held a third! Exhaling, Andrei slowly retrieved the two pages and sat at the table. Placed all three there… Studied, compared, scrutinized them… Then stood, threw *all* drawer pages into the trash. Carefully placed only December 2nd pages into the now-empty drawer. Andrei stood motionless, silent for minutes. Thinking… Many dark thoughts flooded his mind!

To distract himself, he decided to make breakfast. Thinking’s easier on a full stomach! And time for work.

 
Later That Day
13:35, December 3, 1983
Cafeteria, Timber Processing Plant
 

Andrei Maltsev and his workmate Viktor ate lunch.

– Great soup today! Awesome! – Viktor chewed admiringly.

– Yeah… – Andrei muttered thoughtfully.

– Glad I got seconds. Skipping main course. Better enjoy soup. This borscht… – Viktor moaned with pleasure.

– Where’ll you celebrate New Year? As usual? – Viktor asked.

– Yeah, – Andrei said automatically. Finishing his compot, added:

– Finished? Time to load planks! They won’t load themselves!

– Hmm… let’s go! – Viktor said, surprised. – Took the words right out of my mouth!

At the Same Time

13:35, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Orlov called the duty officer. Asked about the city. Vasilyev reported all calm! With one exception…

Since morning, more people than usual sought medical help… Complaints: Persistent headache, weakness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat.

– Understood! – said Orlov. – Call immediately if worsening!

– Yes, Comrade Captain!

– At ease!

After minutes of thought, Orlov called the checkpoint where his driver, Sergeant Smirnov, waited. Told him to warm up the UAZ jeep and wait at HQ gates. Ten minutes later, they drove to City Clinic. Upon arrival, the chief physician assured Orlov no panic! Seasonal, she said… Bodies reacting to weather changes. Magnetic storms likely… Sun abnormally bright for early December. Though she noted patients with such symptoms weren’t unprecedented, *this* volume was unrecalled. Still, she promised no cause for panic! To update Orlov if things worsened.

The UAZ moved slowly down the frozen road…

Orlov gazed out the window, thinking:

– Something *must* happen! What? He didn’t understand his premonitions… Why? Depressing…

Anxiety grew…

That Evening

19:50, December 3, 1983

Apartment of Andrei Maltsev

Andrei and Lyuba were in the kitchen. He picked at his soup; she watched adoringly. Lights off; only kitchen lit. Children asleep…

Andrei and Lyuba whispered quietly.

– How was your day? Tired? – Lyuba asked. – No appetite?

– Huh? No! I just… – Andrei hesitated.

– What’s wrong?

– With me?

– Yes! You! Something at work? Tell me!

– Work… fine… Lyuba, ever had déjà vu?

– What’s that?

– Déjà vu. When you feel a situation’s happened before! Understand? Ever felt that?

– Hmm… dunno… – she pondered. – Can’t recall… why?

– Nothing. Just asked! Andrei didn’t want to scare Lyuba. He needed to figure this out alone!

– Maybe just tired? – Lyuba stroked his shoulder. – Eat, then sleep! Morning will fix everything! Your déjà vu and all! – She rose, kissed his cheek.

Andrei smiled.

– By the way… – Lyuba remembered. – Our Seryozha got an A in math today! And Masha…

Kitchen lights died. Fridge silenced…

Andrei sat frozen, fear paralyzing him. Muscles numb. He couldn’t move… Blood trickled from his nose…

19:50, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Captain Orlov sat at his desk, writing briskly in the duty log…

He paused, lost in thought. Anxiety wouldn’t release him… Sighing heavily, he resumed writing.

Then picked up the phone to call Moscow with his daily report. Dead silence… Orlov grew seriously alarmed. Government line dead? Unprecedented! Dizziness hit. Hard to breathe…

Slightly calmer, he called the duty officer, ordering signalmen to fix intercity lines immediately.

Orlov rose, paced his office. Heart pained terribly; sweat broke out…

He slapped his cheeks hard. – *Snap out of it! Soviet officer! Come on… Need to go home. Just overworked! Plus these… magnetic storms! Home! Urgently home, sleep!*

He froze. A wave of fear and panic washed over him…

With sudden horror, he realized – he couldn’t remember… didn’t know where he lived! Remembered nothing!

Heart clenched his chest… Lump in throat… Gasping, he barely managed:

– What’s wrong with me?

Suddenly, the office darkened further…

Orlov looked out the window.

Streetlights off. Nearby houses dark too.

Staggering, he approached his desk, grabbed the phone to call the duty officer…

Drops of blood, one by one, hit the phone…

He wiped his nose. Blood on hand.

– What?.. – he barely uttered before losing consciousness.

The Next Morning

08:00, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

The phone rang like mad…

Orlov sat at his desk, empty gaze fixed ahead…

Weakness throughout his body, fog in his head…

Slowly, trembling hand lifted the receiver:

– Orlov… – he barely moved his lips.

– Comrade Captain, permission to report. Duty Officer Vasilyev.

– Ah… Vasilyev! Again? Report. Drunk detained… driven home… What else?

– Aah… – Vasilyev clearly bewildered, stumbled verbally. Didn’t know what to say. His brain’s regulations short-circuited… He was used to Captain Orlov always alert, by-the-book! Serious!

But here… someone mumbled! Drunk? Vasilyev thought. Though Orlov never drank… Why talk like this? How did he know about the detained citizen? Strange!

– Well… – said Orlov. – Understood… Silence, I manage alone! Report accepted! Goodbye. At ease!

He hung up.

– There! – he muttered. – How do I know all this? My head… my state… What’s wrong? Must see Klavdia Vasilyevna… she’ll help! Give pills…

He rubbed his face, slapped his cheeks to compose himself. Then, gritting teeth, stood and staggered to the medical unit.

Knocked… No answer. Opened the door sharply, entered.

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, may I? – he asked, closing the door.

– Yes, Petya, come in. – she replied tiredly.

Klavdia Vasilyevna sat at her desk, washing down a pill she’d just chewed.

– What’s wrong, headache? – she asked, setting down the empty glass.

– What? Yes… No! Yes! How’d you know? – Orlov sat beside her.

– Many have headaches today! That kind of day… crazy! Usually dawns late winter… But here… Sun shining since 6 AM, like summer! Pity it doesn’t warm! Hate winter!

– Agree! – Orlov smiled.

She smiled back:

– My friend from the hospital called. Said they’re swamped…

– Meaning?

– Many patients! Really many!

– Seriously?

– Yes! Said if this continues, patients’ll line corridors. Not enough beds! Symptoms all same:

Headache, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, psychosis… Horror!

– Strange! – Orlov frowned. – I was there yesterday… or… I *was* there…

– Why yesterday? I mean *today*. Yesterday was calm. This morning… chaos! She said the chief physician won’t report to authorities yet… Afraid? Dunno… Anyway, lively day! So it got you too? This madness? Headache?

– What?

– I said, did this day touch you with its madness? Headache?

– Well, yes… – Orlov smiled guiltily.

– How so? – Klavdia teased. – Invincible, mighty Captain Orlov defeated by a headache? Known you years, never saw you sick! Here… Look! Headache like all mortals! Don’t worry, I’ll give a pill, all pass… Hope! Mine hasn’t yet!

She opened her desk drawer, pulled out two pills:

– Here, take two now.

Orlov smiled, silently stared at the floor… He knew Klavdia joked, but still ashamed! Of his weakness and helplessness. Ashamed he didn’t know what was happening? Didn’t control the situation… as usual! Soviet officer, duty-bound to protect this city from any danger! Orlov didn’t know how! For that… he felt deep shame!

– Come on, take them, Petya! – Klavdia offered.

Breathing heavily, he slowly, shamefully took them, pocketed them, mumbled shyly:

– Thank you! Take later… head doesn’t hurt much.

– Well, as you wish. I’ll take another… Blood pressure’s jumping, awful!

Gathering courage, Orlov cautiously asked:

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, can someone forget where they live?

– Meaning?

– Forget! Can’t recall address, apartment layout… nothing!

– Wow! – she was surprised. – Interesting! And remembers nothing?

– Nothing at all!

– Absolutely nothing?

– Yes! Just – poof – forgot! Possible?

– Who is this?

– An acquaintance.

– What acquaintance?

– You don’t know him!

– Petya, what’s wrong? Speak!

– I… well… I say… an acquaintance forgot where he lives. Possible? How cure?

– Your… this acquaintance, drink?

– No!

– Hit his head?

– No!

Use narcotics?

– No!

– You answer confidently – ask your acquaintance?

– No need to ask, I know everything about him!

– You’re that close?

– Yes!

– Wow! – Klavdia eyed him skeptically. – I see! – she said slowly.

Orlov wished the earth would swallow him. He was a man of honor, always truthful! Yet here, forced to lie! To Klavdia Vasilyevna… someone he deeply respected!

– So, possible? How treat? – he asked, eyes down.

– Of course possible! From fatigue or severe stress. Alcohol or narcotics use. Head injury. Many reasons to lose memory. Need to see him! Can’t say without examination! Tell him to come. Tests… If we can help, we will! If complex case, send to Moscow.

– Okay, thanks. Tell him if I see him… – Orlov stood hastily. – Well, I must go… – He wanted to flee. Conscience tormented him for lying.

– Wait… – Klavdia called.

Orlov was leaving… He turned.

– You told me… about your acquaintance… And I thought… I don’t remember… how I got to work today! Probably headache. Blood pressure awful! Everything foggy…

Orlov swallowed nervously. Scared… for Klavdia! He didn’t know what to say. How to help?

Headache intensified… heartbeat, dizziness… He could barely stand! Needed to say something, support… but words failed!

He simply stared silently…

– Okay… – Klavdia breathed heavily. – I’ll lie on the couch, rest, something’s… Go Petya, go, all be fine! Don’t pity me… Don’t worry, all good… Truly! I can care for myself… Grown woman. Officer. Go!

– I… – Orlov whispered. – Visit later. Rest… Thank you! Get well!

Klavdia Vasilyevna smiled.

He quietly closed the door, slowly walked to his office. Suddenly, inspiration struck:

– Smirnov! My driver… *He* knows where I live. Tell him to drive me home! That’s it!

Energized, he entered his office, called the duty officer…

Soon, he sat in the UAZ:

– Smirnov, urgently need home! Drive me. Pick me up in two hours.

– Okay, Comrade Captain! – Smirnov said cheerfully. – Need it, must do!

The UAZ sped off but slowed after a hundred meters… Stopped roadside.

– What’s wrong? Why stop? – Orlov asked.

Smirnov sat silently, gripping the wheel, staring ahead, breathing heavily…

– Answer! Why stop?

Smirnov suddenly sniffled, cried.

– What? – Orlov asked. – What’s wrong?

– I don’t know where you live! – Smirnov sobbed. – Forgive me, Comrade Captain! I forgot… why? Forgive! I don’t remember…

He kept apologizing, weeping…

Orlov tried maintaining composure. Tried understanding. First him, then Klavdia. Now his driver, Sergeant Smirnov… All lost memory! What’s happening? What? Thoughts tangled… chest heavy… Heart felt squeezed!

– Okay… stop… – Orlov said, gathering thoughts. – All good! I’ll get home myself. Or drive me when you remember. Honestly, busy… So… Back to HQ!

Patting Smirnov’s shoulder, he calmly watched the window. Pretended all was fine. Though fear gripped his mind! Something deep in memory clawed like a wild beast to surface… Orlov felt with every cell – this memory would soon… break free, and he’d understand!

 
At the Same Time
08:00, December 3, 1983
Apartment of Andrei Maltsev
 

– Andrei, get up, we’re leaving! – Lyuba shouted, closing the door.

– I love you! – Andrei said suddenly.

Lyuba stopped on the threshold…

Hearing this surprised and pleased her! She thought Andrei slept.

– Love you too! – she smiled, slowly closing the door…

Andrei got out of bed, walked briskly to the kitchen. Approached the tear-off calendar…

Ripped off yesterday’s page. Opened the kitchen cabinet drawer, slowly placed it inside…

– Four… Now four! – he said, voice trembling.

Minutes passed, Andrei stood silently staring at the pages…

– What’s happening? What?

Fog in his head… thoughts tangled… He struggled to hold on! Suddenly wanted to run, hide…

Panic attacks, oxygen deprivation hindered focus… Andrei sweated profusely!

– Why does this day repeat? What’s happening? Or… am I dead?

He sat, did breathing exercises to normalize his heartbeat.

His wife taught him… Her father taught her… Before he left the family…

Calmer, Andrei decided to skip work. Dedicate time to solving… this insane day… He called his foreman:

– Hello! Sanych, Andrei Maltsev. Can’t come today. Sick, something…

– Maltsev! – the foreman yelled. – What the hell? I’m sick too! Head splitting, dizzy… But *I’m* working!

– Sanych, can’t. Sorry!

– Maltsev… Andrei heard the foreman’s angry breathing.

– You… – he spat viciously. – Anyway… if not here tomorrow, fired to hell! Got it?

– Got it!

– One day… hear? One!

Long dial tone…

– Sanych, you won’t even remember tomorrow! – Andrei hung up.

A polyglot and avid book lover, Andrei had amassed a decent library. Not just fiction… Dictionaries, reference books, scientific articles from journals.

He decided to start by studying those articles.

Then… refresh his memory by rereading favorite sci-fi stories. Soviet and foreign authors. Without delay, he got to work! Settling into the large armchair in the bedroom.

 
Later That Day
13:45, December 3, 1983
Apartment of Andrei Maltsev
 

Andrei reheated lunch. While eating, digested what he’d read…

Books were familiar. Rereading felt like remembering… Glancing at one word, skipping to the next. He knew these works almost by heart!

But reviving them in memory was necessary! Today, he read not for pleasure. Andrei sought clues… Sci-fi writers often predicted what later came true…

For now… Andrei decided to observe people outside. Scout the city…

Start downtown. Lived nearby…

He retrieved his old binoculars from the hallway shelf. Took a notebook and pen from the children’s room. Put everything in the bag Lyuba sewed from old pants. (He usually took it to work.)

Dressed and walked out unhurriedly.

Frost nipped cheeks and nose. Andrei rubbed and warmed them. He walked, scrutinizing everything. Passersby seemed nervous, tense, worn out and lost.

Ambulances passed frequently.

– Strange! – Andrei thought. – Third one in ten minutes. What’s happening? Epidemic?

He took out notebook and pen, jotted observations. Reached central square. Sat on a bench near Lenin’s statue. Observed through binoculars…

Recorded interesting or odd things.

After thirty minutes, thoroughly chilled, he headed home.

– Need to talk to Lyuba today. Explain what’s happening. – Andrei said, teeth chattering. Hurried, almost ran home.

Later That Day

14:36, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Orlov stood by the window, squinting as snowflakes drifted down… Against blindingly bright sun, white fluffy snow. Each flake refracted light, sparkling like diamonds!

– Amazing, beautiful sight! – Orlov thought.

It hypnotized him. He watched, transfixed. Until suddenly, he saw a passing car… strangely familiar…

– Nonsense? – Orlov muttered. – Orange Moskvich with a Christmas tree tied to the roof… Elderly woman driving… I’ve seen this! When? There… almost hit a man… Impossible! I saw this… Already seen it! Exactly! Then a street cleaner… lit a cigarette. Now he’ll slip… Exactly! What? Impossible! How? Why know this? Calm!

He stepped back, paced nervously…

Dizziness hit… sweated. Oxygen deprived…

Orlov opened the window, inhaled cold fresh air deeply. Couple more breaths, closed it.

Leaned elbows on the sill, closed eyes… Head splitting… Weakness. Chest heavy.

Memories jumbled… Hard to distinguish recent from distant!

He inhaled slowly, held breath… Tried gathering consciousness.

Counted to five…

Exhaled.

Orlov learned this self-control technique in childhood…

Inhaled, held breath…

– I can! – he mentally said. – I must! Obliged! Remember… How do I know? Why in my head? Must remember… understand!

Counted to five…

Exhaled…

Inhaled, held breath…

Remember! Remember! Remember!

Counted to five…

Exhaled…

Gradually, memories formed logical chains – then collapsed, tangled again.

Formed, tangled…

He inhaled, focused…

Calmed.

Exhaled.

Pain slowly faded.

Another effort…

Another…

Another…

He finally subdued it!

Learned to control!

Now he commanded!

Pain gone!

Memory-puzzle pieces fell into place. Not all clear, much foggy… but progress!

Orlov opened his eyes.

– This already happened! – he said confidently. – I remembered! Yesterday. Or… how? Why repeat?

After seconds:

– Yes… today. Happened today! How? Why?

Thoughts suddenly interrupted…

Orlov noticed a suspicious man on a park bench, almost under his window…

This man observed people, houses, passing cars through binoculars… Then jotted notes.

– What? – Orlov bristled. – A spy under my window?

He squinted, peered…

– Bring you here! Then figure out who you are! – Throwing on his greatcoat, he ran outside.

Crossed the road, reached the square…

– Where’d you go? – he shouted, looking around. – Vanish into thin air… Bastard!

Orlov was too late – the suspicious man with notebook and binoculars was gone…

 
That Evening
19:05, December 3, 1983
Apartment of Andrei Maltsev
 

– Lyuba, finally home! – Andrei said excitedly as she entered.

– You’re home early? – she asked joyfully. – Off early? Why?

– Yeah… What? No! Skipped work today. Lyuba, not now…

– Andrei, what’s wrong?

– Asked off. Said sick!

– You’re sick?

– No! Lyuba, come in… Get settled. I’ll explain! Kitchen.

– The kids?

– Kids fine! Homework done. Fed. Getting ready for bed…

– What’s wrong? Scaring me!

– Lyuba, sit… Andrei pulled his chair closer, took her hands.

– Lyuba, see… thing is… don’t know how to start…

– Andrei…

– Please, don’t interrupt! Thing is, this day… this one. It’s happened before! Multiple times! It repeats! Don’t know why… but… working on it. I’ll figure it out, explain later.

– Andrei…

– Lyuba, don’t interrupt! I asked… I know it sounds crazy! But… I have proof! Andrei stood, went to the kitchen cabinet. Retrieved calendar sheets.

– See? Four… identical! Each day, more… Know what it means?

– What?

– This day repeats, over and over… Five times straight!

– Andrei…

– My dear, I’ll solve why. Just wanted you to know. Though… tomorrow, you likely won’t remember this talk.

– Andrei… – Lyuba stroked his arm. – Many had a hard day today… headaches, high blood pressure. Maybe you imagined?

– Lyuba! – Andrei snapped. – There are *four*! How imagine that? Sane? What are you saying?

– Well, misprint?

– Four times straight?

– Andrei, don’t shout! Listen! Galya, from work… says Americans are poisoning us from space.

– What? Nonsense? How?

– How should I know? Says poisoning with lasers… or pressure… Forget. Many feel bad today! Ambulances everywhere… Our street cleaner, Prokhor Fomich, blames the institute!

– Meaning? What institute?

– The one on the outskirts… Nuclear Physics. Recently built.

– Well… what? Connection?

– Dunno… But Prokhor Fomich said something’s off about it… Suspicious!

– Specifics, Lyuba!

– Said when picking berries on outskirts, saw long trenches dug around the city. Pipes laid there… with wires.

– What?

– Yeah… Galya and I laughed at him. But he was serious… Said, “Don’t laugh, no joke!”

– Then what? Pipes?

– Don’t know! Not sure… Pipes connected to the institute.

– Why?

– Don’t know, Andrei!

– What else he say about it?

– Said if it’s so guarded and hidden… means bad things happen there!

– Not necessarily!

– He says it is! One thing scared him badly… he avoids the outskirts now.

– What thing?

– Big thing…

– Lyuba, specifics!

– Andrei, why so interested?

– Lyuba, just tell!

– Okay, okay… don’t shout! If I recall… Told us three years ago, picking berries… saw a giant trailer hauling an iron barrel.

– What? Barrel?

– Thing like a barrel… Some engine? Dunno! Anyway, saw it, got scared! Avoids area since!

– Why’d that engine scare him?

– Probably looked scary.

– Lyuba, what he *say*? No guesses!

– He said… scary! Imagined it starting? For what?

– And?

– That’s it!

– Saw an engine, imagined, got scared?

– Yeah, scared. What? He’s old…

– Lyuba, he survived the war! Chest full of medals! Saw him on Victory Day. Hard to scare him!

– Dunno… said scared!

– Imagine what engine that was, to scare a war veteran…

Lights suddenly died… Fridge silenced…

– Started! – Andrei shuddered.

– What? – Lyuba gasped. – Fuse?

Andrei took Lyuba’s hands:

– My dear, I love you very much! Kids and you… love you deeply…

Before finishing, Andrei collapsed…

Muscles numb. Blood trickled from his nose…

At the Same Time

19:05, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Orlov sat at his desk writing…

He paused, lost in thought. Anxiety wouldn’t release him… Sighing, he resumed.

Then picked up the phone to call Moscow for his daily report. Dead silence… Orlov grew truly alarmed. Government line dead? Unprecedented! Dizziness hit. Hard to breathe…

Slightly calmer, he called the duty officer, ordering signalmen to fix intercity lines immediately.

Orlov paced his office. Heart ached terribly; sweat poured.

He slapped his cheeks hard. – *Snap out of it! Soviet officer! Come on… Need home. Just overworked! Plus these magnetic storms! Home! Urgently home, sleep!*

He froze. A wave of fear and panic…

With sudden horror, he realized – he couldn’t remember where he lived! Remembered nothing!

Heart clenched his chest… Lump in throat… Gasping, he barely managed:

– What’s wrong with me?

Suddenly, the office darkened…

Orlov looked out.

Streetlights off. Nearby houses dark.

Staggering, he approached his desk, grabbed the phone…

Drops of blood hit it…

He wiped his nose. Blood on hand.

– What?.. – he uttered before collapsing.

The Next Morning

08:00, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

The phone rang relentlessly…

Orlov sat at his desk, vacant stare fixed ahead…

Weakness, foggy head…

Slowly, trembling hand lifted the receiver:

– Orlov…

– Comrade Captain, permission to report. Duty Officer Vasilyev.

– Ah… Vasilyev! Again? Report. Drunk detained… driven home… What else?

– Aah… – Vasilyev clearly bewildered. He didn’t know what to say. His brain’s regulations malfunctioned… Used to Captain Orlov alert, by-the-book! Serious!

But this mumbling… Drunk? Vasilyev thought. Though Orlov never drank… Why talk like this? How know about the detained? Strange!

– Well… – said Orlov. – Understood… Silence, I manage alone! Report accepted! Goodbye. At ease!

He hung up.

– There! – he muttered. – How know all this? My head… my state… What’s wrong? Must see Klavdia Vasilyevna… she’ll help! Give pills…

He rubbed his face, slapped his cheeks. Gritted teeth, stood, staggered to medical unit.

Knocked… Entered without waiting.

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, may I? – he asked, closing the door.

– Yes, Petya, come in. – she replied tiredly.

Klavdia Vasilyevna stood by the window, smoking. Exhaling thick smoke into the draft.

– Petya, dear, glad to see you. Come! – she smiled.

Orlov smiled shyly, sat.

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, working late again tonight? – he asked.

– Yes. – she replied sadly. – No one waits home! I arrive at seven AM. Leave near midnight. Something wrong?

– No. Just asking. Not afraid walking alone so late? Night, winter… Anything could happen?

– No… – she laughed. – Who needs me? Old woman! City’s quiet. I live close…

Klavdia Vasilyevna, hesitated…

– I think… – she added uncertainly.

– You *think*? – Orlov pressed. – Don’t remember where you live?

Genuine fear filled her eyes. She strained to remember… Failed! She stubbed her cigarette, sat silently. Looked terrified at Orlov, tears welling:

– Petya… I don’t remember! I… don’t remember where I live!

Orlov watched her, heart aching! But he smiled:

– I don’t remember where *I* live either!

– What? – she wiped tears.

– I don’t remember! But I remember where *you* live! I’ll take you. Familiar walls will help you remember! Don’t worry!

– Really? – she smiled through tears.

– Yes. – Orlov approached, hugged her tightly.

– All be fine! Don’t cry.

They stood embracing; Klavdia sobbed on his shoulder. Orlov stroked her head with a trembling hand… Barely holding back his own tears.

Suddenly, the room darkened…

Orlov, as if snapping awake, said sharply:

– I remembered!

– What happened? – Klavdia panicked.

– I remembered! – he repeated loudly. – Stay here! Don’t leave! Be back soon!

– What’s happening?! Petya… Petya, where?

But Orlov didn’t hear…

He ran outside…

Crossed the road, stopped center square near Lenin’s statue. Looked around. Dark…

Looked left, right… City engulfed in darkness!

He remembered… this repeating day! Start to finish.

Suddenly, the earth trembled; a wave of bright green light knocked him down.

Orlov rose… crumpled in pain!

He screamed, hands clamping ears. A piercing sound tore at his eardrums, drilling into his brain!

A minute later, silence.

Orlov slowly straightened, caught his breath. Looked around…

Looked at his hands… covered in blood…

The Next Morning

08:00, December 3, 1983

Office of KGB Border Troops Captain Pyotr Orlov

Phone ringing.

Orlov mechanically answered:

– Listening!

– Comrade Captain, permission to report! Duty Officer Vasilyev.

– Report!

– Emergency in the city! Since early morning, many citizens seek medical help… Hospitals overwhelmed! Symptoms identical: Headache, arrhythmia, psychosis, hallucinations. Doctors don’t know this epidemic. Psychiatric hospital full too. People going mad! Many deaths. Suicides. City in panic!

Orlov silently processed this…

He fought to stay calm and detached. It was hard!

– Hello? Comrade Captain, hear me?

– Hear you, Vasilyev! That all? Anything else?

– No!

– Understood… told you yesterday… damn… forget! Now…

Today… Now, tell signalmen – urgently restore Moscow connection! Immediately! Need communication! Got it?

– Yes, Comrade Captain!

– Execute!

Orlov hung up.

– The sheet! – he said anxiously. – I wrote on a sheet yesterday…

Opened a document folder… the top sheet was blank!

– Hm… figures! Almost expected! Okay… rewrite.

He rewrote yesterday’s notes…

Added in large letters at the end: SITUATION WORSENING!

– Klavdia Vasilyevna! – Orlov remembered fearfully. – Promised to walk her home…

He stood abruptly, strode to medical unit.

Knocked… Opened the door, entered:

– Klavdia Vasilyevna, let me walk you… – he froze in shock. By the window, smoking, stood a middle-aged man.

– Who are you? – Orlov asked distrustfully.

– Petya, hi! You? Came to chat? – the man smiled.

– I repeat, who are you?

– Petya, not funny!

– I’m not laughing! Who are you? Where’s Klavdia Vasilyevna?

– Petya, what’s with you?

– Who’s “Petya”? Count to three – I draw my gun!

– Pyotr, what’s wrong? Confusing me?

– One!

– Petya, crazy? Stop!

– Quickly! Who are you? Where’s Klavdia Vasilyevna? Two!

– What Klavdia Vasilyevna? Drunk? – the man hid fearfully behind the desk.

– Three! – Orlov drew his gun, aiming.

– Talk! – he shouted.

– Talk what? – the man wept, trembling.

– Who are you?

– Vasily Karlovich!

– Who? – Orlov kept shouting.

– Petya, what’s wrong?

– Call me Petya again – I shoot! Who are you?

– Doctor… work here. My office. Petya, what’s wrong?

– Warned you! – Orlov snarled. He rushed the man, pressed the gun to his head.

The man cried harder, begged Orlov not to kill him…

– Calmly, who are you? Where’s Klavdia Vasilyevna?

– Please, calm down!

– Don’t calm me! Talk! – Orlov released the safety.

The man squeezed his eyes shut, slumped…

– Talk!

– Vasily Karlovich… – he stammered, sobbing. – Work here… We’re friends! You… Don’t remember?

– Lying, bastard! – Orlov pressed the gun so hard blood trickled from the man’s temple.

– Please… – he begged. – It hurts! Stop!

Orlov lowered the gun, asked calmly:

– Where… is Klavdia Vasilyevna?

Wiping temple blood, the man stammered:

– Truly, don’t know who that is? Worked here long. Understand? No idea who you mean! What’s wrong?

Enough! Stop! Why? Why treat me like this?

Orlov saw the man likely spoke truth…

At least, believed it himself!

– What’s happening? – he asked mentally. – Am I going mad? Or already mad? Where’s Klavdia Vasilyevna? What’s happening?

Composing himself, he smiled awkwardly:

– Sorry, friend… Vasily. It was a test… and you passed! Apologize. Part of the job!

– What? What test?

– Yes… Don’t sweat! Routine test… Call from HQ…

– What call? – the man tensed.

– Checking everyone’s loyalty to the Motherland!

– Seriously? – the man stood stiffly.