ISBN 978-5-0053-0129-1

      Created with Ridero smart publishing system

      In still water

      Karimbaeva Raisa

      Chapter 1

      The tormented unfortunate woman was chained and hung from a damp, moldy wall in a dark, closed stirring. Being in a semi-faint state all this time, she began to come to her senses. Her whole body ached, bleeding. Cuts and abrasions made themselves felt. In her eyes there was complete horror from what was happening. She wanted to scream so hard to break this oppressive, gloomy silence, to scream to wake up, to escape from the clutches of the sticky nightmare, because everything that happened to her seemed like a wild dream, a fiction, unlike the truth. She screamed as loudly as she could, but her scream got stuck somewhere deep in her throat, and only a soft, stifled wheeze came out through the dirty, disgusting-smelling rag that was bandaged around her mouth. She jerked, trying to free herself from the chains, but the chains were strong, and the shackles severely chafed her delicate, snow-white arms and legs, not spoiled by backbreaking work. Thin as a reed, in a dress torn to shreds, she was like a feather grass, swaying in the direction of a strong, stormy wind, dangerous for her, capable of tearing her out of the ground by the roots and carrying her away.

      Suddenly footsteps were heard behind the wall. She again tried to scream, calling for help, swaying even more and beating against the wall to which she was attached, but when the heavy iron door boiled open with a screeching sound and through the bright, painful light she saw her tormentor, she shrank with fear, trying to run away into the darkness, into the very depths and hide.

      Entering, he fumbled for the switch and a dim little honey lit up a small basement-type room in which here and there hefty, impudent, unafraid white rats were running around. Taking a bloody ax that was lying in the corner, he went up to her before she could scream with one blow and cut off her head. The head rolled like a soccer ball, and red hot blood poured from the open wound like a fountain. Sucking on it, he began to greedily drink it, as they drink life-giving water during thirst in the desert. His face instantly lost its human essence, began to look more and more like the face of an animal, covered with thick, black hair, and from the grown wolf’s mouth, … fangs appeared. Grabbing the body with them, he tore it to shreds, greedily eating it and making disgusting sounds like a champ. Having satisfied his insatiable hunger, he felt his heart suddenly pinch, and wiping away a tear… threw the rest of the meat… to the rats. Sensing food, they ran from all corners to the center of the room and gathered a whole horde of greedy rats, which surrounded him, running around in blood-splattered clothes. he lovingly took them off, kissed, admired, calling them by female names. Each rat had its own name. And if for others, they seemed the same, then for him they were completely different personalities and shook their character. Here, the rat, the one that hid in the dark and stuck out only its nose, very shy and timid, nicknamed Masha, and that graceful one in dazzling white and with black big buttons-eyes – Magdalena. She is very fond of music. And he always plays his violin for her, but not now. Now is dinner time. And you can’t be late for it under any pretext.

      Having played enough with all his horde of rats, he took off his bloody clothes and, putting on a clean, expensive three-piece frock coat, left the room, not forgetting to turn off the light.

      Chapter 2

      A graceful, beautiful lady of a splendid socialite drove up in her equally magnificent Ferrari in southern night color to a dazzling, bright, tall skyscraper that housed the most expensive restaurant in the world, which was now hosting a stunning social event on the occasion of the opening of the season. Yes, in this southern city by the blue warm sea, on the velvet, gentle coast, the season opens. Only her legs in expensive stilettos barely touched the red carpet, when two men in red coats ran up to the car and, bowing, gave her a hand, helping her out of the car.

      An exquisite dress, black as night, swayed in the warm wind, emitting the quiet rustle of the surf. Her head was adorned with an exquisite little peacock feather hat with precious stones. And the same ring: massive and with an expensive stone flaunted on her thin finger.

      Magic, enchanting music flowed like the sea, beckoning to itself. A no less graceful violinist met his mistress right at the entrance, playing especially for her alone.

      Her heart was beating faster and with each beat, she understood that it was love.

      – Oh, you are beautiful, my Georges! Your music captivated me! It is excellent! she said smiling, holding out her thin, graceful hand to him.

      – There is no one and nothing more beautiful than you, madam. – He answered, touching his lips to her handle. And she felt heat all over her body.

      Upon entering the hall, she was even more surprised, since there was no one inside. Seeing her, the orchestra began to play Strauss, whom she loved very much. And in the very middle of the hall there was a richly set table for the two of them. The light went out, and immediately the romantic candles were lit, which gave the music even more magic.

      – Oh, my dear! It’s so beautiful! – she exclaimed. – Have you booked a table just for the two of us?

      – Yes, my dear. Today the restaurant is open only for the two of us. Tonight is a special evening, «he replied, pulling her to him.

      – And which one? she asked, dodging the kiss.

      – I want to confess my love. Marry me! – He knelt down in front of her and bowed his head as in front of his queen.

      «But you know. – she sighed, – it’s impossible… I’m married and I can’t answer you… But don’t cry … – she hugged him and touched her lips to his face, – I will love you as before…

      He pushed her away, jumped up from his knees and walked briskly to the exit.

      – Wait! Stop! she shouted to him. «You know how much I love you, my dear cat. – she fumbled to him. – Well, don’t be angry… Wait a little … – She looked at the ceiling. – He is already very old, this husband of mine, and sick. Soon… very soon we’ll be together. Wait a little, huh? – she begged him, looking at him with her wide-open eyelashes and, noticing a hitch on his face, immediately covered him with her hot lips, leading him to that distant, unknown paradise.

      Chapter 3

      The mansion of old Belich, this oil tycoon, was dark and empty. It seemed that there was no one in the house, only the wind was walking between the rooms, opening and closing shutters and slamming them, making noise. But that was not the case. There, in the farthest room, full of expensive collectible paintings of the Renaissance, on a wide bed lay the same old one. like the mansion itself, old man. HE tossed and turned from side to side and could not fall asleep. A thousand thoughts swirled in his head. He sat up. There was a bottle of lemon cocktail on the table near the bed, and after drinking a little, he wanted to get up and leave the room, but felt severe dizziness and lost consciousness.

      The next morning, he found himself in a ward with a bunch of sensors, which are thin transparent tubes, as if bloodsuckers had grown to his body. Tearing them off, he wanted to free himself, but then his sweet and charming wife, his Magdalena, calmed him down, explaining that he had lost consciousness and that he was now in the hospital and that he should not be very worried.

      – Magdalena. You … – began, it was, he, but she interrupted him, not allowing him to utter a word.

      – Hush, hush… I’m near, I’m here.

      – You… You… poisoned me – it seemed to him that he was screaming, but his voice was not heard and only his eyes were burning with such a fire of anger that Magdalena involuntarily turned away and took a pillow… put it next to it, like a small toy. Then she got up and left the room.

      A minute later, a wild, bursting ringing broke out across the entire squad, announcing a catastrophe