Ловушка для Мыслеформы. A Trap for a Thought-Form. Премия им. М. Булгакова / M. Bulgakov Award (Билингва: Rus/Eng)

It was just a trick of my agonizing Consciousness, in every possible way resisting the decision to slip away into the Other Reality during the last, the 40

 party in the Mansion. Clinging to life, Consciousness created a phantom from my past that could soften my heart to rewrite the life script. I even dreamed about Roman that night, even with a small belly, like in the very dream I felt happy of having finally found him.

However, he appeared again. Roman. My non-existent romance. He smiled watching me on the stage with interest.

When I reached the break for the autograph session of the Ninth decade, I sailed up to him.

«I’ve dreamed about you today,» I whispered, not adding «darling» from fear.

«Perhaps we all are dreams of each other, but this is not a reason to lose darlings. Besides, I did your home task and made a plan for the next 12 months. What does your plan consist of, Alice? I hope you didn’t forget to include my name as well. At least as your student?»

I silently scanned Roman and couldn’t understand what was wrong.

Wrong in the whole story: the sudden snowfall of Roman and Pasha’s puzzles. Why? What for? I couldn’t allow myself…

«Okay, Alice, silence is a sign of agreement,» Roman smiled. «Do you know what impressed me in the most charming Baba Yaga of today?»

«How easily did she fly onto the stage?»

«With what ease, joy, tenderness, and without any complexes, she recalled a magical night with her lover in their years. How old was she then? The Witch with „The Devil’s Trill“ looked half her age! However, as you correctly noted at the presentation, age for her, judging by the book, is a sore point, as well as the age difference between…»

I went cold and couldn’t utter a word.

«So what’s the next task, Master?»

At that moment, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. I turned around and saw the King of Swords.

«Do you mind if I walk you home after the Open Mic?» he asked.

I rashly glanced at Roman with the look that gives away any girl.

However, Roman just smiled like saying, «I can’t stay here that long.»

«Okay,» I replied to the King of Swords, and his heavy hand immediately disappeared from my shoulder.

«Do you like him?» Roman asked silently.

«The King of Swords never becomes the King of Cups!»

The Guardian rang the bell, and the break was over.

«You asked me about the next task,» I returned to the ground. «Audit your swamp!»

Task No. 2.