It is Just a Virus

Chapter three

My hand hurts, my head aches. I headed towards the hospital, but I understand that it is better to jump there. Yes, in reality there will be no bruises, but in virtual, unfortunately, they heal as long as in reality. There are a lot of people in the virtual today, like never before. Passers-by are unusually cheerful. Who with a drink in his hand, who with delicacies. Okay it does not matter. Now the main task is to find out everything about Pattie. I stopped to assess my condition. Jeans are torn and cannot be repaired, now I have to spend 20-30 vcoin on new pants. And I do not have extra money, on the card it's only 300 vcoin. I cannot spend this money; it is in case of a necessary trip to my parents in reality and for oxygen. A bank card is one for both worlds. I reached for the card and froze. The card was not in the back pocket of the jeans. My breathing quickened, so much that I thought I would suffocate. Convulsively remembering when I last used the card. Has dropped out?! Not possible. Jeans tightly adhered to the body, like a second skin. The pocket was reliable. I checked another pocket. No! It's not here. I got dizzy.

I do not want to fall for the second time in a day I staggered to the nearest building. Leaning my elbows against the wall, I slowly slid down. Sitting on the floor with my head on my knees, I came to my senses. The fall in the cafe ... And the hands of the guy trying to get up from me. And then it dawned. He stole it. Hell yes! Could not drop the card, could not!

I lifted my head from my knees and began to peer at passers-by. As if I could find him among people now. It's stupid. He probably has already gone far away with my card and somewhere paying it off. And I do not recognize his face. At the time of the fall, I had no time for acquaintance.

"Are you okay?" asked excitedly passing girl.

"Almost," I said quietly.

  The girl, shrugging her shoulders, went to where all the people were heading. The decision came by itself. Go for everyone. Perhaps this guy will be there. Although where is it? Rising from the ground, I walked uncertainly behind the people.

Rikkon Square. The only area in Groome Town, and occupied almost half of the city's territory. In the air, clouds floated with colored cartoons. In the night sky, the clouds looked amazing, decorating the sky with happiness. In the buildings surrounding the square, the windows were automatically closed and painted under the color of the houses, creating from the walls a canvas for all kinds of projections. On one building, lines of all colors of the rainbow and all shades of neon crossed, on the second, the waves of notes turned into a tsunami, on the third, the flowers woke up and became butterflies and bright birds. I stopped, looking at the magic created for the holiday. I turned around in search of some information about today. And I immediately found it. One of the clouds was advertising today's event. Concert in honor of the first successful introduction of the chip with the V-world program and in fact Day, the first resident virtual. A great day for all the inhabitants of the Earth!

 I went deep into the crowd. There was almost no free space, and the traffic slowed. Of course, everyone wanted to get closer to the scene to hear their favorite songs and just listen to live good music. Sellers incredibly managed to crawl through the crowd. Someone carried various delicacies on trays, spreading around the flavors that fueled the appetite. Someone in huge cooling aprons managed to sell drinks. And a million different souvenirs that will remain only in this world. The stage is still far away, as well as on any other holiday, set at the beginning of the square. I walk slowly along the way looking at the beauty around. It is difficult not to pay attention to these miracles around. While I was staring at the cloud on which some music video was spinning, someone crashed into me from behind, stepping on my foot, and it felt like tearing my sneakers. What the hell!

I turned to quarrel with my abuser, but froze with my mouth open. Bright green eyes looked at me for a minute. The guy, with a huge bag of souvenirs, whispered "I'm sorry" and sharply changed direction. This is he, the one I'm looking for! He went against the current of the crowd, I followed, pushing through the onlookers.

"Wait!"I shouted after him. But either I was not screaming loudly and my scream was drowning in the music and noise of the crowd or whether he simply did not want to talk to me. Well, really, who wants to explain to the victim of his crime?! No one, of course. I added speed, pushing people without embarrassment. The guy also accelerated. I watched him, with his black hair, afraid to lose among the crowd. He constantly turned around, and looked at me with disappointment. Yes, I'm still following you! And I'm not going to miss it! Suddenly he threw a hood and ran. I braked for a second, not expecting such a turn. At that moment, I instantly lost sight of him. 

Disappointment washed over me, erasing the last drops of confidence from me like water erases footprints in the sand. I, realizing that, most likely the guy will go in the other direction, still went to the exit. The desire to watch the concert and listen to music evaporated, along with my card, and torn sneakers and jeans. I went to the exit, already slowly, absorbed in self-pity.

There were fewer people. A couple of steps from me stood a bench, and I was so tired today. I sat down on it, feeling incredible relief. Back and legs were buzzing after walking. I crossed my legs to look at the damage to the sneakers. Yes, the sole has moved away, but it can be glued together, it’s not so scary, probably. I leaned on the back of the bench and took a deep breath. I looked at the starry sky. Pure, clear, infinite, as always. 

I didn't find out anything about my friend and was left without money. My clothes and shoes are torn, my body is full of bruises. Finally, I chased the thief. God knows what!

On the other side of the bench someone sat down, but I did not want to look who, and anyway.

"Hi."

I looked from the starry sky to the person next to me.

"It’s you! Thief!" I said louder than expected.

The same green eyes were looking at me, now with a soft, affable smile. Black strands framed his face and neck, lending seriousness to even his sweet smile.

"Hush!" he said, and put his index finger to his mouth.

"Hush? You robbed me tod..."

"I’m here and now we will discuss all, do not shout," he interrupted me.

I really wanted to take something heavy and launch it at this impudent man. I ran my hand over the bench, hoping to find a cobblestone on it. Of course, it was not there, so I just folded my arms.

"I'm listening. And where, by the way, is your bag?"

"I hid it. Come on, take a walk," he said, and got up from the bench.

I stayed to sit. Is he completely crazy? And he just offered me his hand.

"We’ll go to the concert, I’ll explain everything on the way."

"I don't need to explain anything, just give me a card and go wherever you want."

"Come on," continuing to keep a hand ready to help me stand up.

I still sit. He put his hand away, and just went back to the square, to the concert. He walked very slowly so that I could catch up with him. Do I have a choice? I got up from the bench and followed him.