wanted to… – he said in a low voice.
– Excuse me?
– Nothing. Go to sleep.
– I didn't catch it. What did you just said?
– I said I don't work in “Vega Technologies” anymore.
Katya perfectly well heard what Dima said, but the news that he had lost his job shocked her no less than what was he said earlier.
– No, that's not what you said. Repeat it! Don`t be like a woman, be a man!
– Like a woman!!?? – He screamed, jumped out from his chair – I'm sick of this damn life, you got it? I'm a scientist! Physicist! But I`m earning pennies! Besides, that scoundrel Albert! I want a car run over him somewhere! He just a spoiled son of a rich dad! He doesn't need the lab and our research. His father died a couple of days ago, and what do you think? He's selling the lab and dismisses all the scientists. Scumbag! Just like that, he manages of other people's destinies, without even imagining what consequences people may have.
After this emotional speech, Katya immediately heard Alice crying in the next room.
– I asked you speak quietly. Now you woke her up. Okay, don't worry. You're a sought-after scientist and you'll have no problem finding another job, so…
– I don't need another job. I'm sick of everything! – Dima interrupted.
– Are you fool? – Katya was indignant – We have a small child in our arms, who needs to be fed and clothed!
– I've always felt myself like out of place – he muttered, sipping his beer again – I could rule the whole world…
– Oh my god! Enough! You're saying bullshit. I don't even want to listen. Go to sleep. Tomorrow you'll sober up and then we'll talk.
The next morning, Dima went to work closer to lunch. He is really no longer worked in “Vega Technologies”, as well as many other physics scientists. He just had to go to the HR department, sign the papers about dismissal by his own will, and collect the payment. It shouldn't have taken long time, just about two or three hours. Therefore Katya was waiting for him at home not later than four o'clock in the afternoon. But he didn't come. Not this day, not the next. Katya announced a wanted list.
Soon it became known that he did not come to work that day. As a result of interviews with the villagers, it was established that some man, around eleven o'clock in the morning, went in the direction of the forest. An active search began. But after six months, they were discontinued. The official report, which was issued to Katya when the case was closed, was marked “missing person”.
Very soon Alice noticed her mother's deep thought and hurried to ask her what she is thinking about:
– Mom, are you okay? You look so pensive – Alice asked with a smile.
– Yes, everything is fine baby. I just remembered something. Well, never mind. By the way, I have a present for you. Wait a second, I'll be right back.
Katya left the room, and in a minute later returned with a parcel in her hand.
– Mom, are you kidding?! – with a full mouth, Alice mumbled, and after chewing continued – We are not so rich. How can you afford this gift?
– Calm down, I didn't spend any money and it's not really my gift.
Alice looked at her mother questioningly, waiting for her to continue.
– You know, when my grandmother died…
– Mom, please don't! – Alice cut her off – Don't talk about grandmother now.
– No darling, just listen. I know how much you loved her and she loved you the same. So, when she was dying she gave me this – she picked up the bundle from her lap and slowly began to unfold an old, dusty rag – She made me promise that I would give it to you on your eighteenth birthday.
Alice saw an old wooden box, covered with copper. The lid was engraved with a design of two spread wide wings. The border was stamped with symbols which is look like letters in some unknown language. Also, there was a hole for the key, but most of all Alice was interested in the verse that was written on the bottom of the box.
“Just light and wings in right position,”
“Will tell the truth about that,”
“Where does the sleeping Ont still keeping,”
“An oldest secret for all time”
After turning the box several times her hands, Alice asked:
– What about a key?
– I wouldn't mind opening it by myself and take a look what's inside, but your grandmother didn't give me anything else. And to exactly the same question about the key, she said: "Just give it to Alice”
– Hmmm – the girl mumbled and stood up – Okay, Mom, thank you for the treat. I'll go sit outside and explore my unusual gift, maybe find a way how to open it – she said.
– Yes, of course, darling.
The mother noticed Alice`s eyes light up when she picked up the box. Her daughter always has been attracted to various old things, myths about fantastic creatures from other worlds, and so on. Alice, without exaggeration, was taken deep inside into the Fantasy books stories. And every time, every new story Alice experienced by herself, like it was in reality. She had probably read more than five dozen books by now, and if the room of the average girl of eighteen years was a room with soft toys and beautiful posters of movie characters, then Alice's room it was books, books, books.
Chapter 2
– Grandma, Grandma, take a look I found it! – Alice exclaimed.
– Well, let me see – grandmother said, coming closer – Well done baby, this is White mushroom. Carefully cut off the leg and put it in the basket.
– Yes, of course.
Little by little, their baskets were filled with mushrooms and gradually they went deeper into the forest. Anyone who didn't know the area well enough could easily get lost in such a big forest, but not Alice's grandmother. She knew this forest as well as if it were her second home.
Shortly, they came to a small glade. In the center of it was a massive oak tree. The massive trunk of this tree couldn`t be wrap around even by ten people. The branches going very high up and the crowns fell ten meters away so they touched the firs and larches growing nearby. Alice exclaimed again:
– Grandma, take a look! Wow! What a huge tree! I've never seen like this before.
– Yes, baby, I know. But it's not only a big tree.
– Really? – Alice looked inquiringly.
– Yes my dear. This is the oldest oak tree in our forest. He is the master of the forest. In ancient legends, they are also called Onts.
– Onts? Hmmm – Alice drawled thoughtfully – And how do you know so much?
– Well
