Cursing as a cab driver, Murat climbed out of the cab. The wheels of his “Ural” have already completely plunged into the soft rubbish of what some imbeciles proudly called the “regional road”. This “highway” was a thin intestine, with here and there islands of gravel and timbered flooring that stretched for several tens of kilometers lazily around the shabby hills. In addition, there was not a trace of habitable housing throughout its length, the abandoned trailers of builders were naturally not taken into account, but they were not a frequent decoration of this dull landscape.

Murat once again unprintedly recalled the cases of Komsomol-drummers who, apart from this razdolbayka road, also left piles of hopelessly damaged equipment in these parts, and rich memories in the heads of local girls, which the “drummers of labor” used especially actively. But alas, the female population in these regions is small, and therefore everything was suitable for "friendship", everything depended only on the duration of abstinence, and the degree of alcohol intoxication, which rarely dropped below the mark, to put it in official language, "intoxication of moderate severity." However, the wind of change has long since carried away the Komsomol drummers, along with all their "exploits" and "achievements."

Without hesitation, Murat descended on the footboard of the car. He hoped to jump over to a relatively dry place, and once on hard ground try to throw some rubbish under the wheels of the car to give at least minimal support to the wheels. But the damned overcoat got tangled in its legs and Murat slammed straight into the squishing muck. After several minutes of effort, he ended up on a lichen-covered island, from which a swarm of midges instantly rose.

The situation was bleak, it was not necessary to rely on the help earlier than two or three days, as the transport was extremely rare. Murat figured that if he returned 20-25 kilometers back to the gas law, then it is possible for him to encounter repairmen, who at this time of the year worked “in field conditions”. And the chances were not small, but this was the only way out for him.

Sputting off the nasal murat has already passed 10 kilometers, but then his gaze fell on a log cabin, which perched right on top of the hill. In itself, this structure of interest could not have caused, but to Murat’s great surprise, thin plumes of smoke rose from the chimney, and this could only mean one thing, someone was there. Perhaps these are geologists or gas producers, and it is likely they have a walkie-talkie. Murata was somewhat alarmed that nowhere near he saw an all-terrain vehicle, a vehicle that was so familiar to them. However, there was no time to think.

A minute later Murat stood at the low door leading to the inside. Not much ceremony, he pushed the door.

- Well, great soldier, what are you from the sky syudy fucked? - Murat flinched from surprise and turned to the voice.

- Hello, yes, I actually ...

- Yes, come in, and you will let mosquitoes

Murat’s eyes had become accustomed to the darkness and he was able to examine a man in his 40s who was sitting on a stool, although who knows, the age in the north is indefinable.

- Do not worry, we do not bite - the voice of a man sounded hoarsely-Well, if I came, let's get acquainted. I-Nikolay-

- It's nice, I-Murat-

- In fucking, just like my dog's name. Come on, I’ve got a smile on Nikolai’s face.

“And I got into trouble here, the car got bogged down, so I stamp people on the gas pipeline - Murat already understood that Nikolai is not at all dangerous, and most likely this is one of those northern hermits who can be seen in the wilderness.

- Yes, you're an eccentric brother. Do you even know that there that fucking long branch has come. There you will not meet a dog, and people, and even more so, Nicholas spat on the floor.

- Yes, but how can I get to the unit? -

- And dick knows it. There are no kilometers for a hundred kilometers.Besides me, you and Galki - Nikolai turned his head and looked somewhere to Murat behind his back.

Now Murat noticed a woman who had been quietly sitting in the corner all this time. He noticed that she was younger than Nicholas, and then Murat felt ashamed, with her overcoat soaked with rage, ashamed, as the schoolchild can be ashamed of when she was taken to masturbate in the school toilet. He wanted to throw these rags. Fortunately, Galina noticed his condition.

- Kohl, I bring some water, worthless man in the mud to keep-Gali's voice was quiet and very soft.

- Yes, yes, of course. I would have done it myself: ... well ... And here Murat noticed that in the place of Nikolay's right leg there was an empty leg dangling.

- How far to go? - Murat somehow wanted to brighten up an awkward pause.

- Yes, no, until the river about ten minutes bude. Kohl bears do not shavayut-Nikolai laughed.

- Has it happened? -

- A hell knows. Maybe it was. Maybe not. Tundra dumb she will not say ::. - And the face of Nicholas suddenly became serious.

Murat didn’t like this turn of conversation too much and he happily followed Galina out on the street. The first meters of the way they walked in silence, but Murat could not help talking to a beautiful woman, whether it was his southern temperament, or simply he missed the usual friendly conversation.

- How long have you been living here? -

- Here? Well no. Five days. We used to live closer to the village. Yes, now there is a tower set. The people have come. Nikolai is afraid of something that happens. - Galina stopped and looked at Murata, as if she wanted to know what kind of person was hiding under a gray official dress.

- And what can happen? - In the voice of Murat sounded a sincere surprise. - Luda they are people everywhere. -

- Have you been in the north for a long time? - Galina looked into Murat’s eyes.

- Almost two years. - He smiled a little when he remembered how he was cursing at the entire military enlistment office when, instead of the promised Moscow suburbs, he was sent here. Although complaining about the fate until recently, there was no particular occasion. Service in the ammunition warehouse was not at all burdensome.

- You're happy:. Here's a little more and you leave. - Galina sighed and turning away quickly went along the barely noticeable path.

- Where are you going from? - Murat wanted to somehow revive the conversation.

- From Tula. -

- And how did you get here? - Murat already practically knew the answer.

- Like everyone else. She studied as a nurse. They came to us at the school. They offered to go to the "shock construction". And I::. God be with him. Well, I went with my girlfriend. Got into the village with ::. expeditions went. - Galina's voice trembled. - Then the district hospital. What am I doing? ... - Murad understood perfectly well what was behind these everyday words.

- Didn't you think about returning? -

- And where to? - Galina smiled sadly, Who and what awaits me?

- A friend - how? - Murat was confused. On the one hand, he did not want to upset Galina with his questions anymore, on the other hand, he wanted to hear her voice, listen to her as they listened to music.

- Nastya? I left with the oil industry two years ago. Some say drowned, others hanged. And who will tell the truth now. Only the tundra knows. But the tundra is silent she will not say. -

And then Murat felt his body being poured by a cold wave of hopelessness. He realized that during these two years he had not seen the north. In a moment, everything seemed hostile. It seemed to him that the tundra fell on him with all its swamps. “The tundra is mute” - in these words was the whole truth and the truth was cruel.

They did the rest of the way in complete silence, and only as they approached the river bank Murat felt that he was gradually recovering from a state of torpor. With unspeakable relief, he threw off his overcoat, which is to this ...