Satchel

It's night again, I'm sitting at home and watching "videos" on my laptop. Why sleep if you're just enjoying life and not going to change your schedule. What's going on that day? There's not enough time for anything physically... I got distracted by tracking your current order on the marketplace, that's all... "Blown Away" and will "At One’s Fingertips" at the screen for hours, first you'll be distracted by one notification, then another, third, fifth, tenth... Alright, look,I have only one life, on the other hand, there won't be another and yes, I don't sleep at night! Well, I’m never!!! I'll answer all those who judge me...

In the dark of the night, a crack appeared in the ceiling... Perhaps a crack again... The repairs should have been done a couple of decades ago... Having set the video to high volume, I went to wash the dishes from a week ago. Once a week washing dishes is fine... Kind of boring... And I'm "cutting me off" and I really want to sleep... I went back to the laptop and turned up the music...

A moment later, a dull sound passed through the old radiator, cracked with time.

“Charlie, do you want to see your ears in a soup bowl in a bloody sink? Turn it off and don't disturb my sleep!”

The sound was brought by a knocking, rusty pipe...

I'm completely out of food... I need to go to the 24-hour market around the corner to buy something edible... Now, I'll lie down for a minute, close my eyes... My brain will fall into place and I can once again meet life in all its splendor... Having thrown on my bomber jacket and taken my wallet, my old creaky door reluctantly opened. Drops of rain that had recently fallen were flowing from the ceiling. I hope it's rain, of course, the rusty pipes weren't pipes anymore, they were corpses...

I walked further and further along the old floor. In some areas there was light, and in others there wasn't. Near one of the apartments, a gray moth was beating around the light bulb. The door of apartment 464 opened and closed as if to the beat of a metronome. A bald male or female face with a smile hanging on by one tooth kept appearing from it.

“Seeing my silhouette, sedately moving towards him along the semi-dark corridor, he kept repeating:

“Hre-Hre-Hre! Charlie! It's coming! Hre-Hre-Hre! Charlie! It's coming!”

Continuing to open and close his door.

A fresh issue of The Daily Life Gazette lay on the floor near apartment 476 with a colorful headline:

“

“Politician, family guy, libertine!? Who are you!? Sen. Kingsley…”

”

I heard a woman moaning behind the door. The door opened a little, and I saw that she was all alone inside. Yes, I am talking about love now... About love for a alcohol... She tried to open a bottle of vodka with a knife and could not get vodka…Three sheets to the wind... Approaching someone like that and offering help is not the best decision, she may thank you for your help... However, I will not drink that much...

I went out onto a deserted and cold street, where the treetops swayed gloomily and a chill blew. Suddenly, from the darkness of the frozen street, the silhouette of a brown felt hat and coat appeared. A Cuban cigar was smoking in his teeth. I know this man: perhaps some of you know him too... Inspector Philipp Wishniewski.

“Good evening, Charlie! Can't sleep again?

The inspector asked me a question when I met him closer to the dark alley, under a large street lamp that hung over our heads with its dim yellow light...”

“Aw! Inspector! How are you doing!? Yes, I decided to buy myself some food at the market a couple of blocks away. The fridge is empty. So, you decided to personally check our block, inspector?”

“Hard times have come. The criminals are still intent on planting a bomb somewhere. We have to inspect and record everything suspicious personally. Now there is a problem with personnel, everyone is trying to become part of the business, and not go to serve in the service of law and order. If you see something suspicious: abandoned bags/satchels/packages, etc. open cars in the block, immediately report to the police after making sure that these things do not belong to the people who were near them.”

Inspector Wishniewski warned, continuing to smoke a cigar with a vanilla scent.

“Okay, Inspector! I'll notice everything!”

I put an earphone in one ear and suggested my move. The movie theater illuminated me with its white marquee on the roof. A ticket collector in a black vest with a bow tie and a white, though not gray from time, shirt stood by a steel trash can, finishing his soda water with a woman's name on a tin can.

“Hank! You drank all the soda water again! You could have left me at least a sip!”

A homeless man sitting by this can asked for it

“Sorry, dude! I saw a sexy lady drinking this soda water! I really liked her, I want to feel her saliva on my lips... Here, you can take some popcorn, her boyfriend didn't finish it...”

Having passed the marquee of the movie theater, I again dreamed of the darkness of the streets, continuing my way to the 24-hour market.

On a tree that spread its branches in the middle of the asphalt pavement sat a black crow. All this time near the tree she looked at me with her brown gaze, the eyes of the crow are somewhat similar to dark chestnut... I was standing under a tree, and she was sitting on a branch and looking at me.

“Hey, pal! Would you pls give me a cigarette I could smoke?”

Unexpectedly flying around my head, the crow asked.

“Sorry, my girlfriend didn't like the smell of cigarette, had to quit smoking...”

I answered in confusion.

“That’s right, man!”

Unfortunately, lung cancer is incurable.

“Where are you going, dude?

The crow continued, flying after me.”

Yes, to the market to munch on something. I’m some Hungry...

I answered the crow.

“You're probably hungry too?”

I continued the evening conversation.

“In the evening, the mafia had a shooting at Bistro Giuseppe and they killed one guy. The boss simply hung him on a butcher's hook in the backyard along with vegetables and other stale food. So, I'm full. However, I also need to go to the market, it was non-smoking, so I didn't find any smoking cigarette butts in the trash.”

My new acquaintance answered, flying behind me.

“Admit it, you wanted to spend the night with an interesting company...”

The crow asked me

“Yes, absolutely!”

I answered

The road among rare and lonely trees, somewhere among projects and abandoned minivans on the street that guys in hoodies and durags on their heads are trying to steal, trying to lower the window with a baseball bat, somewhere on the contrary, police sirens are sounding.

Having reached the market, which illuminated the street with its display case, I approached it and opened the glass door. It is all wrapped in duct tape so that it does not fall apart completely.

In the market, among the alcohol and cheap food, there was a guy with a scarf over his entire nose, pointing the barrel of his shotgun right at the seller in a blue apron and a cap with a shirt sticking out. He was hastily collecting money for this guy. I took a grocery basket at the entrance, going shopping.

Quickly, so as not to disturb the guys and certainly not to become a participant in the events, I took some ham, a salad, a pack of krispies from the Genial Villes company, and a couple of cans of Sizer energy drink.

“Hurry! Let’s get out of here! ASAP!”

Running in, the second bustling robber shouted.

“Chevy, my boy! How much longer can you go on like this! You rob me every week! Why are you demonstratively aiming this gun at me if I'm going to give you these $30 for the whole night any fucking way? And why keep me at gunpoint, you won't shoot anyway!”

“You're fucking right, I'll let it down... You'll give him the money anyway... Well, I'm just saying that, I don't even know why... You should be afraid! I've seen it in movies...”

“Trust me! It's much cheaper to pay robbers now than to insurance and security companies. You take $30 and come in person very quickly, and you have to pay them through the App! Three times cheaper!”

“Well can I buy it?”

I asked those present

“Give the cash to the robbers”

The seller answered, closing the cash register.

Having left the market with a large craft bag, I continued along the pavement towards my home. The robbers ran into the back of a red pickup truck and shouted at the driver!

“Drive! Drive!”

Black Mask immediately threw the unfinished cigarette on the parking space, when the crow picked up the butt in flight and immediately started smoking…

“I'm bringing you, Charlie. Maybe we can take a walk another way, dude!? It's so interesting, isn't it!?

With a cigarette in beak, my night companion continued.

“Come on, Charles! BTW, I don't feel like sleeping at all anymore…”

There are no lights on in the windows of any of the houses, probably everyone is sleeping on this street. Among the dim lanterns and rarely passing yellow cabs, we passed a neo-Gothic building with a couple of rare thresholds at the entrance.

“

Oakleaves Mental Center

”

Under a tree by a small alley too close the entrance area an inconspicuous black satchel. Dark alleys, me, this building and a crow circling above me, smoking its cigarette.

“

………. If you see anything suspicious: abandoned bags/satchels/packages, etc., open cars in the area, immediately report to the police, making sure that these things do not belong to the people who were near them.

Inspector Wishniewski warned, continuing to smoke a cigar with a vanilla scent.

“Okay, Inspector! I will notice everything! ……….”

”

“Okay! Let's give it to her! Most likely, one of the guests of this place forgot it”

“WARNING DANGER!!! WARNING DANGER!!!

The black bird screamed, already soaring higher into the sky...

“Fuck No! I'll go and pass this satchel there, or ask if it's theirs or not. If not, I'll put it back or hand it over to the cops... “

I firmly decided

“TRESPASSING!!! TRESPASSING!!!”

A crow sitting on the roof frame told me

Having gathered my courage and having opened the Gothic door, I found myself inside.

A huge hall and old tiles on the walls. I don’t see anyone here. Where are the patients? Where are the doctors? Who should I give this bag to or ask whose it is…?

After passing the hall, I found myself in a narrow corridor. They look like a labyrinth. The walls and many doors, apparently into the wards, seem to eat you up. Suddenly, moving forward, somewhere behind me a door opened the door of one of the wards. Looks like a young brunette lady with long hair in a white nightdress beckoned with a wave of her hand. Curls and massive bangs completely cover her face. I can't make it out....

“Baby! I've been dreaming about you! I've been waiting for you for so long, lie down on the bed!”

The lady told me when I approached the door.

The offer interested me very much, and I went to her small single room, after which I lay down on a hard hospital bed. The lady immediately sat down on the floor. Her knees touched the obviously cold tiled floor, after which she lowered her head to the area of the bed... She began to lift her hair with her palm. She is clearly not my type, then she looked into my eyes and smiled. There are practically no teeth in her mouth. A couple of rare roots! White nits are jumping along her black, thick hair. This is not dandruff, but nits. It was not a pleasant sight... She reached out to me, but I threw her on the floor and, grabbing my bag, ran out of the room... I ran and ran, the lady rushed after me, from her mouth came: Come here! Merry Me!!! Baby, I’m so hot!!!

“You're crazy, lady! Give me a break!!!”

I screamed as I ran through the hospital.

“Son of a bitch! You took advantage of the fact that I don't understand everything, and now you're running away from me!

She tore a fire axe off the wall and rushed after me. Now I'll chop everything off of you...

I ran into some doctor's office, locking the door with the crossbar of the first chair I saw. A stretcher and a skeleton in the corner. I have no any weapons here... I saw a night security guard on one of the emergency couches. There's a kitchen knife stuck in the back of his head. Well, that's not fucking funny anymore... I think I'll call Inspector Wishniewski and tell him about this criminal incident. Or should I not!? I came in here after all... Then to this madness lady, so as not to become a suspect myself... Not yet... Let's see what next...

“So, why!? Why did you chat to me if you didn't want loverelationships! See! I killed him! I killed him for you, asshole!”

This crazy woman screamed at me.

The guard didn't have a gun, apparently, he didn't take it with him. I should check the satchel! What's inside... Perhaps there is something there that will help me in my difficult situation. Reluctantly pulling the zipper, I saw a very exceptional product. A very expensive and high-quality sniper rifle with a zoom and a silencer. There is a set of gloves inside.

“Aw! Really!? I don't know you, crazy. That’s why! “

I answered through the door.

Through the glass part of the door, I saw a silhouette in a black fabric mask and black patent leather gloves walking down the corridor. He was holding a GLOCK 22 in his hands, onto which he was screwing a silencer. He was slowly approaching the madness lady in white.

“My love, what are you doing here!?”

The top guy asked.

She immediately threw herself into his arms, saying: “Darling, I didn't understand everything at first... I took your satcheloutside, thinking that you would need it there, and returned to my room. You wear a mask all the time, and I can't recognize you because of our game. I thought that you were him because he was with your satchel. But it wasn't you... I'm so happy, my love! But now he has your satchel, you see him there!”

Pointing at me.

“WTF!!! What are you done!? I just went to look around not far from the bridge over the river

Answered someone in a black mask

“You never know how fate will turn out! Isn't that right!?”

Smiling, I spoke through the door.

“Yes! Here is your satchel. But I will not give it to you, I will call the police right now!”

My personal Late-Night Show…” Taking out my phone, I began to use it, showing my opponent that I was extremely determined! However, I realized that for some reason, instead of the divisions showing the telephone network signal, I saw the inscription no signal...”

“Ha-ha-ha! Why don't you call cops!? Is dispatch not picking it up or what!?”

Continued the top guy, loading the gun.

“Well, you should not expect death by a fire axe, but you will get death by a bullet! This is still better, so in a sense, congratulations, jackass!”

He said, starting to shoot at the glass of the door... He hadn't even fired a couple of shots before one of the bullets hit him right in the arm.

“AAH! Damn...”

He screamed, throwing the gun on the ground and walking away somewhere.

“Congratulations, jackass!”

I spoke.

“So, is it your friend or something!?”

I asked the person in white.

“This is not just a friend!!! This is my boyfriend!!! We met on the Internet, and last night, for his sake alone, I stabbed the night guard and the hospital doctor with a knife from the kitchen, having deceived the orderly during the day and got the keys to my ward! After tonight, I will never come back! He will take me from here, and we will go on a travel in a luxury car!”

The madness lady in white nightdress, sitting with a red axe by the door, answered.

“Aren't you afraid that he will just kill you and that's it?”

I asked the person behind the door

“Shut up! Idiot! Shut your mouth! The lady screamed, hitting the iron door several times.”

Oh! Here she comes back... He clearly tied his arm with some kind of tourniquet, but it was clear that it wouldn't last long. He won't sit like this in this corridor for long... Let's see where this cheerful dialogue will lead us next...

“The police are already on their way! I managed to call them!”

I said to the newly arrived shooter.

“Don't rush! There are very strong walls there, reinforced with iron”

The signal isn't getting through!

“Fuck you both! You'll see it all for yourself soon!”

I answered this couple!

I settled down on the second couch, took out the dry breakfast and energy drink I had, and started eating.

-Okay! Let's make a deal!

Going closer to the door again, the shooter continued.

I throw the gun to the end of the hall where we are not... You open the door and give me my satchel with the sniper rifle! In the end, each of us gets to keep our own

-No deal! I examined the satchel without gloves, my fingerprints were all over it. I can't hand over the rifle with them.

I answered

“No problem! Just then wipe !”

The top guy continued

“I don't really know where exactly they are located!”

I answered.

I was already starting to feel sleepy when I saw the lady with the axe fall asleep, and the shooter went somewhere

“It's good time to escape, I decided, and carefully opened the door and went out into the corridor, carefully passing through it. The shooter should be somewhere nearby. I need to carefully go around him. Finding myself in the doorway of the hospital exit, the top guy nevertheless noticed me and started shooting. His shooting from such a distance is not the most accurate, and I just ran into the distance along the pavement...”

The top guy ran after me, sometimes shooting. Getting adrenaline even without an energy drink... I hid behind one of the garbage containers when he did not notice where I ran and holding his wounded hand, he looked for me with a sly look, looking around everything.

Unexpectedly, I lose him... Where are you, jackass!? As if he disappeared... The flow of my thoughts was interrupted by something iron brought to my head from the right.

“Hello!”

I heard in my right ear.

“ The game is over, jackass! It's almost done! I still have time to kill my target.”

“Freeze, dickhead!”

I heard a known voice addressing the top guy... It was Inspector Wishniewski... The shooter lowered his weapon and surrendered to the authorities...

“So, What’s wrong, Charlie!?”

The inspector asked me a question and become smoking another cigar…

Having told him everything, I finally went home and, falling onto my favorite bed, went to bed... The next evening, from the latest issue of The Daily Life Gazette on my laptop, I found out that this was an assassination attempt on Sen. Kingsley. The apartment across the river belonged to the senator's mistress. He often spent time there with her... And it was also an ideal point for a shot from a sniper rifle if the sniper was positioned correctly... And his murder was ordered. The shooter brought a sniper rifle to the hospital in collusion with a madness lady he met on a dating site. At his request, she killed the night guard, leaving the rest of the boards with sleeping, drugged patients closed, which gave him full access to the building….

“Good work,dude!”

The crow that sat on a branch near my wide-open window told me.

I smiled, looked at the city that never sleeps and went to bed…

( To be continued….)