Road into the unknown
At the dawn, while the city was still stirring awake, Nika arrived at the café, designated as their meeting place. Punctuality had always been her strong suit, and today she arrived fifteen minutes earlier than the appointed time. Stepping into the cozy café, she scanned the area for Alla, but instead of her, her gaze fell upon Ryu, who waved at her and gestured for her to join him.
"Ryu? What a surprise! Where's Alla? What are you doing here?" Nika asked, approaching the table.
"She was urgently called for something in St. Petersburg, so she'll join us later," Ryu explained. "Let's grab a bite for the road first."
"The road?" Nika furrowed her brows. "We're going on a road trip?"
"We'll be traveling in my car; it's going to be a long journey. We'll make a stop in Voronezh," Ryu replied.
"I haven't exactly agreed to go to Krasnodar all of a sudden," Nika objected.
"I thought you indicated yesterday that you wanted to go," Ryu remarked.
"What do you mean, 'indicated'? Yesterday, I only saw Alla, Andrew, and Katerina. And I'm actually upset with them for leaving me there all alone," Nika retorted.
"What did you do after reading the note on the table?" Ryu inquired.
At that moment, Nika paused. She realized she couldn't recall how she got home or left the "Oko" building.
"You definitely spiked my drink or hypnotized me then! Yes! Hypnotized me and made me drink water with a sedative, and then did something to me!" Nika exclaimed, accusing Ryu.
Ryu burst into laughter. "It's not within our competence to do anything to defenseless people without their consent," he said with a smile.
"But I feel like you did something sinister to me!" Nika insisted.
"Nonsense. You're a strong woman; you'll figure it out on your own," Ryu reassured her.
Nika was offended by the term "woman," but she kept silent, though she wanted to vent her anger.
"We're serious people, occupied with a task," Ryu assured her.
"What task?" Nika asked.
"Alla told you everything yesterday," Ryu replied.
"She didn't tell me much!" Nika protested.
"She said you were pointed in our direction. And now it's our duty to mentor you," Ryu explained.
"Mentor me? No way. I'm too old for someone to mentor me!" Nika objected.
"But whether you agree or not, it doesn't matter to us now. My duty is to escort you to Alla's mansion. Whether you like it or not," Ryu stated.
"And if I refuse to go, will you take me by force?" Nika asked.
"I wouldn't want to resort to that, but if it comes to that, then yes," Ryu replied.
Nika sat silently, looking at Ryu, unsure of how to react to all of this.
Suddenly, a waiter approached and placed aromatic sandwiches and coffee on the table.
"Let's start with breakfast, and you'll calm down," Ryu suggested.
Nika's stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn't even had breakfast, so she quickly dug into the food. The sandwiches were delicious, and the coffee was pleasant and invigorating. After eating, Nika felt better.
"Well, I hope you're not some cult of maniacs, and I agree to take this risk," Nika said.
"That's great. Let's go to the car then," Ryu said.
They left the café and got into Ryu's car, a comfortable Toyota, which drove them into the unknown. Along the way, Nika still tried to remember the previous evening. She felt like she had sat in this car before.
"Maybe you drove me home yesterday?" Nika decided to ask.
"What do you think?" Ryu replied.
"I don't remember, so I'm asking. What did I do yesterday?" Nika insisted.
"You talked to all of us, and then you fell asleep so deeply that we couldn't wake you up, so we took you home," Ryu explained.
"You were at my place?" Nika asked, surprised, staring at Ryu.
"Don't imagine things," Ryu said. "You'll remember everything in time; don't overload your brain. We'll need a lot of energy. The journey is long."
Nika fell silent, gazing out the window as rain began to patter against the glass.
"Do you believe in fate, Ryu?" Nika suddenly asked, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"That's a notion concocted by ordinary folks who are fond of signs," Ryu replied.
"You don't believe?" Nika turned to look at Ryu intently.
Ryu smiled silently, his eyes focused on the road ahead. At that moment, Nika found Ryu's profile incredibly attractive. She thought about how comfortable she felt with him.
"But Alla mentioned something about threads connecting destinies," Nika persisted.
"Everyone has their own notions. People invent their destinies themselves. You can't rely on the heavens. You choose your own fate. If I decide that I want something to be my destiny, then so it shall be," Ryu explained.
Nika pondered his words. Outside, fog began to thicken, creating a mystical atmosphere.
"I need to stop," Nika suddenly said.
"In this downpour?" Ryu exclaimed in surprise.
Nika looked at him plaintively and nodded. She urgently needed the restroom. She quickly ran into the bushes. Nearby, there was a dense forest.
Unknown rustlings sounded around her. After quickly finishing her business, Nika looked up and saw ghostly figures dancing in the fog around her. Nika screamed. Her heart pounded furiously as she ran back to the car.
"There's someone out there! We need to leave quickly!" Nika babbled, jumping into the car.
"Calm down, what happened?" Ryu asked, calmly smiling.
"Start the car, I'm telling you! We need to leave faster! They're going to catch us!" Nika insisted.
"Who are they?" Ryu asked just as calmly.
"I don't know! Dark silhouettes! There were so many of them!" Nika replied angrily.
Ryu chuckled. "What's so funny? I'm telling the truth! They were there, and who knows what they were planning!" Nika retorted, annoyed.
"Then let's go, you can show me them. I doubt they mean us harm," Ryu said, smiling, unfastening his seatbelt.
They got out of the car. The rain was already stopping, and the fog was dispersing. Nika led Ryu to the spot where she had seen the dancing figures, but they were nowhere to be found. There were only three crows pecking at something in the grass.
"Perhaps you did see them," Ryu said. "Crows are a good omen."
"But no, I could distinguish small birds from tall beings!" Nika protested.
"In fear, many things can seem different," Ryu said calmly.
They returned to the car and continued their journey.
Throughout the remaining journey, Nika remained silent. She couldn't understand how she could confuse birds with dancing figures. Soon they arrived in Voronezh and stopped near a hotel.
"Wait in the car while I book a room," Ryu said.
He was gone for about ten minutes, then returned.
"Let's go."
They entered a rather gloomy hotel and went up to the second floor.
"They only had one room available," Ryu said.
"One?" Nika was surprised.
"Don't you want to share a room with me?" Ryu smiled.
"I don't mind, as long as there are two beds?" Nika replied.
"And if there's only one?"
"Then I'll sleep in the car!" Nika objected.
Ryu opened the door, and they entered the room. There was one sofa and one bed.
"You take a shower first, and I'll order us some food," Ryu suggested.
Nika quickly showered, and then they started eating, sitting on the sofa.
"Do you like me?" Ryu suddenly asked, leaning closer to Nika's face.
Nika blushed.
"You have a good imagination," Ryu chuckled. "I'll sleep on the sofa. But first, let's remember our goal."
"Our goal?" Nika asked.
"Yes, you need practice," Ryu explained.
"What kind of practice?"
"Practice in lucid dreaming. Come on," Ryu took Nika's hand and led her to the bed. "Lie down."
"What? What are you up to?" Nika was surprised.
"Stop fantasizing. Let's try some techniques. Do as I say."
Nika lay down on the bed, and Ryu lay down beside her.
"Lie on your back and close your eyes."
Nika closed her eyes. Through the darkness, she saw floating images.
"Focus on them," Ryu's voice sounded as if he had read her mind.
"Repeat to yourself several times that you will have a lucid dream, give yourself the suggestion," Ryu continued. "And start lifting your limbs, not really, but imagine your legs lifting up, then your arms."
And suddenly, Nika began to drift off to sleep.
