[01 [02] [03] [04]

                        *    *    *

     Oblavnye have obtained the order to move at least on two. It it 
Has not too helped. Within the next one and a half days it has wounded a three and 
Has shot desjateryh zagonshchikov, and also two pirates. That is has shot 
All holder. But by that moment it any more was not for Nika a problem. It 
Has got two more guns and kind one hundred cartridges. 
     Business has reached that, contrary to all rules, a photo of the citizen X 
Have been hung out at every turn. And it already popularity which Nik damns. 
Almost all ways for it are cut off. The airports and stations are closed, strengthened 
Patrols on roads. The city is practically surrounded. In the afternoon to get out on 
Street Nik cannot any more. It will call the same effect, as occurrence of a polecat 
In a hen house. It is learnt even by children. Exclusive security measures are accepted 
And protection of the population from "maniac". From a stock are called aged zagonshchiki, 
Whose experience of the first "wild" Huntings has appeared not superfluous, and the pirates who for a long time have left 
On rest. 
     In mass media the shy voices offering are distributed 
To forbid circulation of a black label, but they sink at once in indignant chorus. 
In what this society without Hunting will turn? Unless devil's liberals and advocates 
The human rights have already forgotten, how customs in previous years have low fallen? 
Unless one victim from one million will prevent us to grow up healthy and morally 
Steady generation? Unless under wheels of cars and in air crashes does not perish 
In one thousand times more people? And a cancer? And AIDS? And drugs? To put it briefly, hands 
Away from Hunting! Also it would be advisable to increase financing oblavnyh commands. 
To think only, the second week cannot catch any moron! 
     However why moron? There were not less than hundreds people which rubbed 
zagrebushchie hands at a mention of the citizen X. Glory to the moron, 
Enriched us! Few brave holders have at his expense profited 
Totes, but much more pigs it has ruined utterly. It has stirred up 
The inhabitant so, that at that a teeth has begun to knock. Some have bitten languages. 
Inhabitants peacefully dozed, while the death wriggled on that party of the television 
Screens. The citizen X has frightened all to a shiver in sickly knees. Rams 
Have instinctively bunched and have rallied even more strongly, and oblavnye 
Have definitively flown into a rage. 
     Two days he was at war in catacombs. For this time casual victims 
Huntings became some diggers and uncertain quantity of vagabonds, 
Shot by pirates whether by mistake, whether just in case. Costed 
To break one rule — and the others have become unessential. Hunting 
Has turned to a slaughter-house. 
     In the conditions of full lawlessness Nik felt absolutely not bad — 
Small fish in muddy water. It went on the edge. The death always was a number, 
Sometimes stealing up very close to it, but the known scenario of a round-up was 
It is hopelessly crumpled. In catacombs it has finished off a six zagonshchikov. Still 
Seven have appeared buried under a blockage. 
     Nik has got out of a vault in time. 

                        *    *    *

     The church stood on its way. It looked the little better, than poor, 
Pottering about on a church porch. Not so it is torn off, but it is not less dirty. Having been going to 
Together, members of the most closed trade union on light represented the serious 
Danger — especially if felt the competitor. Nik has bypassed the tenth road 
These embittered small dogs, has got through a high fence and it has appeared on back 
Church court yard. 
     Here all breathed tranquility. The cross over a tomb on the right was seen 
Any hierarch. The old maple showered with its yellow leaves. 
     It has guided Nika at abstract thought on, where, in what hastily dug 
To ditch dig in the killed biped game. But most likely game anywhere 
Is based, and, transformed into ashes in crematorium furnaces, it is transferred in a kind 
The smallest dust with a wind — a fruitless seed of death. Or serves as the grant 
For beginning medical students; after a meeting with pirates hardly probable it is possible 
To become the high-grade donor of internal bodies... 
     Through imperceptible lateral door Nik has sliped inside and has come to be in 
Empty booming corridor. Here lusciously smelt any aromatizatorom. Burnt 
Ordinary electric bulbs. Under a ceiling the telephone lasted 
Wires. 
     Nik for the first time has got to church and rather poorly imagined the local 
The schedule and arrangement of premises. Any awe it it is exact not 
Tested, though there were occasions to analogies: it has learnt taste of the poisoned 
Kiss, and the deceived crowd prepared for a show of its execution. However on Jesus, 
The victim for the sake of rescue of all sinners, it in any way did not pull. In the best 
Case — on chertika from a snuffbox, capable to arrange an alarm of the local 
Values. He did not wish to die and did not understand, why Jesus has not left 
Somewhere far away. For example, to China... 
     Nik has suddenly felt requirement to be thrown with Jesus in pair words. It 
Would ask, that the black label and really represented in those days from 
It it was impossible to get rid. 
     It has curtailed on the left, passed the sound closed doors. Bowls, icons, 
Little tables. Something like office accommodation. Everywhere was somehow on-meshchanski 
chistenko, also the sanctimonious spirit soared. Nik has imagined to itself local clientele: 
The ruddy devout old women who absorbed piety and have concluded good luck 
Amicable agreements. Simultaneously conditions reminded well 
Financed orphanage. 
     The door has behind squeaked. 
     — Here it is correct, my son, — was distributed well put 
Sweetish voice. 
     Nik has seen the priest leaving a dark room in which the screen flickered 
The TV. At the sight of the stranger that has not shown the slightest surprise. 
     — Better late, than never, — the priest has informed. — the god of nobody 
Will reject. 
     Perhaps and so, only Nik was not going to to enter the theological 
Discussions to pray for forgiveness sins and to wait, while pirates will let out to it guts 
Directly before an altar. And to the priest you will not give up in an insight — at once 
Has guessed, with whom deals. But only whether has guessed? Nik has pricked up the ears. 
     — Allow to eat, — he has asked without special hope, having pretended to be 
prostachkom. 
     — My son, in your position it is necessary to think of soul rescue. You hear? 
     The priest has upraised an index finger. The heavy cross laying almost 
Horizontally on its fat belly, rejected is oily-yellow, 
Obscene shine. 
     Nik really heard remote howl sirens. The sound accompanied it 
Everywhere, getting even in short restless dreams. A trumpet voice for 
The unique listener. The personal apocalypse came nearer... 
     "What do you know about my position?" — has angrily thought Nik. But aloud 
Has told another: 
     — To me to devour something, and I will take care of a shower. 
     — Hm why would be not present? — The priest has suddenly agreed. — but before... I 
I wish to look at IT. Show to me. Only from apart. When it will still be presented 
Case... 
     This second Nik has guessed in him the pervert. To whom, except the pervert, 
This sight and this voice could belong! Probably, same tone the priest 
Asked very young sinners to remove shorts in a confessional and to show it IT. 
     — You have gone! — has told Nik. 
     — Do not profane a sacred place similar speeches! — the priest, not has warned 
At once leaving a role. Then he, apparently, has considered Nika hopeless. From under 
Cassocks there was a paralyzer trunk. 
     For Nika such turn of events did not become unexpectedness. Eventually, 
The pop pirate — no more rare tsatsa, than the priest — the agent of a state security. If 
To ponder, the official church and was one of the most effective divisions 
This state security, the thin tool priruchenija. Not without reason priests 
Called itself "pastors", parishioners — "flock", and such, as Nik... 
Well it is final, "the stray sheep"! Here only it had the nerve not to ring 
Hand bell, notifying on the residence when it was required to them it 
Meat. 
     Little bit later it had time for similar generalisations. 
Harmonous enough picture turned out. But then it has reacted instantly. 
     Nik was a stone's throw away from the priest and did not begin to shoot at an emphasis, that not 
To lift noise. It has simply made sharp movement and has knocked the priest the handle 
Pistol on a head. Then has supported the massive hulk slipping on stenochke, 
Softly having lowered it on a floor. 
     It has already got some skill in such affairs and is correct 
Has calculated force of blow. The priest was cut down at least for some minutes. Nik 
Has dragged it in dark zakutok and has passed in the huge hall rolling in luxury. 
     Here it is proud gold sparkled. Sacred looked osuzhdajushche. Set 
Burning candles have forced it to recollect for some reason a black mass from a film 
Horrors. 
     According to Nika, it was a place where rams consoled for their money. 
Violence in church? One step before bloodshed? And what further?. 
     It has etched from itself(himself) one more inutile superstition. It was nasty not on 
Him; it remained pure. The being without prejudices continued to move in 
Searches of vital space. It without efforts has broken off a rotten network of fault, 
In which it tried to catch... 

                        *    *    *

     Sometimes he was surprised to with what ease disappeared from 
Professionals. The scent which has become aggravated to a limit unmistakably prompted, where 
There could be a trap. He perceived any place as PERSONAL territory, on 
Which strangers have intruded. He thought ever less and analyzed, but 
More and more trusted the dark half living in eternal twilight on 
To wrong side of the habitual world — in the conditions of continuous hunger, deprivations and 
Threats. There were new conditions; he tested unusual sensations, however 
Strange they seemed only in the beginning. 
     Now it was possible to it to keep long in consciousness certain important and 
Unsteady image — a stain designating a part of vital space, where it 
Was in safety. This stain continuously changed: that pulsed, as if 
Huge heart of an unbodied creature turned to a compressed circle, and 
Then suddenly threw out one or several "feelers". Moving along them, 
It found a way through barriers, filtered into cracks, slipped out, as 
The eel... 
     But if it is fair, to it too helped. It was not on another's planet, and 
Far not all took part in persecution. Happened, other derelicts showed 
To it an exit when he already considered the position hopeless. It was 
Short-term solidarity which in any second could turn back 
Animosities — it was necessary only Niku to encroach on poor food of beggars, on them 
Cardboard dwellings and even — ridiculously to tell! — on their perverted 
Representation about "freedom". 
     The most mysterious episode has occurred in treatment facilities, where it 
The hard has brought. He had to steam of hours to go knee-deep in dung, and Nik 
Has quite estimated graceful humour of a situation. Ashes to ashes, dung to dung. To die 
Here it would be, of course, extremely symbolical. 
     Oblavnye have started up tear gas, and Nik has understood, that this time they it 
All the same have got... Semigone blind, choking and lost orientation, it 
It was dragged at random on a universal toilet, through fetid and squelching bog, 
Spread in a ferro-concrete labyrinth. The echo already informed to it a voice 
zagonshchikov, and then... 
     Someone's hand has suddenly intercepted its right wrist. Probably, it 
It was stretched from a lateral course or a niche shipped in darkness. Movement 
Was fast and exact. It has moved, but another's claw held strong, though 
Also did not do attempts to beat out a pistol. In left hand Nik compressed a knife and from 
Unexpectedness almost instant reflex blow, however could strike something 
Has prevented it. 
     It has stood, trying razlepit stung in hundreds wasps eyelids and to make out 
The one who has dared at close contact to game. Vainly. On eyes streamed 
Burning veil; the mucous membrane was as if is strewed by an abrasive... 
     The unknown benefactor softly, but has persistently pulled it behind itself. Nik 
Has obeyed — and what it needed to do? 
     They went long, very long. Nik felt the blind child, 
Which conducts (home?.) mother. Or the tender pedophile — but it any more 
Had special value. 
     Being without a smell (all the intolerable stench hammered), without the person (around 
Anything, except darkness) and, maybe, with an one and only black hand, 
Moulded from the condensed nightmare, moved absolutely silently. It 
Has deduced Nika there where air was hardly posvezhee and where have not reached yet 
oblavnye. Has deduced — and has completely disappeared. The grasp was unclenched, and in the following 
Instant Nik has understood, that nearby already anybody is not present. 
     What is it was? If a hand. WHOSE? (As there in knizhonkah — a devil, the God, 
Foresight?.) 
     It not for long asked itself(himself) this question. It is rescued — and thanks. Gratitude 
Demanded new victims. Behind them business did not become. 
     By that moment it has turned to the national hero and simultaneously in 
National disaster. The prestige oblavnyh catastrophically fell. At the same time 
The trust to the authorities has reeled. Which at whom on the top the strong has begun 
Headache. To shake a boat and further became dangerous. Against 
The fugitive perfect forces of police, elite groups of special troops have been thrown and 
Army divisions. But ahead all the same there were pirates. 
     And eventually they have tired out Nika in a corner. 

                        *    *    *

     It has been wounded. Bled profusely. The water stock has come to an end. A stimulator too. 
All bandage and ampoules with an anaesthetising preparation are used. In addition 
At night frosts have begun. 
     Wounds are not deadly, but without professional medical aid to it not 
To manage. The stone laying against which it has leant a back, was that 
Notorious rasstrelnoj a wall near which sooner or later finish 
The nice or disgraceful way all rebels. He about what did not regret. At it 
There were enough cartridges to commit suicide and thus 
To avoid tortures. 
     Pirates for certain guessed it and have grasped with itself paralyzers. 
It was too valuable game, that so simply to die. Its execution would cost 
To stretch for months and to show in the best broadcasting time — if, of course, 
Has sustained an organism. The medicine is at decent level and is quite capable 
To provide with all wishing this pleasure. And it is a lot of interested persons. Even too 
It is a lot of, and in the evening energy consumption exceeds all conceivable 
Indicators. The tribe koprofilov guzzles almost continuously. Their appetite is unsatiable. 
     Niku it is indifferent, that is created in a parallel life. It prepares 
To accept last fight. And a strange thing: if now suddenly happens 
Improbable and any little man will come nearer to it and itself will ask to GIVE 
Label, Nik hardly will understand, about what in general there is a speech. And if will understand, vrjad 
Whether will agree. The label became for it not to what was earlier. Also designates 
Absolutely another. It any more a death symbol though the death is inevitable. It — 
Resistance symbol, sign on the lost and again found sense short 
Existence. It would not give it for any blessings of the world, because progryz 
Hole in this world, has entered illegally — and it suited it. All 
Insignificant "values" laid at his feet, and he looked at them as on dust. 
They also were dust. Only here also there could live rats... 
     It sat, bled profusely and waited. On his face the contemptious has fallen asleep 
Grimace. He despised the pain and the body which has appeared too weak for 
Long war. Such unusable piece of meat! If it helped, Nik would collect 
The blood hands also swallowed of it to hold on longer. 
     He heard any sounds, but has not been assured, what is it not its palpation 
Hearts. Or all the same steps? 
     It has wiped a sticky palm from blood which clamped a wound on one side, took 
Gun also has opened eyes. 

                        *    *    *

     The ring of pirates was slowly compressed. Now the victim had no place to disappear, 
And they did not hurry. On their persons it was possible to read weariness and gloomy 
Satisfaction. In this season the class game has got. Hunting has turned out 
Interesting and dangerous, as never. For many "angels of death" — 
Last. Survived could scoop adrenaline spoons... 

                        *    *    *

     Nik has hardly lifted a hand compressing a pistol. In eyes has darkened, and to it 
Costed extreme efforts to keep on a front sight conjoint trehgolovyj a silhouette. 
(It that else for a dragon?! A taxi from a hell?.) he has grinned about itself(himself). These idiots 
Openly came nearer to it! 
     He waited to shoot for certain though risked to receive a charge from 
Paralyzer. But the word "risk" already had for it absolutely abstract 
Sense. 
     Suddenly the leader of pirates — enormous the big fellow with dreadful forward has acted 
Scars on a physiognomy. Its smile looked like the bear grin. Against expectation 
The paralyzer bell has been directed downwards. 
     — Not bad, the sonny, — has croaked this nedorezannyj 
Frankenshtejn. — it is absolutely quite good... You leave sense. Consider, that you 
It is employed. Welcome in flight. 
     What stood up for it, have lifted hands, giving something like salute. 
     Nik did not believe the ears and eyes. On the other hand, whence still undertake 
Pirates and zagonshchiki, if not from among victims? Fiends? Messengers from that 
Light? Skazochka for fools and timid housewives! All of them too once 
Were game, but have deserved the right to pass in the category of predators. Have paid for it 
The blood. Nik saw scars, a mutilation, black holes of pupils... Unpretentious 
Opening, however it warmed soul. 
     Nik held a pause. The temptation was great. Pride held apart it. It 
Has passed this terrible examination. First of all to itself. To spit to it on that, 
That all pirates, together taken think. Let alone rams... Now it 
Itself was a wolf. The experienced hunter. THEY just recognised it. To it 
Suggested to enter FLIGHT — so the leader has named the gang of the cheerful 
Murderers. 
     But unless THEY did not understand, what such how Nik, are doomed to loneliness? 
He is last fighter of resistance. Its personal struggle will proceed, 
While it is live, and will end with his death. There will be no even a legend. All 
Matters only here and now... 
     It again has slowly looked round pirates. It would be possible, of course, 
It is beautiful to die, having taken away with itself of one more or two. But whether it is a lot of from it 
To sense? Whether will detain it the following Hunting?. 
     What prompted it an instinct? 
     To live further. 
     To struggle, but to change tactics. To destroy system from within. To be rubbed in 
The trust to become the among strangers, to rise as it is possible above in hierarchy of flight, 
To get influence, and then to start to cut THEM secretly and one by one. Probably, 
For persuasiveness during the future Hunting it is necessary to finish off and a couple 
In what not guilty rams. Well, the end justifies the means. Ancient after all 
Too brought bloody a victim on Victory altars. No, it will not surrender. 
     Still one against all. 
     And it is not visible to war of the end. 

[01 [02] [03] [04]