Tatiana Smirnova
Virusomahia
The lessons of survival
When Perushko began to walk and understand words, to distinguish the squares of the energy-saving lamp and the bright light above, where Lubava went every day, when he first climbed the escalator steps and saw the street behind the glass, the first prohibitions fell on him from the strict but fair aunt Vera. "Don't come out", "don't breathe in here", "don't show yourself". At first, they were worth taking on faith, but then, through questioning and mistakes, came the understanding of the significance of what was said. The air above had a sweet-sour taste, sometimes strong, sometimes barely perceptible. And just such an almost indistinguishable aroma acted on the subconscious of all citizens, whether at the level of chemical compounds, or by the action of pheromones, causing negative deviations in the soul. Wealthy citizens got tranquilizers and wore masks. Ordinary people also used simpler masks, and their effectiveness was not always expected. Fights, harassment, and quarrels broke out here and there. Only injection of a dose of a tranquilizing substance stopped them, caused complete apathy and callousness. They themselves were inoculated with such an impenetrable antivirus, and became completely inhuman, unemotional creatures with mechanical movements and lack of any compassion for people.
Every morning Lubava came out of the depths of their underground shelter to work. She was an employee of a self-service grocery store. The work was hard, but safe, because Lubava was completely isolated from customers. She watched the room through video surveillance, and as soon as the goods were finished on the shelves, she drove out on a high forklift and filled the empty shelves. For this she received enough money to feed herself and to maintain aunt Faith and Perusko. She herself had been left without a mother, and had it not been for aunt Vera, she would not have survived the turmoil of the outbreak. Then aunt Vera, who had lost her husband and children in a mass brawl, and little Lubava took refuge in a boarded-up subway, cleaned it of dirt and arranged it in a safe home with reliable air circulation, preventing the spread of psychovirus. In this very place Perusha's childhood passed. Aunt Vera was afraid to let him go to school, and taught him at home, asking him to read and answer her tasks. In addition, Lubava's notebook opened up an immense world of geographical discoveries, scientific knowledge and communication for Perusha. The online translator helped him to communicate with foreigners without difficulty, learning everything new and new. So passed his childhood and apprenticeship. But when Perusha was sixteen, the established harmony was destroyed: Lubava decided to get married. Aunt Vera, who had grown very old by that time, decided to move to the village, so as not to be a burden to the young family. And Lyubava's fiance, a little slowed down by the effects of tranquilizers, drove a large truck, which contained all aunt Vera's belongings, Perusha's books and even a huge desk.
In the village
The village for many kilometers around, was deserted. There was a glimmer of light here and there, indicating that someone was still living in the house, but the streets remained empty and unkempt. In one of these houses, with a strong fence and log walls, aunt Vera and Perusha decided to settle. A neighbor, old grandfather Afanas, gave them the keys to the house and helped them light the stale stove. They had a large docile dog, Gavrik: the animals were not affected by the psychovirus, so they remained the most reliable companions and protectors in this harsh time. Gavrik diligently scared off uninvited passersby from the fence, and aunt Vera and Perushka even managed to collect a good harvest from their small, but lovingly cultivated plot. When the field work was over, Perun began to visit his grandfather Afonya often, listening stories about the past and reflections on the essential like a sponge. Until then, he had lived like a flower in a cozy greenhouse created by aunt Vera. Now it was time for him to think about the meaning of his life, about the purpose and the Higher goles.
"Grandfather Afanas, why does this virus not work on you? "
"My sense of smell must have run out, and with it I can't be stirred up by the noxious odors," said the old man.
"So, if I put garlic up my nose, I'll be safe, too?" Suggested Perun.
"Listen, this reminds me of the plague doctors of the middle ages, they went around in nosey masks, where they put medicinal herbs and garlic, and remained healthy… in general, my personal belief is that all viruses are sent from above to make people think about their place in this world, to stop wasting life. So that they begin to live as they should…"
"And how they should?" Perun respectfully nodded to grandfather, asking for an explanation.
"It is appropriate to live so that every day is meaningful, so that people develop their talents and skills and use them for the benefit of other people and the entire universe. Previously, we had temples everywhere in Russia, and people drew from the dialogue with God the highest meaning, but now there are cameras everywhere, people are afraid of others and themselves. This means that they are also closed to the Higher world…"
Perun pondered these words for a long time, then collected a travel bag, adjusted the mask on the nose with garlic smell, wrapped the notebook given by Lyubava, and went in search of the highest meaning.