Looking into the «alien» hut, he certainly did not find a bicycle. There were only broken bottles, cigarette butts and some old worn sofa with the same kind of coffee table.
After standing for a while, coming out of the stupor that had seized him, he decided to go to the village, which was visible nearby, and resembled his native village.
– Probably came out from the other side of the forest – he thought.
– How could I get so lost? You need to ask someone what kind of village it is, and how to get to your own.
Igor suddenly remembered about the phone, but immediately did not dare to call his parents.
He was not used to complaining, but he was always used to getting out of difficult situations himself, although this case was somehow exceptional.
«I’ll call you later when I find out where I am,» he thought.
Approaching the village, Igor saw a man in his thirties. He decided to ask him where he was.
– Excuse me, please!
– Yes, baby?
– Uncle, please tell me where I am. I got lost in the forest.
Igor noticed how the young man’s face turned pale and his eyes widened in surprise.
– M-boy. What’s your name? – suddenly, stammering, he asked.
– Igor. And what?
– Igor … – the man thoughtfully cupped the lower part of his face with his palm, and, looking down, asked:
– Aren’t you Igor Zorin by any chance?
– Yes. And how do you know?
The man took out a paper handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the drops of sweat that appeared on his forehead.
– Uncle! Are you ill?
– No, Igor.
– So what kind of village is this? What is it called?
– Igor. Listen to me, don’t be scared.
Igor was already scared. He didn’t understand what this man wanted from him. He only asked where he was.
«How does this man know my name?» He was wary.
– I’m going home! – Igor blurted out, and rushed back to the forest.
His mother had always taught him not to talk to strangers.
– Igor! Wait! Don’t be afraid of me! This village is Zaustino, and Dimka is your friend, only already an adult! I’m Dima Ivanov! Honestly!
Igor was completely scared, and ran even faster, but he was very tired, so he could not run far.
The uncle grabbed him and hugged him, hugging him like a native.
– Don’t be afraid, baby! Better tell me where you’ve been.
Uncle Dema’s voice was soothing, and his grip was not very strong.
– Uncle! Let me go home. My mom is waiting for me. I promised to be back before dark.
– Igor! Don’t be afraid of me. Let’s go. I’ll take you to your father. Just don’t be scared. I got overexcited myself.
The student decided not to resist, but to call for help if they meet someone on the way.
The road ran along a street that seemed very familiar, but looked different.
There were low fences around the houses, which only fenced off the territory of the land plot, and did not hide the entire yard.
There were no vegetable gardens in the courtyards, but only lawns, paths and flower beds. There was not a single gray slate roof on the houses.
They were made of flexible multi-colored tiles, which pleased the eye.
As luck would have it, there was not a single passerby on the street. Everyone was sitting at home, from the windows of which electric light was already pouring.
The boy and the stranger accompanying him approached the house, which really resembled the one in which Igor lived with his parents. Suddenly the front door opened and an elderly man appeared on the threshold.
He didn’t notice the guests right away, just picked up a package on the terrace, and was about to go back in, but Uncle Dima called out to him.
– Mikhail Ivanovich! Wait a minute.
– Who’s there? Dimka! Come on in! And who is this boy with you?
It was hard to see at dusk, and the electric lighting of the street had not yet been turned on.
– Mikhail Ivanovich! Your Igor is back! See. He’s alive and unharmed!
Grandfather was stunned by such a statement, but when his weak eyesight saw his son, who had disappeared twenty years ago, in an unfamiliar boy, he almost lost his strength and did not fall. Dmitry managed to catch him.
– Dad! Dad! What’s wrong with you? What happened? Why? Igor shouted, and felt that he was falling and losing consciousness.
An unknown elderly woman jumped out of the house.
– Call an ambulance! Igor is back!
When Igor opened his eyes, he was again seized with anxiety.
