Half-breed Xi. Zombies on the streets of the Milli

PROLOGUE

From February to May 1909, Asiatic cholera raged in Vladivostok. A quarter of the city's population died. There were not enough doctors and medicines. The situation was catastrophic. It was especially creepy to watch those patients who survived!

The sick huddled in flocks and roamed the streets of the city. From the very moment of its inception, the city had a division into borders. The boundaries of the division, of course, were conditional, but they were. There were areas where the rich lived, and there were areas for the poor. And, of course, there were areas where people lived below the lower poverty line. One of these districts was called "Millionka".

So, patients who had been ill with Asiatic cholera, and managed to stay alive, did not recognize the regional framework and divisions. Those recovered wandered everywhere. The inhabitants of the city, those who lived in the relatively clean half, were afraid to stray far from their homes. As I said, cholera survivors roamed in packs, but did not know each other, did not notice or recognize each other. However, if someone, having hesitated, separated from the crowd, one of the cholera roars called the lost woman to the flock.

Flocks who lost their memory did not recognize relatives and friends. Cholera was called "Asian", but it was born in the heart of Millionka, in a quarter where overcrowding and unsanitary conditions reigned. It was only later that she was brought to the south of China by one of the sick people. A Chinese man came for his father's birthday. He brought gifts with him. He brought all the money earned in Vladivostok and ... a cholera embryo. He did not stay in his native village for long, only three days, but that was enough to infect the whole family. Leaving, the man promised his family to come in six months, but this was their last meeting. He never saw his relatives or the rest of the villagers again.

After the man's departure, three nearby villages, a small town in the neighborhood, and the village where the man was from were empty in less than three weeks. The man returned to Vladivostok. And then, right on the street, he lost consciousness. He did not reach Millionka only a little bit. On the streets of Millionka, the disease has already taken everyone who can be taken away. But it has not yet leaked into the central quarters, and now one of the sick people has been admitted to the hospital.

The pestilence engulfed the streets of the city like a fire. Cholera was nicknamed "Asian", thinking that the Chinese brought it from the south, from their native village, but as you now know, it was not so. The hospital staff was melting before our eyes, and the doctor who treated the Chinese also died. Two nurses have died.

But the Chinese survived, and his name was Liu Baishi. Before his illness, Liu lived with his brother on Semyonovskaya. In addition to them, 13 other people lived in the room.

Liu did not remember the moment he left the hospital room.

He circled the city and could not remember where his brother lived. Baishi was healthy physically, which could not be said about his mind. Finally, everything faded before his eyes, but the man did not stop and did not fall. On the contrary, his movements seem to have become more purposeful.

How much time had passed since his mind had turned off, Baishi did not remember. He realized himself only in the twilight. His feet carried him in an unknown direction. He didn't recognize the street, didn't recognize the people scurrying around. He could not even recognize the one who lives inside his body. Liu did not remember his name. He didn't remember anything.

It was evening. Darkness descended on the streets of Millionka. Someone called out to the man. By this time the streets were completely empty. It was quite warm, but the fog had already taken over, and quickly draped the dirty streets in a milky gray color.

Baishi heard someone else's speech, but did not understand what was said to him.

And they spoke Russian.

Standing in front of Liu Baishi were Gregory and his friend Nikolai.

Two years have passed since the last meeting, but you can easily recognize both Grisha and his friend Kolka. However, Kolka you could forget. You only met him once.

Then, two years ago, Kolka deceived Grisha. This was the case when Kolka was carried away, and he lied (or fantasized) without stopping. The result of his lies was a trip to the Tokunago house, the search for a non-existent doctor and a shameful flight.

Probably, Grisha quickly forgave his dreamer friend, otherwise we would not have met them together.

The boys haven't changed much. Only in the eyes of Grisha froze longing. A week ago, Grigory and Sophia said goodbye forever to their grandmother.

Grandma left quietly. She knew that her grandchildren would not be lost now.

Sadness settled in the house. Oddly enough, but Larisa was killed most of all, while Sophia reacted to the death of her grandmother almost calmly.

Before her death, the grandmother asked Grisha to promise something. After a little thought, the young man gave the old woman consent.

But let us return to the evening streets of Millionka, to Liu Baishi and the two young men.

Kolka squinted at the Chinese and wanted to pass by, but, seeing that Grigory was trying to move the manza frozen by a pillar, he returned and, spitting in disgust, said:

"Grinya, why are you doing this?" No need to help this move! You can't save all the sick anyway.

“Kol, you probably don’t understand! If you leave him on the street without help, he will die before morning!





- Oh, so you're talking about it? Listen, it's dark around here and creepy! I... To me... You're right, it got dark very quickly! Mama must have been hoarse by now, calling out to me! I went home! And you, Grisha, go. Uncle Elistrat does not like it when you are not at home for a long time. Let's go?

- Go, Kolka. And I'll take the Chinese with me. Tomorrow we will figure out where to send it next.

“But why did he surrender to you, that infidel?”

“Whether he is not Christ or not, he is still a living soul!”

- As you want! I went! How do you make him go? You drag yourself, right? He's barely walking!

- It will be necessary, and I will drag it! Go Nikolai! Once you go, do not interfere!

- I'll leave, but you ... Yes, leave him, and let's go home together! I'm afraid of something! Come on, we won't make it!

- My grandmother punished me before her death ... I promised her that I would help everyone who needs my help. Uncle Elistrat did not disdain me when I raged in unconsciousness! Now it's my turn to help the unfortunate!

“Elistrat was messing with you because you saved Lariska from a Jap!” Otherwise he would have saved you, wait!

- And I will not, Kolka, argue with you anymore! Go. It's already quite dark. After all, I will not walk you home today! Me in the other direction!

- And you call yourself a friend! Traded a friend for a yellow-faced! A liar is a liar!

Annoyed, Kolka, seeing that Grisha did not react in any way to his insults, grabbed a large boulder and launched it at Grigory. But… missed.

The stone hit Baishi, but Kolka did not see it. He ran with all his might.

Liu was covered in blood. The stone hit him in the head. Grishka wanted to rush after Kolka, but immediately changed his mind. Baishi sank to the ground.

“Well, Kolka, well, you bastard,” the young man wailed, “I’ll catch you, I’ll kill you!” Chinese, how are you? Walking?! Manza?! Man, get up already! We need to go! During this time, you can not stay outside! Gotta run home! Here, lean on me! Move your legs! Gotta be on time!

But they didn't make it! According to Grisha's calculations, there was very little left until the terrible hour. Minute fifteen. And Grisha had to change plans.

Grisha decided that he had to go to the slums. They managed to reach the slums.

The slums were quiet, cool and peaceful. When terrible sounds filled the night streets of Millionka, Grigory and Liu Baishi were already far underground.
Полный текст тут http://proza.ru/2014/08/13/182