Katya jumped up abruptly and shook her entire body.
The old sofa creaked piteously, protesting the abrupt shift.
The girl threw an apprehensive glance at it, wishing it wouldn’t come apart totally.
She then peered around the walls.
Winter was fast approaching, and she had no idea what to do next.
Her stepfather insisted that she leave her ancestral village.
According to him, Katya became a “stain” on the family’s reputation because she lost her capacity to communicate after her mother di:ed. He stated, “Now I don’t have to explain to everyone that you weren’t born mute?” I still have three children to marry off. So what?
What a horrible family!”
Katya herself had long wanted to leave. It had become unbearable at home.
But in the city, a new misfortune awaited her: along with her documents and money, all chances to start a new life had disappeared.
She went to the police station to explain, to ask for help. But only wheezing came out of her throat.
She was taken for a drunk. They kicked her out without warning.
The first month was a real struggle for survival. Katya didn’t know how to ask.
Shame kept her back straight even when her legs were already giving way.
There was a time when she simply sank down by someone else’s fence, pressing her forehead to the ground, and decided: enough .
It’s better to die here than to humiliate herself every day.
That’s where Malvina found her.
This woman was a legend of the area.
A real queen of the local street. The homeless obeyed her without question, and those who dared to object, she knocked out without ceremony – her size allowed it. She looked at Katya for a long time in silence, then came closer.
– Hey, what are you sitting around for?
This is my territory!
Katya was silent, staring at the ground.
– What, are you mute?
The girl looked up and nodded.
– That’s it. Then why are you lying there? Do you think you’ll die beautifully?
Katya nodded again.
– Silly girl.
Get up. Come with me.
She obediently stood up and followed the woman. She led her to an old basement.
There were only beds and a few of nightstands inside, but it was cozier than imagined. Malvina had planned a special treat. Katya exclaimed, “My God, how the homeless live…they have it almost normal here!”
The woman poured her some hot tea and gave her a notebook and a pencil.
– Eat.
Write everything you know. Because you are on my turf, I need to know everything about you. Right down to the last detail.
Katya nodded.
She remained overnight. She fell asleep almost quickly, exhausted and hungry. Malvina instructed her to relax, and in the morning she took her to a little house.
– Get established here.
You will not survive on the streets. You’ll aid here by showing and caring for the graves. They’ll pay you a small wage, but you’ll make ends meet.
Anyway, there is always work to be done in the cemetery. If anyone wants to become involved, you know where to find me. Come on, we’ll sort things out.
Well, goodbye.
Malvina turned around and fled, not even looking back.
Katya had acquired this little house two months ago. It had belonged to a caretaker before the role was eliminated. Now it was her own little corner, albeit a half-ruined one.
Local old ladies informed me that people used to live there, and Katya was now next in line.
She filled the bucket with water and drank a few drinks. The nightmares had long stopped coming. But today, they returned.
Five years ago, it all began in the city.
Katya came to college with her village friend Svetka. After the first exam, they slept overnight in the dorm to avoid being late for the second one.
In the evening Sveta suggested going for a walk:
– Katyusha, let’s go, okay? Let’s just walk, see the city.
Why are you acting like a stranger?
– Afraid…
– What’s there to be afraid of? Let’s just sit and look at the lights.
But that evening she almost lost more than her voice.
On the embankment, a trio of inebriated men caught up with them. Svetka was the first to get terrified, running away so quickly that she didn’t even look back.
Katya was encircled. She tried to move away, but she was surrounded on all sides. Her jacket was ripped off, but she was unable to scream.
Not a single sound. Only silence and sadness.
Then he appeared. A guy.
Young and confident. He flew into this group like a hurricane and started fighting back. Katya waited there, terrified, until he returned her garments.
“Put it on,” he replied simply.
— From textile?
Katya nodded.
– Let’s go, I’ll take you there.
They had almost reached the dorm when she began to shake.
First a slight tremor, then stronger, stronger… Tears began to flow down her cheeks. Her body shook as if in a fever. The man sighed heavily.
“Well, that’s it,” Katya thought to herself.
“And I was waiting for the hysteria to start.”
But the tears had long since dried up. After twenty minutes of uncontrollable crying, it was as if something inside had let go, as if all the accumulated fear had come out.
The man looked at her carefully and asked:
– What is your name?
Katya opened her mouth… but instead of words, only an inarticulate moan escaped from her throat. She looked at him in horror, tried to say at least something – again, nothing.
Only a wheeze. Another wall between her and the world.
“I see…” he said thoughtfully. “Okay, go ahead.
Go and rest. I think it will pass by morning. If not, go straight to the doctor.
Got it?”
Katya nodded. He smiled, trying to calm her down:
– Everything will be fine. Don
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