Chapter nine.
The dove was sitting alone on a bench in a dark park. The whole town was wrapped in moonless night. It was so quiet here that you could hear the smallest rustles in the distance. The lamps were dimly lit, trying to illuminate the whole park, but the light was very low. The girl was talking her feet off, looking at a dark sky with no moon or stars.
A white pigeon flew up to the Pigeon, sitting next to it. The bird sang quite a song, joyfully spreading its wings. The girl wanted to stroke him, but suddenly she remembered that it was impossible. Instead, she smiled, whispering:
- You know, I have one very important question for you. The dog told me to try to ask you. But I'm not sure you'll answer me...
The Snow White Pigeon has been thinking for a while. Finally, he decided to spread his wings, turning into dust. The ashes immediately dispelled the wind, and there was nothing left of the bird. She completely disappeared. But instead of a pigeon, a translucent boy sat on the bench.
- I'll try,- he smiled, gently looking at the Pigeon.
- We received a new letter this afternoon,- a blond girl pushed out with more air into her lungs. - And it said there was a traitor among us. That's not true, is it? Please tell me that's not true!
The boy sighed sadly, closing his eyes. Now he wanted to hurt Golubka the least. But he could not lie either. Slowly getting off the bench, the ghost finally uttered it:
- He was a traitor. At least, it thinks so. But I don't think so...
The dove groaned quietly. Does anyone want to hurt their friends? And this scoundrel is right there with her!
- Then, - Pigeon tried to say it as hard as she could, but only a timid whisper came out, - then just say his name. Please! - The begging pigeons folded their hands. - It's for me and the Hernagesen gang as a whole!
The boy's ghost was stuporous. Now it seemed as if he was torn in two parts, not knowing what to say. After all, if he keeps silent, he will hurt Pigeon, and if he tells the truth, he will hurt not only himself but also his best friend, who taught him not only to learn to be happy but also to live.
- I'm sorry, but I can't say,- he breathed out. - Not because I'm forbidden, but also because this "traitor" isn't so much... For me, it's a man who just has no other choice. I'm sorry.
The girl was all sorry, feeling scared. Hope had left her completely, leaving her in her place with nothing but great horror.
- But you know,- the ghost added, - I know who the traitor is, so I'll do whatever it takes to keep it from touching you. Please just trust me and you'll be safe!
The dove nodded uncertainly, looking at the boy. He sincerely smiled back, dissolving in the air. A little stream of magic moved into the soul vault on the girl's neck. Suddenly, a stream of tears came out of the eyes of Pigeons.
- Why? - she snapped, covering her crying face with her hands. - Why, Pigeon, do you act as if I didn't do anything to you?
Sonya rode down the school corridor to the library. Finally, classes were over! There were only two days left to study, and then the boundless freedom for three months! And after these three months the school again for nine months ... Tomorrow at school, in a year at school, in a century at school in another life ... Oh, why all life is filled only with school?
Having turned around the corner, Sonya thought so much about school that she did not notice that a classmate flew right at her. When I bumped into her, they both fell to the floor.
- Look where you're going! - I heard my friend's grumbling voice.
- I'm sorry, Alice,- Sonia exclaimed joyfully. - And I was just on my way to the library! Come with me together?
- She gave up on me,- Alice tried. - Extra-curricular reading hasn't been given out yet, and I don't want to read at all.
Sonya jumped on her feet, shaking off a thin layer of dust from her school uniform. Apparently, the cleaners don't care about their work and don't even notice the dirt left by the students! Student helped Alice get up, and then continued her joyful exclamations:
- Well, how about that? You told me the day before yesterday that it's important for you to study something that doesn't exist! At first, I thought it was absurd, but I decided to read books about magic. It's really interesting!
- Did you really decide to take my words seriously? - rolled Alice's eyes.
Instead of answering, Sonya took off her back a rainbow case, pulling out a completely black book. It was printed in huge white letters: "The Story of Magic". The girl opened the book on chapter 12, pointing her finger proudly at the text:
- Behold! Read it! By the way, it was written by Sergei Vladimirovich Kulikov! If you suddenly become interested...
Alice quickly looked at the text, assessing whether she'd be interested in this nonsense.
- I'm sorry,- she said sluggishly, -I'm not in the mood at all.
Sonia lowered her eyes sadly. She hoped until the last moment that now her friend would read and appreciate it, but in vain.
- Please,- she whispered with pleading in her eyes, -the head is very small!
Alice sighed, taking the primitive book from Sonia's hands. Having estimated the approximate size of the chapter, the girl quickly ran her eyes through the text. All this time Sonya stood next to her classmate, watching her face closely, which did not cause any emotions at all.