She is Louise

Chapter Three

The day had not yet begun to wind down, so Louise walked along the path through the Forests and Steppes with a peaceful mind. This day seemed to be one of many boring summer days, but only an hour ago it had been special: something new had come to Louise. Something she hadn't even realized before. Her parents were far away and living in unknown "Chascha", but the girl would find out about them. Or she would do something else – go straight to the City. To spite them. They'll take her there when she's eighteen anyway. But where is the Chascha? Is it really in the City? And is it the only one on the planet? Since the girl grew up, if I may say so, in the middle of nowhere, she had little idea how many people there were on Earth. But she will definitely get to the Big World. She might even make a friend – you don't meet them among the children of farmers and students of the Forest School.

– We are here," the young man Edol informed his companions. The trio approached the cottages, beyond which a single bright line was clearly visible, separating the human world from the one where beasts, birds, insects, farmers, and the few witches reigned. The teenagers did not suspect that their comrade Niels was following them on their heels. In fact, he had an objective reason – the boy, after all, lived in that village. But curiosity and a sense of excessive caution took over, and Niels decided to follow the girls and Edol. There was no telling what they might get themselves into – they were not without a clear mind. And Niels was a warrior, after all, who knew a thing or two.

– What's next? " Roxy inquired. She was obviously eager to demonstrate her superiority. Not only over other teenagers, but over the whole world.

– Do we wait for someone to show up? " Evie asked uncertainly. They didn't see Niels.

– I only see butterflies. Get out of here! " Roxy waved her arms, but soon realized that it wasn't really necessary. The butterflies couldn't get close to the children – something was blocking them. Like a barrier.

– We'll cross the border," Edol announced and stepped forward. Nothing much happened. Roxy, Evie, and the silent Thea followed suit. Niels, meanwhile, lurked behind the wall of one of the houses and decided to wait until they returned. Certainly not with booty. But, on the other hand, what if they got into trouble? Niels knew he might be late for his class, but not to leave these clowns in trouble, right?

When the four "brave men" began to move away from the border and were almost out of sight, Niels decided to make a quick run home and come back here on the way back. But then his attention was suddenly attracted by a small, lonely figure approaching the border. It was coming from that world, the world of meadows, steppes and sparse forests.

The boy saw a girl, a little younger than he was. She wore a gray dress with a white apron, and her blond hair swayed merrily in the wind. Louise saw Niels too, so she slowed down a little and looked closer. The young man also kept his eyes on the little girl from the forest. Who is she? Why is she here alone? Does she really live there on the other side of the border?

Completely unexpectedly, two things happened at once. First, hot tears sprang from Louise's eyes, burning her face unpleasantly. Second, a boy was speaking to Louise.

– Hey, what are you doing? So beautiful, and you're crying? " Niels asked. He sincerely did not understand what happened. Did he really scare the poor girl? Niels, of course, was lonely. No one ever sat next to him on the bus, and the girls secretly laughed. It was like he was a stranger.

– No, uh. no, no, no. I just…" Louise cried, hating herself for it. So much for the first meeting! How do people live, other people? …

– I'm sorry. Can I help? " Niels said quietly. He couldn't hurt a child!

– I saw… a girl and a boy. They were walking together.

– There were two of them?

– N… no. There were four. Three girls and a boy. It made me feel so, uh… Lonely.

– I understand you. I'm not loved too.

– No, no. I'm loved at home. I don't know anyone else. Even at Forest School, I'm…

– What's your name? " the boy asked.

– L-Louise. And you? " she said, wiping away her tears, which, however, had already begun to recede on their own.

– I'm Niels. Where do you live?

– We… W-we hardly know each other, I'm sorry…" said the girl, but then she asked:

– I'm looking for a mailbox. Can you tell me where it is?

– I'm only sixteen, Louise. You don't have to refer to me as an adult.

– I've just, uh. I've never talked to a boy.

– Not once in your life? " Niels was surprised.

– N-not once.

– So how…

– I'm sorry," Louise whispered, and ran away as if from a fire. The tears were glistening in her eyes again. A second, and only the girl's skirt was visible in the distance. She was making her way toward the cottage village.

"Gee!" Niels stood there as if struck by thunder. Who was this girl? And such an unusual name – Louise… Who is she? Apparently, she had met Roxy and the others and was upset about it. What's going on in her soul? …

– Uh, excuse me. Do you know where the mailbox is? " Louise shyly asked a farmer with a straw hat and a sack of flour in his hands as he passed by.

– Right down Main Street. You won't get lost," he smiled. – You're not from around here?

– I am. I'm just confused.

Well, that's it. Louise has been seen. No one can know who she really is! People don't like magic. People don't like people who are different. True, Galya hadn't said anything about what to do if you were being hunted. The girl looked around and did not see anything like an angry mob with pitchforks and burning torches. It was all right, then. And what little girls there might be in this village…

Louise soon found the box. It was very, very rusty and did not inspire confidence. What if he ate her envelope and didn't even choke on it? And mom wouldn't even remember that she had Louise. But there was no choice, so she put the letter inside. The deed is done and she can go home. Or rather, run as fast as she can. But Niels… Her heart beat faster. Her breathing seemed to freeze. The girl had never felt anything like this before. The day had taken on a very special color. Fantastic.

Roxy and Edol took a step forward. A moment more, and there was only darkness. They stepped onto the ground of the Forest. And in a moment they were gone. Stunned, Evie and Thea were left standing on the bright ground of the Field.

– Where are they? " Evie exclaimed. She was used to always following Roxy and had no idea how to act alone.

– Ugh!" said Thea. – What are we doing now?

– Call someone. Call the cops.

– I can't get a signal.

– So I don't know. You'll have to think of something!

– Ay, ay, girls, girls. You talk like cobblers. How did you get here? " they heard a voice behind them and almost jumped from surprise.

When they turned around, they saw an old woman in a ragged apron. She had some roots in her hands. What is she doing here?

– Who are you? " Evie asked, apparently desperate to take the lead.

– My name is Galina. Nice to meet you.

– Nice to meet you, too," Evie mumbled.

– Help us! Our friends are missing!" Thea said. That was the end of her word limit, and the girl would have to meditate and recover for a while. Communication is not easy for many people.

– What happened? " not without interest asked Galya, putting her stubs (obviously intended for baking for garnish) behind the sinus. Her dress in general was like a huge stash of all sorts of things. – What can I do for you?

– They were up… here," Evie pointed to a dark patch of forest grass. Were any of the worlds their enemy? If that's the case, they'll all be in trouble!

– Don't worry, they were just swallowed by the Forest. You'll have to follow and get your friends out," Galya said cheerfully and left. Louise will be home soon and will probably bring some interesting news. It won't be without it.

– Oh, and one more thing! Be kinder," Galya said to them. In a minute she was gone.

– What did she say to us? " Evie did not understand, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

– Just a few words," said Thea.

– Don't just stand there! Go on, go first.

– Why should I? You go first.

– Are you weak? I'm not! " Evie stepped onto the dark grass. Thea didn't hesitate to follow, because neither of them could do it alone.

Niels ran to his lesson and thought about the wonderful girl he had seen for only a few brief moments. For some reason, at that very moment his pulse increased twice as much, and his cheeks turned as red as the ripe tomatoes that grew in his mother's small garden at home. What if this… no, it couldn't be. Love… what a silly word! Childish and naive. Niels knew long ago that it doesn't exist. That people are just doing their duty. But, on the other hand, what was there to live for? Just to exist and then die? What's the point?

Niels took out his cell phone and turned on the selfie-camera: his red hair was standing on end from running fast, his green eyes were empty, his face was covered with moles and pimples, and there was a strange stamp of longing on his face. No, no one will want him. He will spend his life in a lonely house on the edge of the Earth, unless, of course, before that he died in battle. But what kind of battle? Would he ever be? Niels knew that love at first sight was impossible, but as long as he lived here and studied in the City, he should learn as much as he could about who Louise was.

Chapter Four

– What? I don't know any Louise. You must have been dreaming," Mrs. Mountain told her son Niels three hours later, after he had told her about meeting the girl from the Forests and Steppes.

– She lives there, on the other side of the border. Can I go there?

– No way, you're not making that up! What if your father finds out? What do you think, a girl?

– I'm sixteen now, Mom. That's quite an advanced age," the boy said calmly.

– I realize you're a teenager. But life has its own rules.

– I know, I know.

Niels was somehow calm, although his whole body was still throbbing. Somewhere in the world, there's Louise. Louise in a gray dress and a basket in her hands. With long blonde hair and big glassy eyes. Like something out of a fairy tale. Maybe it was – Niels had just fallen into a fairy tale that had lived nearby all these years? Now he would do the routine things, but he would go to bed early – tomorrow is the first day of duty. He'll have to put on a uniform with a uniform coat. He'll probably even be given a horse. Or just put him in a tank, as is proper in our world. He will be a knight, but a real one – now he has someone to protect. Niels forgot to think about the fact that soon his father would come home and demand an explanation. For everything. For everything in the young man's life, no matter what he did. He had also forgotten about his comrades, whom it was good to remember. His eyes closed on their own.

– Where are we?!" Roxy shouted in confusion, finding herself alone with Edol in the suffocating darkness. He may have been a great guy, but he was useless as a warrior.

– I don't know. It's dark.

– Get me out of here! " the girl began to lose patience. After all, she was a simple high school student, albeit obsessed with fashion and boys, but certainly not with old fairy tales. That's not her thing.

– Easy. Let's take a step back," Edol suggested, giving Roxy a hand so she wouldn't trip.

– Careful, you! My manicure! …

– Shh! Freeze!

– What is it again?" she asked unhappily, but she didn't have to wait for an answer, as branches began to wrap themselves around the bodies of the two teenagers. Or it was vines. You couldn't tell in the dark. Something had caught them. And wanted to devour them. It was a tree, but it wasn't just any tree – it was the Ruler of the Forest. Humans have done a lot of damage, not just to this place, but to the planet. And you have to get your strength from somewhere.

– Aaaaaaah, save me!" Roxy frantically panted and waved her arms. Edol, on the other hand, tried to remain calm, even though it looked like they were in trouble. The tree was stronger than they were.

Then the guys heard voices. As it turned out, they belonged to Roxy's friends, Evie and Thea. The girls also stepped into the Forest and fell into the clutches of the Tree. Well, more precisely, the branches. The situation seemed hopeless – who could help them and explain to the tree who was the boss? There was darkness all around and not a single living soul (at least not a human one). The "brave" four couldn't think of anything better than to start screaming together. Yelling. Swear a little – teachers or parents surely wouldn't recognize it.

The end would have been near, but, as it should, a miracle happened, arriving just in time: for a moment the darkness was illuminated by a bright white flash, and the children could see something marvelous. It was the wings of a butterfly. The tiny butterfly, like an intercessor, flew past the children and approached the tree. Then it began to flap its wings quickly, like a hummingbird. Waves invisible to the ordinary eye began to emanate from them (but the children were in a magical place!), as if attacking the mighty tree. Of course, nothing terrible happened to it, but the careless schoolchildren were released. The silhouette of the butterfly disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared.

It took Roxy, Evie, Thea, and Edol about a few seconds to realize what had actually happened to them. Everyone was intact – alive and well. Who had saved them? No one knew. It couldn't have been an ordinary butterfly – an insect weighing little more than a gram? Then who? Or what? This place was clearly home to powerful forces beyond the reach and control of man. Evil dwelt here. And evil has no place in this world. At least not in the City. We have to save him. Warn the others. Call for help. Gather an army and defeat the monsters. If necessary, raze all the Forests and Steppes to the ground. Or lower.

– Shall we go back? " Roxy was the first to speak, as expected.

– What was that?" Edol asked, scratching the back of his head.

– We failed the mission, you oaf! " Roxy shouted at him. How could she, a real star, successful in everything, screw up? Not catch a single scary beast? She was loved, no, just adored by the whole school, and she chickened out! They can't let that go!

– I remember the old woman," Evie said slowly, almost syllabically.

– What? Nonsense We were in the forest," Roxy countered.

– You were the first to set foot in it, and Thea and I were here for a while," Evie explained. – Right, Thea?

– Uh-huh," she mumbled. As before, so now, you couldn't get many words out of her. "And who are they all – just a bunch of losers!"

– Anyway, listen," Edol said, – there's no point in us staying here. We've got to go home – no, we'd better go to the police. They'll come and arrest these vile creatures.

– Yeah, and let them get what they deserve. Kick them, and kick them hard!" that thought didn't seem so stupid to Roxy.

– Let's get out of here before it gets dark," Evie was drawn toward the house, toward the chips on the shelf and the phone charger.

– Okay, let's go.

The four started back the way they'd come. Their journey had been almost useless, but now they had a purpose: to find and kill evil monsters. Better than cramming for algebra and geometry exams.

– People? Here? And who are they? " a worried Galya asked the butterfly, who had just returned from the Forest. – Of course, unless you mean those poor children…

– They were human youngsters. Four of them," sang the butterfly.

– I saw them. Apparently, they all went into the Forest.

– Yes. They're dangerous.

– You think so? I am not sure they're dangerous at all. People haven't come to our land for centuries. Except, of course, for the simple farmers. But they don't care about us.

– We could be in trouble. We could be attacked.

– By who? Children? Aren't they schoolchildren?

– There are adults.

– I don't know. I'll tell Louise.

– Louise is a child.

– She's going to be a Butterfly! The only one in the whole neighborhood.

– That won't happen for a while.

– Then forgive me, but what do you suggest?" it seemed Galya was beginning to lose patience. She didn't want to change the way things were and fight people instead of her and Louise's carefree life. The world had changed. Years and centuries had passed, and knights and kings had been replaced by programmers and designers. Of course, Galina was far from modern urban realities and generally the problems of existence, but now, and indeed, vigilance will not be superfluous. I'd have to send Louise on a little errand.

When Galina approached the house, she found the girl sitting on the doorstep with her arms around her knees. "Isn't she crying? I don't remember my Louise ever crying at all".

– Is everything all right?" the old woman asked timidly, stroking the girl's back.

– Yes, it's just…" she mumbled. – Galya, this is love…

– What? What are you talking about, honey? " Galina didn't understand. Louise is only twelve, and the time is definitely not yet right.

– The time has come, " Louise objected in response to these thoughts. – But there are no wings. That doesn't matter, though.

– Louise, wings have nothing to do with love. Nor with first love. Tell me, who is he?

– I don't know it myself, Mother. Our eyes met for only a few tiny moments. But I am different now.

– You've met a real human boy?

– He's Niels. That's his name.

– And do you need him?

– I need him badly.

– Do you? Well, I can't help you now. But here's what you're gonna do: Go to the border and cross the border into the City. There's a lot of streets – find a store on any of them and buy a newspaper. Bring it to me.

– Are you, uh… seriously? " the girl couldn't believe her ears. – I'm going to the City? To the people? That's unbelievable!

– Yes. Here, take five coins to pay for the paper. Go on, go on.

– I… of course I'm going!

There was no trace of her former sadness. The girl threw on her polka-dot jacket (it was already evening, and the cool breeze was making itself felt) and ran down the path again. To think that for so many years she had dreamed of going to the City! There are many, many people there: men, women, schoolchildren, old people and babies. Louise would see a new, vast world. And in it, that's where Niels lives.

– Roxy, are you sure you want to do this? " Evie asked her friend. They were on their way home.

– Of course I am. I want to be consul or minister of the City. I want to rule for real.

– What if they don't believe us? Or it turns out there's really no one abroad? What then?

– But we've seen it all ourselves! Yes?

Thea just nodded, and the boy shrugged. Sure, Roxy wasn't a bad girl, but power games were a risky business…

No one knew there were two different worlds.

Niels slept and saw Louise's eyes, while Louise herself ran to the border. Some paths seemed to lead them to each other. This is how marvelous stories are supposed to begin.

After the entertaining scene, the Tree said to its butterfly helper "Thank you". It respected its world. It is only a pity that the play about salvation did not make a proper impression on the frightened schoolchildren. They did not realize that good and evil do not exist. They are one. And the world of people and nature should also become the same.

Chapter Five

Louise ran faster and faster, but soon her left side stung and she had to stop and catch her breath. She was almost there – the lights of the evening houses in the distance. Multistory buildings. With elevator and balconies. The city beckoned the girl with its mystery. It turns out that to get to the fairy tale, and do not need to go far – just ten minutes along the path through the Forests and Steppes. Louise was so used to her world and home that she didn't even know if she could manage alone in the City. Reaching the border, the girl closed her eyes and stepped into a new, foreign land. She passed a cottage community, in one of whose houses Niels Mountain lived, and reached a paved road where strange carriages with huge burning eyes drove. "They must be cars," the girl reassured herself, and moved on. She hadn't met any people yet – maybe everyone was already asleep. But, although the first stars were beginning to light up in the sky, the City was noisy – music was playing from the windows, buses and rumbling trolleybuses, crowds of people were still coming out of the entrances leading to the subway. Tired moms and dads were rushing home.

"Where can I find the store?" Louise whispered to herself in a trembling voice. She's scared. It's dark. No one is around. Or maybe there is someone who wishes her harm. "There's nothing to do, I'll have to find out the way," the girl decided and politely addressed a man passing by:

– Excuse me…

– What do you want? " the man asked sullenly.

– Can you tell me where I can find the store?

– Are you not from here, or what? " the passerby was surprised.

– А… Uh, yeah. I'm new here.

– There's a grocery store across the street," he pointed to a small building with a lighted sign that read "Products 24".

– Oh, thank you so much. I can buy a newspaper there, can't I?

– Well, yes," the man replied and walked away, muttering to himself: "Who in his right mind would buy a newspaper?"

It worked. Soon Louise would be home. And the night would be over.

The girl quickly jumped across the road, not even knowing about the crosswalk. The path was lit by streetlights, but Louise did not pay attention to the "zebra" drawn on the asphalt with chalk.

She knocked timidly on the door of the store, but got no answer, opened it herself and looked inside.

The store was small, and the windows were full of all sorts of things in brightly colored packages. The only products Louise could recognize were weathered loaves of bread and plastic bottles of milk; chips and potato chips were unfamiliar to her. The tired saleswoman, a full-figured middle-aged woman, turned to her unhappily:

– Well? Speak.

– А… I'm sorry," Louise hesitated, but still she was not confused. – Do you sell newspapers?

– Yes, by the cash register. Which one do you want?

– The newest one.

– Five coins.

– No problem.

She did it! She will go home, then lie in bed and draw a portrait of Niels in her mind, and in the future (the summer is so long!) she will use pencils and make it for real. The city frightened the girl – so big and always running somewhere. Now it will be nicer to hide under the blanket, lighting everything with only a tiny but bright and hot fire in her heart.

The unknown always seems simple, but until you personally experience everything. Louise would definitely return to the City – she must see Niels again.

The girl was already rushing home, but suddenly something stopped her – it was her heart. "The settlement," it whispered.

There was a light burning in a single cottage. It tugged at her. Niels went to the window and saw a small figure. A girl. With long hair and wearing a light jacket. Louise. Niels waved to her.

The girl didn't answer. She just stood looking up until the lights on the first floor of the house went out. Then the front door opened and Niels's father shouted:

– Get out!

I should say it wasn't necessary. There was no one under the window. Niels climbed back into bed and prepared himself for his father to come up to his room. His footsteps were already echoing down the stairs.

No girls, he knew.

– Did you bring it? Good girl," Galya praised the girl. Louise even thought: "Does the nanny even need a newspaper?" In fact, she did – what if people showed up in their little world with guns? We need to find out more about them.

– I was scared.

– What's wrong?

– It's dark. You don't know what's around the corner.

– But you wanted to go to the City so badly.

– Why did you let me go alone? " Louise asked; she was beginning to feel drowsy.

– Go to bed," said Galya suddenly.

– I want to see the boy.

– You'll run away tomorrow.

– What?

– Good night.

Confused, the girl went to her bedroom. "I'll find you. I need you," she whispered and fell asleep.

– I'm waiting.

– Father, I want to sleep.

– No, I want an explanation! Who was that girl standing under the window?

– I… I don't know her. She must have been passing by.

– Liar! A girl doesn't go out alone late at night! Well, so what? " dad insisted.

– I have my first day tomorrow. I have to sleep.

– Suppose I believe you, Nielson. But next time I won't let you get away with anything. Remember, you'll stay in this house forever. Your mother and I decided it a long time ago. We birthed you and raised you, so pay us back. You'll have to serve and kill things that shouldn't be.

– What are you talking about?

– Go to sleep!" he slammed the door and left. It was clear that Henry thought his son was nothing. There was no love, only duty.

Louise started to comb her hair in front of the mirror as usual, but suddenly she froze in horror – her whole face was covered with some spots. The girl knew that she was not allergic to anything, and yesterday she had eaten almost nothing. And if she had, it was unlikely that her mother could know about it and tell Galina. Then what is it? What if she's sick with something?

– Galya, Galya, what is it? " Louise ran into the kitchen where Galya was already reading the newspaper. The same one Louise went to get yesterday.

– What's wrong? Don't scare me, baby.

– Do I have spots on my face? Where did they come from? They weren't there yesterday, I remember! …

– Let me see," the old woman called the child closer and began to scrutinize her face, in some places even a little probing.

– Everything is clear. Don't worry," after a minute she announced the "diagnosis". – You're growing up, Louise.

– What do you mean? " the girl was embarrassed.

– It's just pimples. Hormones.

– What's going to happen to me?

– You're becoming a teenager, that's all. It's perfectly normal. It's as natural as birth and death.

– I don't want to die," Louise said sternly.

– You don't have to," Galya laughed. – Shall we have breakfast?

– Come on. I'm terribly hungry," agreed the girl.

It seemed that Louise was ready to eat an elephant: a plate of porridge was followed by toast, cocoa and marmalade on agar, and then spoonfuls of flower jam straight from the jar. The poor girl couldn't stop.

– Louise, what's wrong with you? Aren't you full?

– I want more!" she exclaimed. One jar of jam had already been emptied.

– Wait, stop! You're not sick? You've never been like this before – you've always eaten little and selectively. You used to pick out all the bones.

"Adolescence. Ah, how long ago it was…" Galya added to herself.

The uniform fit perfectly, but the helmet was a little tight. All in all, Niels looked fresh, neat and warlike. But it was scary. Did his parents dislike him and want him to die in battle? "No, of course not. I'm a man after all," the young man reassured himself. It was time to leave the house – the squad should come for him and take him to the place of the meeting.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying home. My face is disfigured!" the poor girl was completely confused. She knew where Niels lived, just as she knew that there was a spark between them. An invisible thread had stretched out. First love, like in a fairy tale. One part of her soul had to find and see Niels at all costs, and the other part didn't want the shame of meeting someone else. What to do?

Niels… but they hadn't even met. Is there such a thing? Just fall in love. She's only twelve, she's a child – but her heart says otherwise. She's a magical girl, and Niels is just an ordinary man. A boy. Not Butterfly at all. She will fly, and what about him – standing on the ground and watching? It's not fair! "Maybe I don't need these wings so much? " Louise pondered. "That's what mom and dad don't need me. I'll take it and not accept this silly magic! I'll go to the City and look at people – to spite them! Mommy loved Daddy, just Daddy, so why can't I?"

Louise decided not to be discouraged. She dressed quickly, pinned her hair back, tied her apron and promised Galya to be there for lunch.

"Run. Look for love," the old woman only smiled. But she was uneasy at heart – what could those young men from the City do? At first glance it seemed that there was no one but farmers and butterflies in the Forests and Steppes – but there were not. There were those who flew. Those who hid. Those who lived underground. And then there were Galya and Louise. By the way, the girl often asked if there were no other Butterflies in the neighborhood; Galya answered in the negative, and it was true. Louise was really alone – at least, if she didn't get a visit from her mommy.