Бесплатный фрагмент - Farewell to Tomorrow

Chapter I

Summer, June 2022. It was the time of exams, long-awaited vacations, and relaxation after a tense school year. Students, filled with hopes and anxieties, hurried to take their exams, relishing the wonderful mild weather, where the sun’s rays shone softly and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. A similar atmosphere prevailed at Moscow State University (MSU). Students were diligently memorizing formulas, rules, and theories, but deep down, no one suspected that instead of the deserved rest, something else awaited them.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the trials. Our main character, Sergey, nervously awaited his turn to take the exam. Anxiety gripped him, but he tried to focus on what lay ahead. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice.

— Hey, you! Come here, quick! — shouted his long-time «friend» from school, the one who had often made Sergey feel awkward and humiliated.

— Get lost, idiot! — Sergey replied, trying to project confidence despite the anxiety that engulfed him.

— What did you say? — the aggressive student snarled, clenching his fists and approaching Sergey with a scowl.

— I said what I said. For God’s sake, don’t make a scene here, in the middle of the university, — Sergey tried to calm him down, his voice trembling slightly with fear.

— I don’t care! Let all of Moscow be here; I’ll still show who’s in charge! — With those words, the student, slightly rising on his toes, swung his fist and struck Sergey hard right in the nose.

— How do you like that, pathetic bastard? — he sneered, looking at his victim with disdain.

Blood gushed from Sergey’s broken nose, and a sharp pain overwhelmed him. Embarrassment flooded over him as he realized the gazes of those around him, including the girls, were now fixed on him, but not a trace of regret was visible in the eyes of the students. Just then, Sergey’s main enemy prepared to strike him again, but fortunately, a physics professor emerged from the classroom and called the student over. The professor, oblivious to Sergey’s injury, calmly walked into the laboratory with the adversary.

Sergey had only one friend — Dmitry — who always supported him in tough times. Unfortunately, Dmitry could not come to the exams due to illness, leaving our hero to face the troubles alone.

After a while, the student who had been called by the professor burst out of the laboratory, tears in his eyes and a results sheet in hand. Obviously, he had failed the exam, just like his emotions, and he headed back toward Sergey, blaming him for his failures. But next on the list was our hero, and the student couldn’t harm him.

Sergey entered the laboratory and drew a ticket with questions. Before he could reach the desk, the professor called out to him.

— Wait, wait. Look at me. My God, what have they done to you? — the professor asked in surprise.

Sergey’s nose had begun to swell; some blood had dried, but the rest was still slowly flowing, reaching his lips.

— Don’t worry. I just fell on a stone on the way. It’s nothing serious; it will pass soon, — Sergey tried to reassure the teacher, even though anxiety was rising within him.