"What is cold? - the state of the weather? Souls? Bodies?

I cannot answer this question because I don’t know it. From the very beginning of realizing my "life", I did not know how to answer this question and many similar ones. Although she herself tried to find the answer in the books, she could not do it. In one of the reference books or dictionaries, I found a definition, although it could not give me anything. But, probably, most often I asked myself another question: what is death? And she also did not understand, because she could not put herself in the place of others, she could not. Although I knew the answer. Death is me. All my adult life I have been engaged in taking away human souls and giving them to the darkness, then to the light, but more often to the first, because people are now rotten.

And don't even try to argue otherwise. Do not forget that I see you through.

As strange as it may sound, there was no earlier Hell and Paradise, but there was only darkness. Then, later, I appeared - their daughter, as it is now customary to say "an old woman with a scythe." Then people appeared, and only after them Hell. Paradise did not exist for a very long time, until one of them came face to face with me and was able to survive. He later founded Paradise, and began to collect there bright souls - angels. It wasn't strange or out of the ordinary. But I didn't care at all, because the angels and demons are still afraid of me. Each of them contains exactly the same soul as that of a person, but the bodies do not age, therefore they live. And I can take this soul, and then they will never have a chance to be reborn, so they do not like to deal with me. And when the angels take another soul with a "battle recaptured" from me, then they are deeply mistaken, because they won not because they were able, but because I allowed. And each time, with each damned soul, you first need to figure it out and determine where to put it. Perhaps it will settle in my shoulder bag at all? But this is not so important to me, they are not important to me, although in part they contain my strength. After all, the more they are in my bag, the stronger I am. True, no one knows about this, except for the father and mother. They are strange, my parents. One constantly sits in the premises of the modern world and thinks how to increase the income of a company that he does not need. And the second walks around the world of mortals, constantly looking for something, but still does not say what. Although I don't care about that either, because I am Death. And I don't need emotions, because they give me extra problems. "

Death's diary entry.

The huge building, located right in the middle of the city, delighted the eyes of passers-by. It embodied the novelty of tastes and timeless classics. And who would have thought that somewhere out there, in the depths, there is a room completely unsuitable for modern times.

It was gloomy here. The dim light from the candles gave little sight of the surroundings, but there was nothing to see. The old masonry had long been covered with moss in some places, but, surprisingly, the air is dry and suffocating. If you looked closely, you could see dust in the air. But those present here did not care at all. Human figures are seated at the table. Each wore a dark robe that completely hid the body, leaving only the head for viewing. At the head of the table was the only person who stood out from the general black formation. It was a blond-haired man of about thirty-five. His hair was neatly combed, his gray-green eyes looked intently at the speaker, and his fingers were tightly locked in a lock. He was dressed rather unusual for such a place. The white jacket and trousers pulled him out of the darkness, but at the same time the black shirt gave the impression that a sucking hole had formed in his chest, shaded only by the same white tie. Many knew him as the Devil, Devil, Lucifer or just the Lord of the Underworld, but all these human speculations were not correct, because they called him Darkness.

- So. Perhaps I'll start, ”said the bald old man with a wrinkled face. But as soon as he took the papers, he immediately dropped them from fright. The room for a few moments plunged into pitch darkness, but it seemed, what is there to be afraid of demons, they can see perfectly in the dark. However, now none of them saw how their comrades' eyes lit up in the dark. This darkness was different - all-consuming and fearful.

Gradually, the fog began to thicken and reach for one specific place - an empty chair on the right hand of that strange man. At some point, he disappeared, turning into another figure, but more feminine and fragile. The old man swore hard, and then shouted almost to the whole audience:

-What the heck?! How long can you break in like that ?! This already does not climb into any gate!

- Well, first of all, hello. I apologize for being late. A lot of things to do, and secondly, Mr. Mandigor, it was already possible to get used to it. After all, you have trampled this earth for eight hundred years. Well, thirdly, show respect for your elders. I have existed longer than you in this world, and even if my appearance does not lead you into a stupor, ”the speaker curled her lips in a semblance of a smile. But no one noticed this, since her face was hidden under the hood. The fair-haired man looked at his daughter and nodded curtly in greeting. The girl did not keep herself waiting long and easily bowed her head in response.

“Continue,” a soft voice cut through the silence. It seemed so pleasant and enveloping, but many of those present heard a steel note of indifference in its depths.

- So ... - the bald man fell silent. But after, he continued again.

- Lately, a lot of souls come to our domain. But, as it turned out, this is just a small fraction of what is being collected.

- An angry glance quickly darted towards the newly arrived, but then switched back to the Devil, - one third of the entire receipt is written off as light, you can still put up with this. But of the remainder, we only get twenty-five percent. The question is brewing: where does everything else go?

- Are you dissatisfied with something? You are missing? - the hood swung towards the speaker.

- The upper layers are fully provided, but the lower demons are rebelling ...

- So let them come up and find out from me personally.

- The scythe that suddenly appeared with a ringing entered into the recesses specially made for it in the table.

- Or, perhaps, to some of you to remind what happened during the plague and witches? - an angry look, from which everyone cringed, ran across the room.

- Hush, little sister.

- North - the demon of Greed, the younger "brother" of Death, slyly looked at her, but this did not bring the expected result. “Calm down,” Darkness unhooked his hands and placed them on the arms of his chair.

- Death, cool down. And finally take off the hood. And you, Mandigor, really tell everyone who doesn't like it to come and sort it out personally.

- I have a name, - the girl hissed through clenched teeth. But she took off her hood and looked around with an indifferent glance at all those present, until she came across one person who made her think and abstract herself from the meeting that was uninteresting to her. Thoughts themselves flowed into the memories of this morning.

“The weather was cloudy. The sky, covered with gray clouds, was about to threaten to bring down its streams of water on people, or to whom it was more romantic - tears after the past summer. Now every person in the city tried to dress warmly so as not to be pierced by the cold autumn winds. And, it seemed, who could walk the streets now in one sweater, hat and pants with boots? But no, there was one girl who was dressed that way. Slightly stretched gray sweater, chunky knit. The same hat on the head from under which flowed red hair, ordinary black jeans and high top sneakers. She stood out so much against the general background that it was simply impossible not to notice her. She was not cold because she did not feel him. She was not wet from the rain that had begun, because she did not know how it was when it was wet. She did not care about the reality around her, the main thing was that she was not touched. The shoulder bag swayed rhythmically from the steps, but suddenly the redhead stopped. Her cornflower blue eyes were now fixed not at her feet, but at a huge billboard. There, from this advertising banner, exactly the same cornflower-blue eyes looked at her. "Darkness" - she was really depicted there. A red-haired beauty dressed in white. The idol of millions of girls, model and designer of modern clothes is Lissa, or as many people knew her, the White Queen. “How strange they are both. Although it seemed that you couldn't hide like that, because you were constantly under the gun of TV cameras. That he, that she - both famous people. They have nothing else to do. " - Girl, why are you standing in the rain? Do you really want to get sick for the sake of the image of your idol and not meet her in our city? - Death turned around. Behind her stood a guy dressed in a black coat, sitting on it like a glove. His eyes were perky, sparkling, a cheerful smile played on his lips, exposing cute dimples. - Hmm, how much you are similar to the White Queen ... not a relative by chance? - the girl carefully examined him, trying to understand what was embarrassing in him, and then realized: the unnatural pallor of the skin of the face. "Sick". And indeed, upon examination with true vision, she noticed this guy's blood problem. - Wow, are you her daughter or what? Very similar. - Yes, a relative. I am her daughter, - this phrase was uttered without a shadow of emotion, as always, a mask of indifference remained on his face. - Probably out of luck. You probably rarely see her. Incidentally, I did not introduce myself. My name is Fash, or completely Fashiar Dragotsy. - The guy warmly extended his hand, and she continued to study him. He seemed vaguely familiar to her, as if he reminded her of someone, but she still could not remember who. - Vasilisa Ogneva. Although you do not need it, because in a few minutes you will already forget my name, since there is no need for it. - Why? - We won't meet again. - How did you decide that? - with each spoken word, his smile grew and grew. - It does not matter. - And if we do meet? - Then it will be fate, but it is unlikely. I'm sorry, but I have to go, - and she just left, hearing only afterwards: “I will wait for our meeting!”. At first, the girl did not pay attention to this, since her head was already hammered with devilish compassion, which she could not extinguish in any way. She was even sad for the soul of this guy. “Poor Tsarevich Alexei, he still can't live a normal life, but it's all because of me.” Turning into the first alley, she suddenly changed, being dressed in a black hoodie. And a moment later, the red-haired woman disappeared into darkness, hurrying to such an uninteresting meeting. - And I was waiting for this ... - hated breath seared his ear.

The girl's eyes widened sharply. Everything that she tried to bury associated with this demon, immediately flooded consciousness. A dull rage filled a heart that now seemed foreign. In the almost empty hall, an inhuman roar was heard, the inner demon of Death asked to come out. With a snap of her fingers, Vasilisa was behind the guy. After moving it, a black sucking spot remained for several seconds, to which it was dangerous to approach.

The scythe immediately, according to the mental order of its mistress, turned into an equally dangerous weapon capable of taking the life of a demon, a person, or an angel. The dagger throbbed in her hand, the blackened silver with a wooden handle seemed alive, and the neat patterns seemed to run blood.

- Do you remember what happened during the plague? -the voice was shrunken, slightly cracked, but iron, frightening - do you remember who it was because of? - cold steel touched the demon's neck, he swallowed nervously.

- Listen, Lyakhtich, as soon as I change the angle of inclination, you will already be a corpse, and your soul will go to my backpack forever. Would you like to join your friends? - now she looked like a rabid, although apparently she was. Anyone would be afraid of her now, black eyes without whites and irises, tightened, hypnotized, forced to forget about everything and become a victim.

- Vasilisa, no! - North appeared as if out of nowhere and knocked the weapon out of his sister's hands. Mark reacted just as quickly: he sat down abruptly and rolled away,

- Dale, get him out of here! - the demoness of Lies also appeared unexpectedly. This girl, very similar to her brother and father, quickly teleported herself and the culprit further away.

- Vasilisa, calm down! - North tried to keep the redhead in the ring of his hands, but she showed incredible attempts to free herself. She howled, growled, and even tried to bite.

-What's going on here? The gloom materialized with a loud bang. His gray-green eyes indifferently walked over the struggling ones, but as soon as he saw who his eldest son was holding, the man was immediately there. He carefully examined Vasilisa: her eyes were black, her skin turned pale so that it was possible to discern under her all the passing veins, which were as black as night - it's good that this time did not reach the first blood, - Norton exhaled sharply and pulled from the bosom a small bottle. The cork was pulled out with a small sound, and the purple translucent smoke immediately rushed to the girl. Vasilisa inhaled it sharply, and it seemed to be thrown back, the red-haired woman threw her head back and opened her eyes, a hoarse sigh echoed through the hall,

-North, go. She will be fine

-But…

-Without the "but", - Mrak answered sharply. As soon as the guy let the girl go, she immediately collapsed on her knees and breathed heavily, sweat appeared on her forehead, the skin slowly began to acquire a normal shade, and the mind cleared up, - Vasilisa, you need to rest.

-I'm fine. I have a lot of work, I have no time to chill. ”The girl got up on one knee and struggled to get to her feet.

-Of course, I understand everything that you have a demon of Lies in your relatives, but at least don't lie to yourself. You yourself know what happened now, moreover, your essence tells you the opposite, - cornflower blue eyes looked angrily at her father, but she understood that she could not do anything, - here, hold, - Darkness held out a small ball in his palm. It was half filled with a black mist that now swirled at the bottom - you can see for yourself. From that moment, - there was a snap of fingers, - you are enrolled in the medical institute, it is not far from here, just five minutes from it you will now have an apartment with a car. These are the keys to the first and second. Classes start tomorrow morning. Rest, but do a favor so that you don't get kicked out of there. Documents, money and license later, if I'm not mistaken, you know how to drive a car. Your vacation will last for a year, good luck, - Death did not have time to say anything, as she was arrogantly and unceremoniously thrown into the apartment that was recently assigned to her. The scythe clinked offendedly, falling to the floor, Vasilisa clenched her fists in powerlessness.

It was boring. The auditorium was almost completely filled, there were ten more seats at most. Each student sat, buried in his phone, and tried to drive away the obsessive sleep. At the very top, "Kamchatka", is a red-haired girl who, out of nothing to do, rolled her pen on the desk. Her other hand was busy holding a glass of freshly bought coffee. The hot drink burned his hands, but the palms had not felt anything for a long time. Tongue receptors did not feel the bitterness of the brewed coffee, sugar drowned it out.

Another sip did not bring any relief, because I did not want to sleep anyway. It was strange for her to get enough sleep in the last four hundred years. Vasilisa once again glanced lazily around the audience. Nothing has changed, everyone also took care of themselves. The girl turned on the screen of the new phone, looked at it lazily, noted that steam would start soon and turned off the gadget. The head landed softly on the bend of the elbow, and it was tempting to close my eyes, though it would not have given much result.

A small company of four passed through the door. Three guys and one girl. Vasilisa looked at them lazily and deliberately slowly. A fair-haired guy with a hedgehog-cut, a brunette with a square and a guy who is familiar with curly hair. The girl still could not take her eyes off him, trying to remember, and then a meeting before visiting the Council surfaced in her head. Yes, it really was Fash Dragoziy

"Interesting, ”- a small spark of excitement lit up in her eyes, as soon as her gaze migrated to the last person. He turned out to be a fair-haired guy with curls and green eyes, very much like a "cat", but the most interesting thing about him was that he was an angel. A smirk played on Death's lips. And as if feeling someone's gaze on him, the fair-haired man stopped and began to carefully examine the audience, but the emu was not allowed to complete this. Friends dragged him further - to their places. The company apparently took its rightful places in the middle of the audience, since they had previously remained unoccupied.

All the rustling and whispering immediately subsided as soon as a tall, handsome man with a goatee walked in the door. Ognevy's eyebrow shot up in surprise. The lecturer quickly reached the lectern and threw the folders in his hands onto its surface. With this action, he once again drew attention to his person. All those who again rested on the phones raised their eyes to him.

- So, the devils are striped, distracted and put their finger-sticking machines away. And they prepared to listen to the voice of reason, - the brown eyes "walked" over the audience and stopped at what it seemed to him, a sleeping red-haired girl, - a new one has appeared in your gathering, as I see. A certain Vasilisa Ogneva, - many of the female representatives immediately began to groan, and the guys began to look with their eyes for a new girl, whose father is one of the richest people. - What, girl, got here thanks to your father's money? It was necessary, almost in the middle of the semester, to come, - laughs played in his eyes, the man was clearly mocking, but for some reason this fact did not soften Death's conclusions about him. The Narcissistic Peacock.

- Believe it or not, it's not because of the money. Sorry, of course, I just don't know what your name is, but it seems like you should be giving us a lecture on the topic "Nervous system"?

- And you know the program, let's see how well you study. So, let's start, - Vasilisa lazily opened the only notebook and, purely mechanically, took a pen in her hands. But it was somehow uncomfortable, of course, it was strange for Death itself, but all the same, the girl hated it when they stared at her for duty, and now this was no exception. The red-haired woman understood that at least at least three of them were now turning their attention to her. Cornflower blue eyes narrowed menacingly and began to look for these daredevils. However, she was not surprised when one of them turned out to be that guy - Fashiar. The blue-eyed waved his hand at her and immediately began to whisper something in the ear of the guy with the "hedgehog" sitting next to him, in response he only nodded understandingly and also kept glancing at the new one.

The last one was an angel. His eyes blazed with anger and determination, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles seemed whiter than snow. Vasilisa looked closely and saw how the pupil of the eye was constantly deformed, becoming feline. An evil grin appeared on Death's face. “And the game will be worth the candle! Angel, so also with a gift! It was not for nothing that my father sent me here.

The corridor was completely filled with students, each of them hurrying in the right direction. Many crowded around the timetable booth trying to find their flow. Someone rushed to the buffet in order to have a snack or even breakfast, and someone just went to the coffee machine. The red-haired woman moved with a measured step, knowing that she would not be late, but late, so she would stop time and get there quickly.

After the end of the first pair, the girl suddenly realized that she wanted to buy another glass with a drink that invigorates people. She didn’t care that it was a waste of money, she just wanted to understand - what, to understand coffee varieties, as a person.

The machine gun was large and bright, it was difficult not to notice it, and it was even more difficult not to notice the red-haired girl next to it. She stood and read the list carefully, wondering what to take this time. Death had been here for a long time, so there was already a line of "suffering" behind it. Someone even tried to yell at her, but was immediately silently included in the list for the nearest consideration, and aloud sent to hell, and not in very flattering terms.

-Maybe I can help you with the choice? - Fash was next to a cheerful and unchanging smile on his lips. Cornflower blue eyes studied him coldly and again turned to the list, - hey, why are you so sad? Something happened?

-What makes you think so?

-It's just that "your face has a vague meaning," and I thought that something happened to you.

-You're wrong, - Vasilisa finally made her choice and pressed one of the buttons. The line behind her sighed happily, but immediately fell silent under a menacing glance - everything is fine with me, as usual - "except that I am Death, and now I am studying in medicine."

-So I was wrong. Okay, I'm not talking about that, let's go, will you take a walk with us today, after college?

-"With us ”- with whom? - the machine squeaked, notifying about the finished drink. Ogneva took a hot glass in her hands and clasped it tightly with both palms. Dragocius looked at this in surprise and asked politely:

-Aren't you hot?

-No, low pain threshold, so with whom?

-With Nick, Diana and Maar, of course, I'll be there too, - my head immediately clicked. “An angel with the gift of conversion ... Maar ... Bronner is a third generation angel. It's even more interesting, but not now ... "

-I'm sorry Fash, I don't think I'm going. A lot of things to do at home, - the guy frowned. Because of this gesture, the pallor of his skin became even more noticeable, something inside the girl stirred, reminding him of something. Death hastened to look away: "Why exactly he?" - spun in my head. - We need to hurry for a couple. Sorry again. ”She darted from her place, moving away from the puzzled guy with quick steps.