Chapter 1
She, soaked to the bone, was running along a wide street, dragging her bright magenta suitcase behind her right through the powerful streams of water flowing down the road. It was late, but the streetlights hadn’t been switched on yet, and the only sources of light were the dim glows coming from the apartment buildings of a city wrapped in a gray cocoon. Only occasionally did dark silhouettes under umbrellas rush past the girl, while cars sped along the road, honking at any driver who hesitated even for a second.
The suitcase rattled its wheels over the uneven asphalt, slipping out of her hands, threatening to fall. Her bag slid off her shoulder. The wind blew wet strands of her golden hair into her face. She was angry — at the rain, at the road, at herself.
“Well, never mind…” she thought. “I’ll just make it to the hotel and jump straight into a hot shower.”
And indeed, after five minutes of nonstop battle with the pouring rain, she saw the cherished hotel sign.
“Finally… I made it,” the girl said irritably but with a hint of relief in her voice, heading toward the reception.
“Good evening! Did you make a reservation?” “Yes, under the name Eleonora Khvostova.” “Kh-vo-sto-va… Right, I see it. Second floor, room sixteen. Shall I escort you?” “No, thank you. I’ll go by myself.”
Eleonora took the keys handed to her and headed to her room. Upon entering, she came face-to-face with her reflection in the mirror opposite the door — a young woman with short hair and sun-bleached strands now completely straight from the rain. She was dressed in a dark blue tracksuit, sneakers of the same color, and wore a sports watch on her wrist. Her face was puffy from the long journey, and her expression clearly said, “I could strangle someone right now.”
Throwing her suitcase and bag onto the floor, she pulled rubber slippers out of a side pocket and headed straight for the shower, eager to warm up after the downpour that had caught her on arrival.
