07-18-2025, 02:15 AM
Nazariy took the specimen pouch until his fingers brushed the plastic like he was caressing a beloved pet. He didn’t open it. He only cradled it for a moment, eyes fixed on the scientist. Then he spoke, quiet and accusatory:
“You zippered him.”
He turned the pouch once, twice in his hands, then tucked it into the folds of his coat. His voice softened slightly as he explained, “Pushka will forgive you. He’s the forgiving one.”
Nazariy tilted his head, listening in the distance.
“I know what you’re looking for. The black that hums.” He stepped closer. “I’ve seen where they collect. Where the land feeds them.”
Then, abruptly, he turned and began walking not quickly, not slowly. Just away. Into the skeleton remains of the tower blocks. He called back over his shoulder.
“I won’t show you now. The time isn’t right. Come with me.”
“You zippered him.”
He turned the pouch once, twice in his hands, then tucked it into the folds of his coat. His voice softened slightly as he explained, “Pushka will forgive you. He’s the forgiving one.”
Nazariy tilted his head, listening in the distance.
“I know what you’re looking for. The black that hums.” He stepped closer. “I’ve seen where they collect. Where the land feeds them.”
Then, abruptly, he turned and began walking not quickly, not slowly. Just away. Into the skeleton remains of the tower blocks. He called back over his shoulder.
“I won’t show you now. The time isn’t right. Come with me.”