LITMIR.BIZ

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there was a crack. Something flashed behind the trees.

      They slowed down abruptly until they stopped completely. Penelope took a step to the side, hiding behind Erikson and continuing to look over his shoulder.

      The figure flashed through the trees once more. The series of sounds of breaking branches and rustling leaves continued.

      – Who’s there? – Erikson asked in a half-voice, somewhat trembling.

      The unknown figure began to move in their direction, after which a voice rang out:

      – Why are you walking here so late?

      Ludwig came out onto the path, looking about twenty-five, although he was actually only sixteen. From an early age, this guy was tall beyond his years. He was three years younger than Penelope and four years younger than Erikson, but he was a head taller than them, had broad shoulders and impressively sized hands.

      Hearing the familiar voice, Erikson and Penelope breathed a sigh of relief. The autumn before last, they had come across two wolves in these parts, but they were lucky then, because Andreas was with them, and he had a double-barreled shotgun. In this part of the forest, through which the path to the lake, river and fields passes, predators were almost never encountered. They mostly lived on the opposite side from the village, or, if someone went hunting, they had to cover a huge distance so that in addition to hares, deer and wild boars they could meet a wolf or a bear.

      – If you sneak up on me like that all the time, I’ll definitely stop hanging out here late at night – Erikson replied.

      – Oh, come on – Ludwig said soothingly. With his left hand he was holding the strap of the gun that was hanging on his shoulder, and in the other he had a bag, which he immediately opened. – By the way, it’s good that I met you. – He put his hand in the bag and took out a shot hare, which he handed to Erikson. – Here. I hope this will smooth over our unpleasantness.

      – Oh! But thank you for this – Erikson said in a satisfied tone.

      – And you, beauty – Ludwig addressed Penelope, handing her the second hare. – Its skin will make a good hat for the winter.

      In response, Penelope kissed Ludwig on his cheek.

      – I don’t understand – Erikson was indignant. – Do you want to steal my girl?

      Before Ludwig could justify himself, Penelope said:

      – Once you learn to hunt, then I’ll kiss you a thousand times.

      Despite Ludwig’s menacing size, this guy had a good heart, which everyone knew very well. He spent half a day hunting, shot four hares and easily parted with half of his catch, and this made him a little happier at that moment. If a soul could have its own size so that it could be seen, then Ludwig’s soul would be as big as he himself. Greed and selfishness were alien to him. The only thing he was stingy about were the cartridges for his gun, which he tried not to squander while shooting.

      The three of them continued walking towards the village.

      As soon as they left the forest, they saw ten-year-old Ursula running towards them. Almost reaching Penelope, she began to shout:

      – Dad said to tell you… – but then Ursula’s speech was interrupted by the carcass of a hare in her older sister’s hand: – Wow!

      Ursula had already forgotten how important the message was to convey to her sister, but Penelope understood what Ursula wanted to say without it. At such a late hour, the only thing her father could order was to quickly go home and not go wandering around God knows where.

      – Okay, – Penelope said, turning towards the boys after taking a couple of steps forward. – See you tomorrow. – Then she addressed Ludwig personally: – Thanks again, breadwinner. – With these words, Penelope quickened her pace, taking Ursula’s hand.

      When Penelope was already far enough away from them, Erikson said, not without sarcasm:

      – She called you a breadwinner. You’ll definitely steal my girl soon.

      – What do I have to do with it?

      – Even though she doesn’t call me that. Now I’m starting to think she doesn’t consider me a man.

      – Oh, come on. Do you want to go bear hunting together tomorrow and then tell her that you shot the beast?

      Erikson slapped his palm on Ludwig’s huge shoulder, after which they laughed and continued on their way.

      On the outskirts of the village, Penelope and Ursula met eight-year-old Wanda. She had a basket full of strawberries in her hands, and the basket was just the right size for Wanda.

      She ran to meet them, and Penelope immediately asked:

      – Hey, what are you doing here at this time?

      – Mom knows. I’m just a little late.

      Penelope looked around the evening gloom and said:

      – A little?

      At the same time, Penelope perfectly understood the girl, at whose age she herself would run anywhere that was more interesting than her own yard, and in the same way she was in no particular hurry to return home.

      – Help yourself – said Wanda, holding out the basket.

      Ursula took a couple of berries from the top of the hill, while Penelope ran her fingers over the strawberries, assessing the number by touch in the semi-darkness, after which she asked:

      – How much time did you spend to collect so many?

      – I just pick quickly. – Wanda giggled for a while, and then added: – And I also know the best places to pick.

      – Come on! Come on, tell me where! – Penelope threatened playfully, grabbing the tip of Wanda’s nose with her fingers. The girl laughed. – I’ll steal some – Penelope added, taking one berry from the basket.

      – Take some more – Wanda suggested.

      – Well, since you insist…

      Penelope put a couple more berries in her mouth, then hurried the girls back home.

      Approaching the house, Penelope handed the hare’s carcass to Ursula and said:

      – Go home. Tell them I’ll come as soon as I see Wanda off.

      Ursula ran towards the house, clutching the carcass of a hare that seemed almost bigger than herself.

      Meanwhile, Penelope continued walking down the street, and Wanda continued to treat her to strawberries.

      Noticing Penelope passing by, seventeen-year-old neighbor Ian, hiding behind an apple tree trunk, did not take his eyes off her even in the semi-darkness. Ever since childhood, he could not stop admiring her. In his innermost dreams, he imagined his future life next to her, where she would give birth to his children and share his bed every night. Ian’s mind reluctantly returned to reality. Although, however, it never returned entirely. Some part of him already literally lived separately from his body where he hugs the neighbor’s girl and walks with her under the moon. Penelope herself never had long conversations with her neighbor. She always greeted him, like everyone else, and sometimes even asked how he was doing. Ian felt like when she asked how he was doing, he was given a great opportunity to strike up a conversation with this beauty and take the first step toward making his fantasies at least a little bit closer to reality. But Penelope asked about Ian’s business when she met him just out of politeness, when she got tired of saying “hi” every day and wanted to say something new. But every time Ian fell into a stupor when this beauty was interested in how he was doing. He was overcome with trembling, his thoughts were confused, and he could not utter anything except “fine” and “okay”. After such answers, Penelope went on about her business and Ian was ready to hang himself because she left so early and he painfully

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