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  / The ISLAND ofCHARON


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		aphilosophical & mystical thriller
		inthePLAYING ANOTHER REALITYseries








		  :
		the winner ofthe following literary competitions and awards:

		* , ,  ¨ۻ. .  -
		OCEAN, WIND, SAND and STARSafterAntoine de Saint-Exupery
		   ʻ,2021
		Open Literary Club Response,2021

		*  ܻ. . . 
		   ANOTHER REALITYafterL. and D. Andreev
		   ,2021
		Creative Center Clouds ofInspiration,2021

		*  Π̻...
		RUNNING on the WAVESafterAlexander S.Grin
		... .   ,
		  ,2021
		the Museums ofA.S.Grin inFeodosia and Stary Krym,
		Moscow City Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,2021

		*  XXI , . .  -
		The BOOK ofthe XXI CENTURY,A. de Saint-Exupery nomination
		and
		*  2021, .  
		CASE 2021, Alfred Hitchcock nomination
		  ,   
		Moscow City Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,
		together with Literary Republic,2021




Π / About theBOOK



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   / The book inRussian only:

ISBN 978-5-0056-0964-9, M.:  , 2022. 224pages.



Amazon, Ozon, Wildberries, Litres, Aliexpress













THE ISLAND OFCHARONis aphilosophical thriller inthe spirit ofA. de Saint-Exupery. The lighthouse ofthat Island is the Wish Tree. Magicians fulfill dreams for acouple oflanterns, but Alice has nightmares about her own drowning, she is haunted bythe shadow ofthe late beekeeper, and astrange child calls her mom. Can the victim and the executioner, inlove with each other, unravel the secret ofthe Islands owner, who lives inthe Cemetery ofMemories, toleave the cursed place forever?



KRYUCHKOVA Alexandra, Honored Writer ofthe Moscow City Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia, interpreter, is alaureate and winner ofinternational literary awards: Heritage, Book ofthe Year, after M. Bulgakov, F. Dostoevsky, A. Saint-Exupery, O. Wilde, E. Poe, . Castaneda, etc. Author ofthe bestseller The Book ofKnowledge inthe Playing Another Reality series. Being astudent ofthe legendary R.A.Mansurova, she took part inexperiments on time, space and hidden human resources.State scholarship holder inthe category prominent figures ofculture and art ofthe Russian Federation. Nominated for Nobel Prize Award in literature 2023.



The book inEnglish only / :

ISBN 978-5-0056-3940-0, M., 2022, 216 pages.



Amazon, Ozon, Wildberries, Litres, Aliexpress




  


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Preface


(Behind the Scenes ofThe Island ofCharon)



InFebruary 2014, suddenly (not byaccident, ofcourse, there are no coincidences!) Ifound myself on the gloomy island ofCamotes, lost inthe Pacific Ocean, where, as it turned out later, the real healers and magicians live.

Iremember me thinking inpitch darkness under the black-book Sky with abillion flickering lanterns, on the shore ofthe Ocean (really Pacific, it stepped on the shore silently and slowly swallowing it, piece bypiece, as adessert for dinner tothe accompaniment ofcicadas), if Iwere Agatha Christie, Iwould write my strongest detective story here, and if Iwere Alfred Hitchcock, Iwould shoot my scariest thriller!

However, then, in2014, only acharming poem knocked on my door(Alunar lantern is hanging on apalm tree), further included inmy Island, which was materialized inthe form ofaphilosophical and mystical story in seven years. Due tothe spirit ofthe mysterious Camotes, firmly settled inmy heart, it sprouted and, gaining strength, branched out, turning into areal Tree ofWishes.

Throughout July 2021, The Island was boiling inmy mind like apotion inan alchemists flask individual ingredients were merging into asingle and magical something. The boiling point reached me on the Full Moon, which happened on Athos on Friday, August 13, 2021, on the eve ofthe Orthodox holiday ofthe Assumption ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated inGreece from the 14


tothe 15


ofAugust (two weeks earlier than inRussia). It was the midnight between Friday the 13


and Saturday the 14


that collided the Forces ofEvil and Good and became fatal for the main characters ofThe Island, Alice and Mark, instead oflove, on the long-awaited first date ahorror irony offate met them.

Yes, Istarted writing The Island ofCharon inthe Greek village ofOuranoupolis, located on the border ofOrthodox Athos, inthe house ofabeekeeper, where Ilived inthe summer (just since 2014, the year ofmy acquaintance with the pagan Camotes) inasmall cell overlooking the tiny island ofAmmouliani, the former possession ofthe Athos monastery ofVatopedi. Thus, two Islands appeared inthe book, the one still owned bythe magicians (Camotes) and the one, until recently, owned bythe monks (Ammouliani). They create aPortal as atemptation for the souls, tearing between their Lower and Higher Selves not only during life, but also inthe afterlife, for the souls, which sooner or later must make their final choice infavor ofthe Forces ofLight or Darkness.

Istarted writing the book without knowing whether Mark would reach the Athos monks, who would meet Alice inthe Other World, which way exactly the fate ofmy characters would be developed inthe Other Reality, whether they would be able toavoid the traps ofthe Astral and leave the ghostly Island

Have Ibeen nursing amurder committed bythe Forces ofDarkness inthe territory ofthe Forces ofLight for all these seven years? It sounds scary. But no, ofcourse, this is amystical journey with elements ofphilosophy and the inside-out detective.

The reason for this is my habit oflooking at Earth and earthly life from the Other Reality, that is, from the Looking Glass, from the Subtle World, located beyond our existence.

Why? you ask. Im interested inlooking at everything here from the Outside, from the Sky, not vice versa. It has been interesting since childhood (we all come from our childhood, and mine one is associated with many deaths), so my novels inthe series Playing Another Reality are an attempt tounderstand earthly life, going beyond its framework and looking at it from the Outside, and at the same time toexplore the Outside.

Thus, inordinary detectives everyone is looking for amurderer and sooner or later finds him, and the reason ofthe murder is usually explained bythe author interms oflogic ofthe human (!) mind, feelings, and emotions (desire for inheritance, revenge, envy, hatred, etc.).

However, inThe Island the identity ofthe murderer does not matter much after all (although, ofcourse, it will be revealed tothe reader), and the real reason ofthe murder is unlikely tobe correctly established even bythe most experienced detective, it is known only tothe Creator.

Why? you ask me again. Because this story is about something else It is about the Eternal and the Transient, the Dual Soul and the Divine Spirit, the thirst for Love and its likeness. It is about the search for the Real among phantoms and illusions. About the right ofchoice and predestination. About the fact that life is aconstant movement forward, and about Hope that cannot be lost, even if everything is already behind because it only seemsso!



Alexandra KRYUCHKOVA,

Honored Writerofthe Moscow ity Organization

ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,

laureate ofinternational literary awards



The magazine Literary Moscow/ Moskva literaturnaya No. 1, 2022.



INBRIEF


  !   ,  .    . Ӡ  ,              셻

For lovers ofnon-standard! It is not business as usual here. This story expands the mind. Everyone has the own island, but alook from an Other Reality at the earthly life ofmere mortals is agreat opportunity topause and reflect on the present and the eternal



    !     ,   ,       .       ,       ,      ,   ,   !

An amazing thriller for ascreen adaptation! It begins with the secrets ofamysterious island, where magicians practice Voodoo, the Wish Tree grows and the Portal toother worlds functions. Then the plot smoothly flows into the story ofamurder, but the identity ofthe murderer becomes not so important inthe end, because life after death goes on, and you choose which way yourself!



-, ,     .      , ࠄ      .  녻

The island is atemptation, an exam that everyone has togo through. The book makes you look at your own life differently, and the second death inthe cemetery ofmemories turns everything inside. Iam impressed bythe ending!



 -!             ,       

It is laconic and philosophically profound! Asmall wave turns into tsunami and plunges you headlong into the Ocean ofthe Divine Light through astory about love and death, inwhich the Creator and his plans on each ofus win



 頖   ! ,       .         ?

The Wish Tree is atrap for ones sole! Iwonder what three wishes Iwould make if Iwere there. Would Ibe able tosolve the riddle ofCharon and get off this damned island?




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		   1112(197198), 2021.
		http://litiz.ru/arch.html
		https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30039




E.Tallenika, Magic captivity


Iam holding inmy hands aphilosophical and mystical thriller The Island ofCharon, which received several literary awards in2021: Ocean, Wind, Sand and Stars after A. de Saint-Exupery (Open Literary Club Response)[4 - The newspaper Poetograd No. 3(399), 2022, article byL. Koroleva.], Another Reality after Leonid and Daniil Andreev (Creative Center Clouds ofInspiration)[5 - The newspaper Literary News (Literaturnye Izvestia) No. 3(201), 2022, article byS. Bersenev], Running on the Waves after A. S.Grin (Moscow City Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia together with the Museums ofA.S.Grin inFeodosia and Stary Krym), Case No. 2021after Alfred Hitchcock and The Book ofthe XXI century inthe nomination Wings after A. de Saint-Exupery (Moscow City Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia together with Non-commercial Partnership Literary Republic)[6 - The newspaper Literary News / (Literaturnye Izvestia) No. 1112(197198), 2021, The results ofthe literary awards 2021 bythe press-secretary ofthe Moscow State Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia, https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30044]. However, Ive studied some reviews todecide whether toread it ornot.

And Ibegin reading the book tothe music from Christopher Nolans film Interstellar, which appears almost out ofnowhere and sounds like arefrain on that very Island. Irecreate the reality ofevents, because its tothis music that the reader is about tolearn how tender the embrace ofeven the most horrible death canbe.

Everyone has their own island here

The music ofthe stars and planets places me tothe space-time tunnel Island Island, one ofthem is inthe Sun Book, and the other one is inthe Moon Book. Christopher Nolan with his film crew beneath my windows ofthe hotel on Tatari Street inTallinn, 2019, immediately came up tomy mind. Iwas watching the process ofmaking his new film Tenet from the inside.

Nolan was focused and serious. He gave the command tostart.

And Isee Alexandra writing her Island:

The Creator, the Ocean, the Sky, the Wish Tree, the Moon Book and the Sun Book

Yes, thats right, like that with acapital letter and nothing else.

And this is not an artistic technique, but the essence ofthe authors values the system ofcoordinates ofher Universe, inwhich the main word Love turns out tobe so impossibly huge and holy that it becomes unpronounceable!

However, it is Love that permeates everything and all around: arandomly met person without anatomical signs, and the Girl looking for her mother inthe Ocean, and the Boy, her little prince, asking for alantern not for himself, but for the Girl, because on this Island every wish can be fulfilled bythe Wish Tree, and even the barefoot Old Man, who has nothing left but black birds and other peoples memories, the fact that touches me tothe core

This fragile, not too sociable girl-woman with Tsvetaevas haircut, who frankly informs that all those, who has sunk into her soul, lie without moving amuscle, and they are YOU yourself (!), manages toachieve byan apparently simple but obviously magical narration ahail ofmy tears!

It is incomprehensible, but Alexandra Kryuchkova, who has already grown inher literary work tothe level ofphilosophical Thought, penetrating into the depths ofthe Universe and leading us, readers, step bystep along the Stairway tothe Sky with each ofher books, remains inher soul anaive child, still discovering Love and Peace, Good and Evil, and surprising us with the purity and sincerity ofthe pronounced, IWANT!

And METOO!

Iwant tovisit this Island,too!

The Island with no electricity, Internet, air conditioning, where our consciousness does not care if something happens only inthoughts or inreality, because the reaction ofthe body is always the same.

The Island, where the water from the Lake ofLovers is not usual, not mineral, but dead and not sparkling, because there is simply no other water there, however, you cannot drown insuch water, because you can breathe init!

The Island, where aPhilippine fisherman with Athos rosary hacks and glitches my time as if it could have any meaning on the Island ofMagicians, because it is always the Full Moon on the clock, and this Time is the best (!), although only for catching Fish with along nose and shamanic treats, such as blood with milk (!), the potion with alimited shelf life; the main thing is not tofall for the bait ofblack magicians, who put the spirit ofadead person into abewitchedone

Tosail away!

Tosail away from the world where its possible todestroy an ancient Gothic church for the sake ofacoal mining, tosuicidedue tounpaid bank interest on abusiness loan, and it is not considered shameful tosteal ideas if it were someone elses bag, then yes otherwise

Tosail away tothe Island, where ones dreams are memories, from which Iwould finally find out whywe were subconsciously so afraid oflosing each other even before meeting inanew quality, that we put off all conversations for later

Tothe Island, where youll hardly be able toanswer immediately the question ofthe Stargazer, Do you really believe that you ended up here byaccident?But youll have an opportunity tothink about the meaning ofyour life, although only until the high tide, creeping as quiet (!) water, like aloving monster, becauseThe Ocean comes here silently.

Tothe Island, from which it is so difficult todisappear, becauseeverybody has their own ferry, but it has the right never tocome for you, because it does not have any schedule, or rather, it depends solely onyou.

Tothe Island, where you can kill only your own selfish Self, and no theft is possible, because there is nothing tosteal there, the most valuable thing is the light ofalantern, and it is exclusively YOURS

Ofcourse, both the Island itself and its main characters, existing inreality, have their own beautiful names, but, as for me personally, they are no longer so important, because they would be displaced from memory byan amazing feeling offreedom (!) from the present, the past and the future, which Igot while sitting, wrapped my legs inaplaid or rather, incaptivity yes, inthe magic captivity ofAlexandra Kryuchkovas prose.



Elena TALLENIKA,

member ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,

laureate ofinternational literary awards








The newspaper Literary News (Literaturnye Izvestia)

No. 1112(197198), 2021.

http://litiz.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30039




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  3(399), 2022.

http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30502




L.Koroleva, Ocean, wind, sand and stars


Oh sea, sea, sea, islands

The books ofAlexander Grin inspired and continue toinspire many poets and writers, and almost every girl dreams ofseeing the Scarlet Sails[7 - The most famous novel ofAlexander Grin is called Scarlet Sails. The main character, named Assol, lives inaseaside village and believes that one day aship with scarletsails will come totheir pier, and the captain ofthe ship, named Gray, will marryher.] on the horizon! The main character ofThe Island is not an exception, but, unfortunately, it doesnt often happen inreality that all girls whose fate is initially similar toAssol meet the real Gray, even if he calls himself bythis name, being the captain ofaship infact.

The Island ofCharon is atemptation, an exam that each ofus has togo through. InThe Island (as well as inATrap for aThought-Form) Alexandra Kryuchkova is filigree-laconic, much remains behind the scenes, being hidden as the real treasure between the lines. The reader feels an understatement that draws him further and further toexplore The Island insearch ofanswers and clues tothe next charades until inthe end he is left alone with himself, or rather, with his Spirit

It must be said that the author ofThe Island ofCharon, despite the difficult fate, or, perhaps, thanks toit, has an iron will and an extraordinary strength ofthe Spirit, and she doesnt only write books, but she has been active inthe field ofliterature for more than 15years: holds literary evenings and seminars for contemporary poets and writers, organizes collective projects, including foreign ones, helps new authors on their way torecognition, repeatedly serves on the jury.<>

Since the Open Literature Club Response always welcomes and encourages active members ofthe club, Alexandra got many diplomas ofour Club for her contribution tothe development ofliterature and the preservation ofcultural traditions, for faithful service toliterature and achievements inthe field ofpoetry and prose, for asignificant contribution tothe development ofRussian-Hungarian and other foreign relations inthe field ofliterature and culture, for asignificant contribution tothe development ofbook publishing and active creative and organizational activities within the framework ofthe Year ofLiterature inthe Russian Federation,etc.

However, one ofthe distinguishing features ofAlexandra Kryuchkovas prose, despite her own positive image inliterary circles, is her obvious dislike ofpositive heroes. So, we find out inThe Island that the main character, on behalf ofwhich the narrative is conducted, although not awitch, is far from being asaint. Inan utterly frank conversation with the reader, leafing through her memories and dreams, Alexandra (because all her prose is autobiographical, as she often mentioned at literary evenings) shows us life as it is without embellishing it and, this is important, without judging anyone. Although, inmy opinion, the most important thing is not even that. The author takes the reader byhand and leads him away from the Darkness intothe Ocean ofthe Divine Lighttocleanse the soul ofeverythinglower and selfish, toseparate the wheat from the chaff, so that inthe endThe Spirit would absorb worthy tobe apart ofthe Creator.

The book makes you look at your own life differently and understand yourself, recognize your Higher and Lower Selves. Iwas personally impressed bythe unexpected ending, the second death inthe Cemetery ofMemories turns everything inside. The sea poems[8 - Arepublished only inthe original Russian edition.] inthe book as well as the miniature The Girl and the Sea, starting the novel, are successfully built into this bright but sad fairy tale, adding refinement tothe narrative and allowing the reader tofeel the soul ofthe main character. These works were presented byKryuchkova tothe competition after Alexander Grin Running on the Waves 2021, organized bythe Moscow City Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia together with the MBUK Feodosia Literary and Memorial Museum ofA. S.Grin and the House-Museum ofA. S.Grin inthe town ofStary rym (Republic ofCrimea). According tothe decision ofthe jury, Alexandra was declared the winner ofthe competition, and this is no coincidence, because her Island is one ofthe few books that you can read injust aday, getting food for your mind for many years.

It should be noted that Alexandra Kryuchkova is atrue master ofwords, whose prose is not only metaphysical and mystical but also poetic. She repeatedly became the winner and laureate ofliterary competitions and awards, including those ofthe Open Literary Club. So, the novel Guardian Angel received the Silver Angel award 2015organized inhonor ofFrancoise Sagan, the novel Confessions ofaGhost, inmy opinion, close toThe Island ofCharon inspirit, got The Creator ofthe Worlds award 2019after Daniil Andreev, and her bestseller The Book ofSecret Knowledge (circulation exceeded 10,000copies) became the winner ofthe Magical Realism ofthe XXI century competition after Carlos Castaneda and George Gurdjieff in2020.

However, as for me, The Island ofCharon is more associated with Exupery, therefore, on behalf ofthe Open Literary Club Response, Iam pleased toannounce Alexandra Kryuchkova the laureate ofthe literary award Ocean, wind, sand and stars 2021after Antoine de Saint-Exupery!

Lyudmila KOROLEVA,

member ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,

Head ofthe Open Literary Club Response,laureate ofliterary awards




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		  4(400), 2022.
		http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html
		https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30662




V.Shiltzyn, The Little Princes Rose ofthe Universe


If it were possible toclassify literature, then The Island ofCharon byAlexandra Kryuchkova would be quite logical toput on the same shelf with The Little Prince byAntoine de Saint-Exupery. The reverent attitude tothe miracle ofbeing and the models ofinterconnections, built from internal causes and stretched throughout the entire Universe, look similar inthese authors, despite the difference intheir initial circumstances and diametrically opposite endings.

Those critics who compare the prose ofAlexandra Kryuchkova with Daniil Andreev are also right. The multitude ofthe worlds and parallel universes reflected inhis Rose ofthe World could as well include the constructions found inher novel Confessions ofaGhost and inthe story The Island ofCharon. The power oflogical dependencies, filigreed byKryuchkova, makes these works no less plausible than the philosophical bestseller ofthe famous mystic.

Alexandra Kryuchkovas prose built an invisible bridge between two previously unconnected authors ofthe past. The Little Prince ofExupery took care ofthe rose, and the universal phenomenon ofDaniil Andreev also turned out tobe arose, but for him it was already the Rose ofthe World. Taking up the relay race ofgenerations, Alexandra Kryuchkova invisibly and delicately takes care ofthe very same rose.



Vadim SHILTZYN,

member ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,

laureate ofliterary awards








The newspaper Poetograd No. 4(400), 2022.

http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30662




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   3(201), 2022.

http://litiz.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30735




S.Bersenev, Another Reality


(Alexandra Kryuchkova revealed the secret ofCharon)



Iam familiar with the work ofthe famous Moscow writer Alexandra Kryuchkova not byhearsay. Back in2012, Iwas lucky enough tobe present at her personal literary evening at the House ofthe Near Abroad byA. Solzhenitsyn at Taganka, where she looked great intwo capacities at once: as apoet and as asongwriter. Her performance inspired me so much that Iwrote one ofmy most significant poems Isay you hello!, quoted inthe epigraph Alexandras words. Later, inJanuary 2017, at the same House took place apresentation ofthe grandiose film Holy Russia byA. Kulyamin (based on the book Holy Russia. Voices ofRussian poets), which features the heartfelt poems ofA. Kryuchkova as well.

And now, afew years later, when, being the chairman ofthe jury and head ofthe Creative Center Clouds ofInspiration, Igot acquainted with her mystical thriller The Island ofCharon, submitted tothe literary competition Another Reality organized inhonor ofmystical writers Leonid and Daniil Andreev, Alexandra Kryuchkova revealed herself tome inyet another capacity as adeep and thoughtful prose writer.

The very title ofthe book makes it clear that we are not going tohave atrivial turning over ofmundane platitudes, but ajourney into painstaking philosophical reflections. From the first pages, we are immersed inthat very Another Reality, where the earthly life and death ofthe main character are closely interconnected with invisible otherworldly Forces ofDarkness and Light, and the plot unfolds on amysterious island, whereeverything is wrong, since it is located inthe Astral World. But does an afterlife exist inprinciple? And if so, how is that World organized? What is it the judgment ofasoul? What price does each ofus have topay for our deeds?

Unresolved tasks and unfinished works, mistakes made during life and affection for earthly things, and even unfulfilled dreams lead the soul tothe island, whose lighthouse is the Wish Tree, butThe Wish Tree is atrap

And it is no coincidence that the owner ofthe Island lives inahouse inthe Cemetery ofMemories the reminiscences ofdear tothe heart people are haunting the main character.

Can the described byAlexandra Kryuchkova inThe Island be exactly like this inreality? We dont know, but surely, each ofus, approaching the last line, asks the same questions, towhich the main character is looking for and finds answers. The author openly expresses her opinion on the possibility ofcognition the Truth inadialogue with Charon.

everything that surrounds you is an illusion. Only those who can refuse it will discover the Truth.

But the only way tounderstand completely whats going on here is togo beyond whats going on. So, theoretically, everyone who is here now needs toleave the Astral World?

Correct. The character ofthe movie will not see the whole movie until he moves himself inthe auditorium.

Unlike most incoherent and far-fetched fantasy, The Island, emerged at the intersection ofgenres (love story, detective, mysticism and philosophy), keeps the reader insuspense from the first tothe last page. The search for mutual love leads tothe investigation ofones murder inthe spirit ofAlfred Hitchcocks thrillers and ends with unraveling ofCharons secret torealize the transition ofthe soul tothe next step ofthe endless staircase totheSky.

Inmy opinion, one ofthe main goals ofthe book is toconvey tothe reader the importance oftaking responsibility for his own deeds, since each person almost always has the freedom ofchoice,

But pay attention tothe fact that the Creator doesnt act against your will and never deprives anyone ofthe right tochoose.

as well as the importance offorgiveness, because the main character accepts the Creators plan for her own death and eventually forgives her murderer.

Idont wish you any harm You are right. It was necessary for some reason. Goodbye

There is nothing superfluous inthe book. All the events and dialogues ofthe characters are carefully verified and thought out. There is no artificially built-in abstruse, The Island ofCharon is easy toread, but at the same time it is aserious work that deserves attention no less than similar philosophical works inthe field ofso-called Another Reality, from The Little Prince byAntoine de Saint-Exupery toThe Rose ofthe World byDaniil Andreev.

According tothe decision ofthe jury ofthe Creative Center Clouds ofInspiration, Alexandra Kryuchkova was announced the winner ofthe Another Reality 2021competition after Leonid and Daniil Andreev. We wish Alexandra inexhaustible creative inspiration and new victories on the Literary Olympus!



Sergei BERSENEV,

Honored Writerofthe Moscow City Organization

ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia, poet,

Head ofthe Creative CenterClouds ofInspiration



The newspaper Literary News (Literaturnye Izvestia)

No. 3(201), 2022.

http://litiz.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30735




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  4(400), 2022.

http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30662




B.Mikhin, Adetective fairy tale


You shouldnt be sure ofanything, becauseeveryone has their own island here, although not always it is an island, and not everywhere

Then, what is The Island byAlexandra Kryuchkova?

Is it afairy tale for adults? Yes, sure. It is full ofromance and sadness ofAntoine de Saint-Exupery and ofstanding on the edge from MaxFry.

Is it amystery detective? Undoubtedly. We see the classic dramaturgical slide, athree-act scheme, and it keeps you insuspense till theend.

Is it alove story? Its also true. The emotions hidden beneath the outward calmness ofthe main character are going wild! Until the last breath and even after it, she is looking for earthly love and cognizes reality (well, or non-reality, as you like) inanot rational, not linearway.

The Island ofCharon byAlexandra Kryuchkova is variegated and multifaceted, but thats what makes it so remarkable! Besides, the brightest creative successes usually happen somewhere at the junction, and the genius manifests itself out of standards, going beyond the statistical average.

However, you shouldnt be sure ofanything, because

everyone has their own island here!



Boris MIKHIN,

member ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,

laureate ofliterary awards








The newspaper Poetograd No. 4(400), 2022.

http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30662




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		  4(400), 2022.
		http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html
		https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30662




I.Antonova, The GhostShip


Iread The Island ofCharon byAlexandra Kryuchkova inone breath. Iam shocked. Inmy opinion, it is amasterpiece! Ihavent read anything like this before. It is amodern parable with adeep philosophical meaning, hidden behind atransparent, well-balanced form. The author offers her own concept ofimmortality.

The main characters have something incommon with the characters ofAlexander Grin, with the little prince ofAntoine de Saint-Exupery and with the sad mermaid ofHans Christian Andersen. Assol can be guessed inthe protagonists features, although, instead ofthe happy ScarletSails[10 - *The most famous novel ofAlexander Grin is called ScarletSails. The main character, named Assol, lives inaseaside village and believes that one day aship with scarletsails will come totheir pier, and the captain ofthe ship, named Gray, will marryher.], she is destined tomeet the Ship full ofGhosts.

The boundaries between reality and fantasy are so blurred that the plot twists and turns are impossible topredict! There are no random details inthe book, they are all deeply symbolic, and the Greek myths, passed through the heart, gain asecond life. Poems are harmoniously interspersed inprose, giving the story aspecial intimacy[11 - Poems arepresent inthe original. There is only one ofthem included bythe author into English version ofthe book.]. However, the entire text is pure poetry! It seems that amagical film about the worlds ofwater and sky, love and death is unfolding before your eyes.

Ofcourse, Kryuchkovas prose deserves the highest praise. Surely, it will be translated into many languages and brilliantly filmed!



Irina ANTONOVA,

member ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia,

laureate ofliterary awards



The newspaper Poetograd No. 4(400), 2022.

http://www.poetograd.ru/arch.html

https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30662









 / Dedication


		     !
		Idedicate my Islandtoevery reader!








		/ As well asto:
		    ,
		my son Andrey and our cat Josephine,

		 / the prototypes:
		,  ,
		Boris, Grigory and Sergey,

		   / my Greek friends:
		   ,
		    ,
		Dimitra Drosinos and her husband Dimitris,
		Nikos Lageris, the beekeeper, and his wife Nikoletta Firai,

		  / my beloved:
		 ,  
		   ,   ,
		    ,
		Ouranoupolis, avillageon the borderof
		Mount Athos, Greece, the real Paradise on Earth,
		where Iwrote this book,

		 / the Islands:
		 (), Ammouliani, Greece,
		 (), Camotes, the Philippines

		
		with thanks




  / The ISLAND ofCHARON







   ,  ,     셻(. 20:1314)



Then the sea gave up the dead that were init, and each one was judged according tohis works (Rev. 20:1314)



     :     腻(. 20:6)



Blessed and holy is he who has part inthe first resurrection: over them the second death has no power (Rev. 20:6)



   頖     ,    ,     ,     ,     养



Do not pity the victims and do not condemn the executioners, because they dont exist on Earth bythemselves, they unmistakably calculate each other, even being inopposite parts ofthe planet, and go towards each other all their lives tofulfill the destined for them from Above



The booktrailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r19bfyosC9o (https://ridero.ru/link/-KjAdUjXhGi7xB)




.   / PROLOGUE. The VICTIM and the EXECUTIONER





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0.1.The Girl and theSea


mmouliani island[14 - Ammouliani is the only inhabited island ofC. Located near the peninsula ofAthos (Aion-Oros), until 1922it belonged tothe monasteries ofthe Holy Mountain. It was electrified in1973. It has ferry service with the villages ofTrypiti and Ouranoupolis. The population is about 540people, the area is 4.5square kilometers.], Greece


She used tosit for along time bythe Sea at sunset, the Girl inapink dress. Lost inthoughts about something, she was gazing into the Sky. There was aMysterious Land inthe clouds, where winged people lived. Lilac castles beckoned her tothem, intheir quaint gardens fabulous flowers were fragrant and magical birds were singing. The wind carried unusual aromas and echoes ofenchanting melodies tothe Girl. And she also saw familiar faces there, they smiled and called the Girl totheir Heavenly Country, tothe City ofthe Sun. She dreamed ofgetting tothem, but did not know how todo it, because she had no wings.

The Sun was setting into the Sea. Warm waves caressed her legs, singing aquiet kind song that she had heard from her mother when she was still ababy. The Girl looked around, but there was no one on the shore, and she felt completely lonely. The gloomy Rocks did not understand her, because they couldnt feel anything, however, that was the reason they would never die. The Rocks, as usual, were only watching silently the picture at sunset: the Girl and theSea.

The Sun was approaching the horizon. The waves were whispering louder and louder. The Magic Country floated away, losing its outlines. The Girl was standing bythe Sea, and her tears fell onto the waves, and the Sea became salty

The seagulls that flew tothe seashore inthe evening did not find anyone there. The Sun sank behind the horizon, and the Night came. Somewhere far away inthe Sky, the seagulls noticed the outlines ofan unknown City. They wondered, what kind ofCity it was, being situated not on Earth, but inthe Sky. They had never seen such cities before! And the two most curious seagulls decided tomake aflight tothe mysterious City, but they had not enough strength toreachit.

And the Girl disappeared. The Rocks no longer saw her there, on the seashore, at sunset. Only the book left bythe Girl on the coastal stone reminded them ofher existence

Hmmm Iclosed the book and put it aside. The miniature was written byme at the age oftwelve, but sometimes Iwas drawn toread it again.








Every time after returning toreality it seemed tome that Iremained the little Assol[15 - Protagonist ofthe famous book ofAlexander Grin ScarletSails. Assol lives inaseaside village and believes that one day aship with scarletsails will come totheir pier, and the captain ofthe ship, named Gray, will marryher.], who still didnt lose hopefor

Iwas waiting for his letter Iconstantly visited my Internet page tocheck if he had looked at my last post tohim

Yes, yes, yes At first completely unconsciously and then purposefully, Ibegan topost more and more expressive pictures, signing them briefly, but with ahidden meaning

My hands were trembling, Iwas closing my eyes at seeing his name inthe list ofviewers oh, he hadnt given me even alike! but Iwas jumping, Isquealed, You have not forgotten me! You want me! Well, tell me you want me, too!!!

That day Imade apost with aphoto oftwo waves running towards each other, and Isigned it, Meet?!And

He commented the photo, answering me inaprivate chat, Yes.

These three letters made me scream at the whole Universe! Yes, Iscreamed, Iwant you, too!, but after thinking alittle, Iwrote,

Iwant that, too.

What do you want?

tosee you

It was madness! Iunderstood everything, but appealing toreason at such moments was completely useless! Ofcourse, he was not the captain ofthe ship ScarletSails, and Imostly felt us the main characters ofthe movie Titanic.

Werent you attracted bybad boys/girls?! And did you think at such moments that your Titanic was already doomed?! Neither did I, being ready todrown sometime later not then









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0.2. The Isle ofBlack Magicians


Camotes[17 - The Camotes Islands is agroup oftiny islands inthe Philippine archipelago. If you prefer solitude & are ready tosacrifice the benefits ofcivilization, youll enjoy the paradise, lost among tropical palm trees & sandy beaches.], The Pacific Ocean



Water, water, all around is water, and apanic horror seizes me. Itry tofloat tothe surface, but for some reason Icant, and Iam suffocating!

He woke me up. Iopened my eyes and saw before me only the boundless starrySky. It instantly got dark on that Island.

The Ocean comes here silently, Alex said gloomily and held out his hand tome.

Igot up from the white sand, just alittle bit more and the hide tide would have swallowedme. Yes, that wild Island ofhealers and black magicians was really very strange. Completely unlike Paradise, despite the divine names ofthe bays and the Internet descriptions, Camotes was scaring, but at the same time attracting. You couldnt see or hear the locals, and it was suspiciously quiet ingeneral. There were neither crowds oftourists on the shore, nor waves inthe Ocean. Byevening, apart ofthe Island used togo under water silently so that from the shore tothe rock with astaircase, connecting the Ocean with the strawy hotel, as my companion had christened it, one could get only byswimming.

Wait! Ishouted toAlex, who was moving away into the distance.

He turned around. Icaught up with him, he took my hand, and we slowly wandered along the Ocean tothe beach cafe ofalocal savage.

Someday Iwill come back here, Isaid dreamily, sitting down at awooden table byashabby umbrella.

Crazy girl! What do you plan todo here? What the hell is this Paradise? No civilization! Aboriginal savages only! There is even no restaurant, and the only hotel doesnt accept cards! If Ihad known where the ferry would take us, Iwould never have gone! You got me on an adventure! And now we have nothing but wait for the ferry back, which has no schedule at all! If it wants, it sails, but if it doesnt?

However, Ireally like it here! This Isle is full ofmagic! There is some hidden secret init Iwould be pleased toreveal.

The magic theurgy is, at best, afairy tale for adults, and at worst its quackery! And dont tell me that you believe inthe afterlife!

And you really dont? Ichuckled.

Ahuman being, Alice, is bones and meat! Everything else is from the evil one!




I. / The FISHERMAN





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1.1. Fishingnets


many years later


Water, water, all around is water, and apanic horror seizes me. Itry tofloat up tothe surface, but for some reason Icant, and Iam suffocating!



He woke me up. Iopened my eyes and saw before me only the boundless starrySky.

It instantly got dark on that Island.

The Ocean comes here silently, said the man grimly and held out his hand tome.

Igot up from the white sand, just alittle bit more and the hide tide would have swallowedme.

Besides

Whats this? Brrr! Whoo! What anightmare! The Ocean threw a fishing net on me?!

Itwitched and squeamishly threw itoff.

Hey! Ishouted tothe man, who was moving away into the distance.

He turned around. Iran up tohimand

Sorry! It seemed tome

He smiled. It was astrange feeling that Id seen him somewhere before. Probably Afamiliar face? Or even alook? Otherwise, nothing special: tall, thin, black-eyed without distinctive features. Inalight shirt and blue shorts, with rosaries on his wrists and apirate bandana on his head

Do you speak English? Iasked the stranger, and he nodded.

We slowly wandered along the Ocean tothe beach cafe.

Iwas on this Isle once upon atime, Isaid. Ihappened here accidentally, although there are no accidents inlife. Iwent on vacation toCebu, met acompatriot, he spent winters there, and we decided totake awalk around the neighborhood. We got on the ferry. We didnt even know where it was sailing us. But Iliked Camotes. There is some mystery inthis Island!

Have you been dreaming ofcoming back for all your life?

Yes, but not for all my life.

So, the man decided not tocome back, didnt he? Thats why youre sad here all alone. Did you love him?

No, we had no affair, although, oddly enough, he felt something for me inhis soul, Ismiled. But did he have asoul? Its abig question. He reminded me ofthe main character ofthe Christmas Carol byCharlesDickens.

Ihavent readit.

An old man, an avid atheist and former financier. Many people called him asecret millionaire. He considered himself abrave Robinson, because after retirement he leased acool apartment inthe center ofour city, while traveling abroad around Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Bali, Philippines and so on. He aspired tofemale companionship. Ithink he felt very lonely. His parents had died long ago, hed got adivorce, his only daughter had emigrated toItaly. He certainly lacked love, care and attention. Perhaps, because ofthe internal conflict Iwant to, but for my age Icant, he became so angry and intolerant towards the opinions ofothers. Everyone around annoyed him, everything went wrong. Bythe way, his name was Alex. And whats your name?

The man stopped and looked into my eyes.

Yanis. And yours?

For some reason, his gaze made me feel uneasy.

Alice. Is your name aGreek one? Iasked, and Yanis nodded smiling, and Isupposed, So, you moved here from Greece, didnt you?

Yes

Ioften spent my holidays inGreece, on the islands. Its your cafe on the beach, isntit?

Yanis nodded again and offered tocome infor abite toeat. Isat down at atable, he brought me his fish menu.

Are you afisher or just buying fish inthe market?

Ifish myself, Yanis grinned.

So, was it your net that the Ocean threw over me!? Ilaughed.

Correct! Iset up nets around the Island every night!

Isnt the net too big for fishes? Do you catch mermaids? Ijoked and thought that Iwasnt hungry. Would you bring me some shrimp totry?

Yanis nodded again, and at the same moment Iheard childrens sobs.









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1.2. The Girl who was looking for her mother


Iturned around and noticed, as if from nowhere, adark-haired small girl ofabout five inatranslucent pink dress appeared on the shore. She looked out tothe Ocean, but no one was nearher.

MA-MA-aaaa!!! her heart-rending scream rangout.

Ilooked at Yanis. His face seemed toget darkened, but he didnt even move.

Ijumped up from the table and ran tothe Girl.

Hey! Ihugged her bythe shoulders. Whats happened?

The Girl sobbed, repeating just one word Mom!, but paying no attention tome.

Whats about your mom? Iasked. Where is she? Inthe Ocean? Whats your name?

The Girl either did not understand, or did not hear me, she continued tosob. And the Ocean was still quiet and completely empty. Not asoul. Neither init, nor on the shore. Except us, ofcourse.

Ireturned tothe Yanis cafe, but he had disappeared, apparently, he had left for shrimps.

The Ocean had already flooded part ofthe shore, and Irushed tothe stairs byswimming. Iclimbed up the rock, ran tothe reception ofthe strawy hotel and rang the bell, but no one showedup.

Hey! Iscreamed. Is anybody here? Help! Theres asmall girl on the shore! Shes lost her mother!

But an ominous silence was rising inanswer.

Iran back tothe stairs.

Poor Girl! And what if she became food for fishes inthis Pacific from all points ofview Ocean after her mother?! God forbid!

However, when Igot out ofwater toapiece ofthe not yet flooded shore, the Girl was nowhere tobe seen

Shocked, Istood on the shore and looked into the Ocean. It continued toswallow the Island silently, when the voice came suddenly from right behindme.

Shrimps?

The Girl Iwhispered indespair.

Shell be back!

Yanis gently touched my hand and led me away.

***


		  
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		The Mount grays because ofgrief
		The curse ofwitch came true distress!
		The Rocks were talking with Belief
		And holding Fairy byher dress.

		Insoot her air castle, yard
		The Fairy sighed, she didntcry:
		Mama, remind the Heaven guard
		Tocome for me before Idie!

		The Wind was whispering withash,
		The Night was reaching for asong,
		Goodbye, the Sun! On Earth oftrash
		The Time was breathing clearly wrong!

		The stolen Fairy was all right,
		But gloomy Rocks were sad and silent,
		Some Visions cannot sleep at night,
		The Sorrow wanders through the Island!

		The clouds covered all the slaves,
		The Sky was crying being fault,
		And tears were falling on the waves
		Tomake the Sea wake up from salt.









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1.3. The Boy who asked for aLantern


By10:00p.m.Ibecame definitely alive. Firstly, the 12-hour time difference between the Island and my country affected. Secondly, during the day it was incredibly hot there and absolutely unbearable tostay out on theSun.

It seemed that life on the Island had not changed at all over the years, as well as the strawy hotel, consisting ofsmall guest houses, inone ofwhich Ihad spent the night waiting for the ferry toCebu during my previous visit. But that time, following Alex, Iwas ready tocall the guest house ahut.

Thatched roof, bare walls, asmall window, atable with acandlestick, atiny bed and anarrow wardrobe Ihad noticed even then there were no light bulbs inthe lamps, and so far no one guessed toinsert them!

As before, there was no tap for hot water inthe shower, although the cold water got warmed naturally under the scorching Sun insome storage tanks outside the house.

And what tosay about air conditioners! Ifound only an ancient fan inthe room, but the electricity inthe network had disappeared somewhere.

And more! Idouble-checked, including the reception, there was still no Internet there.

However, perhaps the charm ofthe lost inthe Ocean Island, the riddle ofwhich Ihad tosolve, was precisely insuch wildness and complete isolation from civilization

Planning my vacation, Idecided toexplore Camotes thoroughly, because the first time we had had toescape from the Island the very next morning for having no cash. Bythe way, no cards were still acceptable there.

Istepped out ofthe hut into the deep darkness and wandered towards the light ofatorch burning at the reception like an eternal flame.

Infact, several torches were always available there so that any tourist could take one out if felt like walking around the Island at night.

Igot the opportunity tolight my path and stepped out the gates toadirty road, on both sides ofwhich long-legged palm trees towered, piercing the black-bookSky.

Turning tothe left, Iwalked towards the pier, getting used tothe darkness. Suddenly aboy jumped out ofunknown tome species ofthe tropical thickets. He seemed tobe about seven years old and looked like ahomeless grimy beggar, easily found along the streets ofbig cities. The Boy grabbed my hand and began tobeg, shouting out the same word inalmost all languages ofthe world. And that wordwas

Lantern!

Understanding nothing, Itook acouple ofcoins out ofmy pocket and handed them totheBoy.

However, tomy greatest surprise, having seen the coins, the beggar squeamishly threw them into the thickets, twisted his finger at his temple giggling, and then he shouted out again,

LANTERN!!!









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1.4. The Old Man with black birds


Ifelt uneasy, but at the same moment Iheard someones steps from the left. Ahunched male figure was approaching us from the pier side, and soon abarefoot, gray-haired Old Man inlinen clothes, with awooden walking stick inone hand and acage with black birds inthe other, stopped nearby.

Good evening, Isaid tobreak the oppressive silence. Can Ihelp you somehow?

The Old Man chuckled and continued toscan me, and the Boy giggled again.

Suddenly, awoman, apparently the boys mother, appeared out ofnowhere. She bowed deeply tothe Old Man, muttered something inthe local dialect, then grabbed her son bythe arm, and they instantly disappeared into the thickets.

Ifelt completely uneasy and stood as if paralyzed. Icould not move infear.

What do you want, my dear Soul? the Old Man asked distinctly, inan authoritative voice.

My heart began tobeat wildly.

The disastrous chaos reigned inmy head, but for some reason Ithought about the Fisherman. Iwanted Yanis toappear right next tome, but Ikept silent.

The Old Man, realizing that he was unlikely towait for my answer, turned around and hobbled further. Ilooked after him, still unable torecover, as someones hand fell on my shoulder, and Iscreamed insurprise.

Alice? Iheard afamiliar voice, turned back and saw Yanis.

He graciously escorted me home, said goodbye and disappeared.









II. ̨ / DEAD WATER





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2.1. The Ocean comes silently







Water all around me is water Icant float up Ihave no strengthto



Damn! This dream has already torturedme!



Ivaguely remembered that always inthat dream, inits last frame, Isaw amans face, although wakingup Icouldnt restore it inmy memory.

Iwoke up on the Ocean shore just intime. High tide. Still, it was strange, there were no waves at all there, and the Sun used tofall into the water instantly, giving way toMrs. Warlock, named Night.

Isat down at atable inYanis cafe.

How are you, Alice? he asked. Have you got enough sleep?

Yes, thank you. Its good you walked me home at night. Tobe honest, Iwas alittle bit scary. Do black magicians really live here?

Yes, all kind ofsorcerers, and stargazers, and healers, and alchemists Its easier totell who is not here! Yanis chuckled.

And that Old Man with black birds Who ishe?

The owner ofthe Island, Yanis replied reluctantly.

The owner?! Iwould have never thought! Just like abeggar Does he have avilla here? Or is he content with ahut inyour Paradise, too?

He lives inthe cemetery, Yanis replied without showing any emotion.

Where?! Yanis, youre kidding! Although on the Island ofblack magic, there is probably no way toexist without black humor Well, but what about sightseeing here? Tell me, you do know Camotes better thanme.

It depends on what you want tosee.

Does everyone see ones own? Ilaughed.

Why not! However, like everywhere else. What does your tender soul prefer for dinner today? Shrimps, mussels or?

No, no Only coffee with milk, please!

Yanis left and was back acouple ofminutes later with acup ofcappuccino and aglass ofwater, and Idecided tocontinue our sweet talk.

How long have you been here, Yanis?

Time is arelative concept, he answered evasively. It depends on the way you measureit.

So, what would you recommend me tosee?

Everything! Yanis smiled.

Suddenly, someone pulled my arm. Iturned around and saw the yesterdays Boy! The one who looked like abeggar. He dived into my soul with aplaintive look, held out his hand and said the cherished word LANTERN!

Ilooked at Yanis. He said something inan unknown language tothe Boy, and the Boy went away.

But why lantern?! Iexclaimed, because such astrange request had sent my mind into astupor.

You shouldnt be surprised at anything here, on Camotes, Yanis winked me. This Island is not like ordinary ones!

Ifinished my coffee, thanked Yanis, left atip and decided totake awalk.









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2.2. AScary Market


That evening, instead ofgoing back tothe hotel, Iwent far along the path that started immediately after Yanis cafe and, apparently, led tothe village oflocal residents.

The lights ofcandles and torches flickered inthe darkness, children were rushing back and forth, people inthe houses were talking loudly and even singing something. Inoticed that many ofthe natives Imet along the path were walking with baskets full ofall sorts ofthings, as if they were returning home from the market. And indeed, behind the village, some market rows were placed

Iwas glad tohave change inmy pocket and decided totreat myself buying something delicious.

However, inthe first shop, towhich the queue lined up, Ifound only water.

Do you want totry? the seller asked me kindly.

Is it from your Island? Mineral? Sparkling water?

From our Lake! the salesman clarified with pride. But its neither mineral nor sparkling. It is just dead! Pure dead water without gaz!

Dead water?! Irecoiled with athought inmy mind, One more joker?

Have atry! insisted the seller and handed me aglass.

Oh, no, thank you! Next time! Ismiled for the sake ofdecency and proceeded further.

Having passed bats, snakes, cockroaches, spiders, and other creatures cooked indifferent ways, Istood inline for aman, who was selling coconut cocktails and fresh pomegranate juice. Almost reaching the counter, Isuddenly heard exclamations from the crowd.

Deceiver! The seller is aliar! Dont trust him!!! It expired yesterday!!!

An enraged, half-naked woman flew up tothe seller with abottle inher hand and doused the unfortunate man from head totoe with aburgundy-colored liquid.

Its not fresh! Its yesterdays!!! she shouted.

The people inthe line roared indignantly and instantly evaporated, leaving me tet-a-tet with the seller. As if hypnotized bymy own lack ofunderstanding ofwhat was happening there, Iapproached the counter even closer.

The seller, after wiping his face, gave me an appraising lookand

It is fresh! he said, as if nothing had happened. Fresh blood! The freshest one! Iswear bymy mom! Smell it! How many liters do you need? With milk or without?

Irecoiled indisbelief, and stars twinkled inmy eyes. Ibegan tolose consciousness, but, fortunately, someone caught my arm intime. Iopened my eyes.

Yanis

Drinkit!

He handed me awooden mug. Itook asip and immediately came tomy senses.

Dead water? Ijoked.

Yanis leaned intomyear.

There is no other water herehe whispered.









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2.3. AGiantShip


Icouldnt fall asleep at night. Ileft my hut toenjoy the Ocean view from the cliff, directly from the point where the stairs, connecting the hotel with the beach, began.

Istopped at the very edge.

Black starry Sky, inevery sense the Pacific Ocean andme

However, literally inacouple ofseconds, Ifelt astrange, already forgotten there, on the Island, breathing of the Wind! Yes! Who could imagine, the Wind

And the Sky instantly changed! The clouds started running across it and so quickly, as if someone had pressed the fast-forward button ofamovie. Iheard apowerful thunderclap, and the Sky was cut bylightning blades.

Iwas about torun back tothe hut when Isuddenly noticed aGiant Ship! It looked absolutely surreal! It seemed tobe brought there bythe Wind and quite byaccident, from some other era, or even from another world!

It was raining, but Icouldnt move, gazing at the Ship It was really gigantic! And so strange, old, with shabby sails, but without any flag or identification marks

Finally, the Ship entered thebay

Oh, no! It was impossible! Passengers began todescend from the Ship straight into the Ocean! How many people were there on board? Ahundred? Athousand? But all ofthem seemed tobe ghostly transparent. They were walking on the water surface tothe shore and, as soon as they reached it, immediately disappearing!

Ihardly forced myself toran back home. Ilocked the door.

Oh, Iwas sure, if my phone had not been dead for the lack ofelectricity, and the Internet had been available, the Giant Ship would have made asplash on the network! Iwondered if ghostly people would have shown up inthe pictures. However, nobody would have believed my words.



Ill be back home inaweek, and Ill have toreport tothe community about my journey. Not toforget anything, one needs tostart writing everything down intime!



Ilit acandle, since there were plenty ofthem inthe table drawer, took out my notebook and began like this



Water, water, all around is water, and apanic horror seizes me. Itry tofloat up tothe surface, but for some reason Icant, and Iam suffocating




III.  / The CAPTAIN oftheSHIP





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3.1. The Captain


Michael was the captain ofaship. At first. And then he became an important person inpolitical circles. When Igot aliterary prize at the Central House ofWriters, the President awarded him astate one. But Michael was also acreator like me, and, unlike me, he was agenius. Actually, we met each other on the creative wave. And then

Michael turned each ofour meetings into afirework ofemotions. He seemed tobe trying all the time toprove tome or even tohimself, he was the best, no one would be like him. It was certainly pleasant, but not at all necessary, because Michael was already the best, at least for me. Not just damn charming, tall and, as they say, athletic, but also an intelligent and wise person, Michael liked toread alot, todress stylishly, toeat delicious food and tobe perfumed expensively. When we walked around the city, Ienvied myself, What aman Iam walking next to!Actually, we were awonderful couple, not only outwardly.

Sometimes Iwondered why Michael would not find himself ayoung girl, because Iwas only seven years younger than him. Once (although we quarreled only twice), Ieven sent him to prostitutes, but he calmly replied that it was interesting and pleasant for him tocommunicate with me, as an intelligent and wise person, and, despite the fact that we were completely different incharacters, we had common interests, intellectual and physical compatibility, and prostitutes were aroad tonowhere.

Yes, Iconsidered myself abad lover, but only with Michael Ikissed on the lips, such kisses were his know-how, and exceptionally easily and unobtrusively, on his initiative, with my consent, we tried inbed everything and then returned tothe traditional classic.

Michael was aleader, and Iappreciated it, because, ofcourse, Iwas an unquestioning dictator at job, but inpersonal relationship asubmissive clay.

Iknew Michael for many years, not only bywords, but bydeeds, so Icould assure you, he was exactly the man that almost all led women were dreaming of. Any ofus could feel with him safety like behind astone wall. He didnt hide his head inthe sand, like an ostrich, but courageously solved every problem.

Theres no subjunctive mood inhistory, but Michael was the only man sent tome from Above, whom Iwould marry immediately, having quite consciously agreed with the fact that



MOTHER!!! it exploded somewhere very close



Her cry will even raise the dead from the coffin!Ithought and opened my eyes








The water was arriving High tide









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3.2. The Girl, again?!


Water all around water








Isat down on the white sand, moving away from the Ocean advancing on me, and turned back. The Girl. The very same one. She was crying again, standing on the shore and looking into the distance. Iwent up toher.

Whats your name? What happened? Where is your mother? Iasked once more.

The Girl whimpered. However, she seemed tounderstand my words, but she was silent like apartisan. Ihit the snow-white sand with my heel, signing my own impotence, and saw Yanis walking towardsus.

Hello, Alice!

Hello, Yanis. The child Something needs tobe done with her! We must report tothe police! Doesnt she understand what Im asking about?! Do you know her? Where does she live? She is clearly not alocal aborigine! And what about her mother?!

Yanis honored me with astrange look, full ofdeep sadness or even pain? And it seemed tome again, Ihad met Yanis before, or maybe, he looked too much like someone else

What do you want toeat today? Yanis asked suddenly, and at first Iwas taken aback.

Help the Girl tofind her mother! Icant stand her endless crying! Iscreamed.

Yanis put his finger tohis mouth, Shh!

Istopped talking and suddenly Ifound myself inavacuum silence. Iturned around. The Girl was nowhere tobe found! Ilooked at Yanis with horror, but he extended his hand tome, as if nothing had happened.

Lets go, Alice

The GIRL! Ishouted even louder.

Shell be back Yanis answered calmly.




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3.3. And once more theBoy!


Iplaced myself inYanis cafe, although Ididnt want toeat, having aterrible headache.

Yanis brought me the freshest tropical fruit juice and half acoconut, and then, glancing at the wicker chair infront ofme, politely asked, if it was free.

Inodded yes tohim. He sat down, and we continued our conversation.

Well, where did you have arest inGreece, Alice?

On the island opposite toMount Athos.

Thassos you mean?

No, Ammouliani. Have you ever been toThassos?

No And how do you like Ammouliani, the island ofmonks? Not so long ago, it belonged tothe monastery ofVatopedi. Did you feel the Spirit ofthe Holy Mountain? We can say that you lived inthe Holy Land!

Yes, its amazing! Ismiled remembering. You know, there is awild sandy beach with Mount Athos view there. The water is so clear and transparent, that even if you swim far away from the shore, you can see the bottom, and its not scary toswim there. Tobe honest, Im afraid ofwater.

Afraid? Why?

Idont know. Since childhood. Ioften have the same nightmare about drowning inthe sea or inthe ocean. Thats why Im afraid ofwaves. Fortunately, there are no waves usually inthe Ammouliani bay.

There are no waves here either, Yanis chuckled.

But the Ocean here has lots ofalgae, and for akilometer there is no deepness at all! Its impossible toswim, only towalk! On Ammouliani one makes two steps and doesnt feel the bottom anymore. And there is no seaweed there! Although Iused toswim far from the seashore, Ifelt like afish inwater! r maybe like amermaid Iused tostay inwater for more than an hour, all alone, or rather, me, the sea and the Holy Mountain Imagine, nobody else around! Bythe way, Im fond ofdiving and watching fishes!

While Itold Yanis about his Greece, he was smiling, and Iwas smiling too, diving inmy memories.

Many years ago, insome book ofawise person, Idiscovered an interesting idea, Our consciousness does not care if something happens only inthoughts or inreality, because the reaction ofthe body is always the same. And Ithought, Perhaps the time machine is ahuman thought, and our memories are nothing but the here and now reality. So, it is good for our health remembering happy or just pleasant moments

Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand. Iscreamed insurprise, turned around andsaw

the Boy! The veryone

He held out his hand, looking pitifully into my eyes, and said, Lantern!

And at that moment my brain seemed tobe completely hacked.

Yanis got up from the table and took the boy bythe hand. Speaking inthe local dialect, they went towards the village. Ithoughtfully followed them with my eyes, but Isuddenly remembered my last nightmare the Giant Ship. When Yanis came back, Idecided toshare my mysterious dream.

Yanis, listen! Tonight!

You couldnt fall asleep

Yes, Iwent out tobreathe the Ocean. Iwas standing on the rock, bythe stairs, when suddenly the Wind appeared! It looked like hurricane! The Sky instantly became so scary! Huge clouds were moving back and forth! Lightning, thunder, and it started torain, or rather, it was atropical downpour, and aGiant Ship entered the bay! And people on board Isaw through the wall ofrain, Iswear toyou, Isaw them descending from the Ship, but straight into the Ocean! And they walked towards the shore on the water surface!!!

And how else do people arrive on Camotes, if not byship or byferry? Yanis chuckled. How did you get here, Alice? Byaflying carpet?

My mind went blank again. Igot aglitch inthe brain, Iperfectly understood that there was no other way tothe Island. However, the picture on the internal screen split intwo. Isaw the old ferry that brought me there with Alex, many years ago, and Ialsosaw








water everywhere all around me water and apanic horror seizes me Itry tofloat up tothe surface, but for some reason Icantand



no, Im not suffocating! Isee aface ofaMan before it, aface, pulsing through the double image on the internal screen the last thing that flickers inmy nightmare









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3.4. Voodoo Procession


It was suspiciously quiet at night with neither wind, nor clouds inthe Sky. Itook one ofthe torches from the reception and went for awalk around the gloomy Island, aimed toreach some specific point.

Iturned towards the pier, as the previous night, and walked for about ten minutes along unknown tome species ofshrubs and the long-legged palm trees piercing the black-book starry Sky, when at first the tambourines and then drums roll with chilling chants were heard inthe distance.

However, curiosity got the better offear, and after acouple ofminutes Isaw ashocking procession ofalmost naked native magicians with painted faces and feathers on their heads, with frightening jewelry and scaring accessories, with skulls on thin sticks and ahuge straw doll on the central thick one. Several people provided the musical accompaniment ofthe ceremony, manipulating with tambourines and drums, the rest were singing incantations and dancing.

Itook astep back, out ofthe road, toskip the procession and immediately felt someone pulling my dress sleeve, and the already familiar magic word rang inmy ears

LANTERN!

My God! Iexclaimed, turning around. Look, my dear, Idont have any lantern! Only atorch, this one!

Igave it aglance.

The Boy pointed at the Sky inresponse, but Ihad no time tothink what it meant, because Isaw Yanis on the road, wandering towards the pier with fishing nets and gear. The procession ofblack magicians was moving away.

Hi, Ibreathed out. Are they Voodoo people?

Yes. But youd better not

Do they really shamanize here, or is it just agame?

Really, but

Every night?

Yes

Yanis was too laconic, but Ifelt that the topic ofVoodoo did not excite him, while it would be very curious for me toattend their ritual.

Where are they going?

Tothe Portal However, Icategorically advise you not tocontact them.

Iwas about toask, Who are you toadvise me something?But Istopped intime, because Yanis, fortunately or unfortunately, was the only one local resident, with whom Icould communicate, speaking the same language. Ithought, The voodoo ceremony would wait for me till tomorrow. No one forces me toinform Yanis about my plans and toreport tohim about their implementation.

Okay, Yanis. Lets say the Portal does exist. But what about lanterns? Why does the Boy keep asking me for some lantern?

Strange things happening on the Island didnt fit into the standard frames ofmy mind.

He doesnt really ask you for alantern, Yanis sighed, but for alight bulb.

Alight bulb? Iwas surprised even more.

Yes, alight bulb for the lantern. But it is okay also without lantern. Alight bulb is enough

What for? Iexclaimed understanding nothing.

Tohang it up on the Tree.








Apparently, Yanis decided tomake fun ofme!

Isee There are no light bulbs even inthe hotel! There are no lights on the roads! There is no electricity here at all!

But we have aWish Tree, Yanis smiled and asked, What are you dreaming about, Alice?

Iclenched my fingers into afist because ofmy powerlessness tounderstand something.

Walk me home. Please.



***


Ireturned the torch tothe reception and went into my hut, lit acandle, took out the notebook and continued



Michael was the captain ofaship. At first. And then he became an important person inpolitical circles




IV.  / The CAVE ofMAGICIANS





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4.1. Life is too short


Michael Iwished he had been with me on the Island!

We never spent vacation together Iused tosend him my erotic pictures from the Greek islands asking, Which girl do you prefer? Choose!toget inresponse, Lets take them all!He had agood sense ofhumor

Yes, perhaps Michael was the only man sent tome from Above, whom Iwould marry immediately, having quite consciously agreed with the fact that he would cheat on me after the wedding inthe same way, as he cheated on his wife withme.

It was strange for me that many girls were lost indeep illusions concerning the possibility ofchanging aman via some stamp inhis passport. Inever understood those who used toread phones, tolook out for astrange hair on clothes, tosniff out foreign smells and toperform other functions ofaprivate detective. Having noticed the evidence, probably Iwould have said something acrimonious, asking not tobother me with it any more.

Was Ijealous ofMichael for his wife? No. Did Isecretly want them toget divorced? Ididnt even think inthat direction.

His wife was an axiom. Besides, almost from the first day ofour acquaintance, Michael hammered into my mind the idea that Iwas absolutely free and could find another man at any moment with the aim tobe friends or toget married, and he would be sincerely happy for me and even ready tocelebrate my wedding, because there was no Michael inmy life and would neverbe.

From time totime, Ihonestly tried toget acquaintance with someone with the aim ofcreating afamily, considering exclusively free boys, and sometimes Ieven shared the results ofsuch search with Michael. Negative results. Not because Ihad excessive demands toapotential prince.

Apparently, it was my destiny. Iattracted not my men, such as chronicalcoholics, hardened gigolos, uncompromising atheists andsexual perverts. With all the wealth ofchoice, there was no alternative toMichael.

Perhaps for the spirit offreedom each ofour rendezvous, which could become the last one, turned out into abright holiday, and such aformat ofrelations withstood arather long test oftime.

Michael never gave me money or gifts, but the most magical February the 14


was connected with him. Michael just used tocatch for us aunique moment ofhere and now, inwhich we found ourselves shining as theSun.

However, the feeling ofbeing unoccupied and not belonging toanybody poisoned me. What did it cost him toadmit that he existed inmy life? Ingeneral, we must face the truth, that was not at all the relationship that could bring happiness, should be dreamed ofand / or envied.

We quarreled inall these years only twice. Not even quarreled. Itook offense. The first time Ididnt like his cynical words about Or rather, the tone ofexpressing his opinion. Iagreed with him, ofcourse, Michael as always was absolutely right, but Idisliked the way he said what he said However, after acouple ofdays, Michael realized the reason ofmy bad mood, came into my office and asked toforgive him. How many people asked your forgiveness for the tone ofexpressing their opinion?

The second time he persistently asked me the reason ofthe offense for two days inarow just before my departure toAmmouliani. Ieven sent him ajoking threat, Ill write anovel about you!

And Ireceived aletter as the answer ofnot aboy, but aman.



No-no-no, this is not anovel, and not even astory, and not an episode, but just amoment inlife oftwo adult self-sufficient people, who simply misunderstood each other. Sorry, Idid wrong when Idisappeared without explanation. Ihad ablack streak, problems with money and ingeneral But as soon as life began toimprove, Iallowed myself toapproach you again.



And thatIallowed myself toapproach youwas imprinted inme once and forever, instantly connecting kilometers ofmemories into asingle whole picture.



Idont even know how else tosurprise you!

Oh my God, Iam already agrandfather!

Ive lost some kilograms! Now Im like aboy!



Ismiled



Listen,Iresponded quite seriously, you dont have tobe asuperhero! If you have no money torent the whole five-stars hotel for us, we can just walk around the city. If you become impotent, pat my head, and Ill be pleased. Life is too short towaste time getting hung up on its loosing streak!



Someone pulled my hand.

Half asleep, lying on the snow-white sand, Iopened my eyes and cried out infright. Instead ofthe usual Sky, before my eyes appeared agrubby face of the very sameBoy!

He was laughing.

Lantern! LANTERN!!! he shouted the cherished word, running away from the shore towards the village.

Igot up, sighed and looked at the Ocean

Water all around water

The Ocean comes here silently




4.2.  


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   3(201), 2022,  .      .




3


   1112(197198), 2021,     2021.




4


The newspaper Poetograd No. 3(399), 2022, article byL. Koroleva.




5


The newspaper Literary News (Literaturnye Izvestia) No. 3(201), 2022, article byS. Bersenev




6


The newspaper Literary News / (Literaturnye Izvestia) No. 1112(197198), 2021, The results ofthe literary awards 2021 bythe press-secretary ofthe Moscow State Organization ofthe Union ofWriters ofRussia, https://reading-hall.ru/publication.php?id=30044




7


The most famous novel ofAlexander Grin is called Scarlet Sails. The main character, named Assol, lives inaseaside village and believes that one day aship with scarletsails will come totheir pier, and the captain ofthe ship, named Gray, will marryher.




8


Arepublished only inthe original Russian edition.




9


     .




10


*The most famous novel ofAlexander Grin is called ScarletSails. The main character, named Assol, lives inaseaside village and believes that one day aship with scarletsails will come totheir pier, and the captain ofthe ship, named Gray, will marryher.




11


Poems arepresent inthe original. There is only one ofthem included bythe author into English version ofthe book.




12


   .    (-), 1922    .   1973.  堖   .   540,  4,5.




13


   ..  .




14


Ammouliani is the only inhabited island ofC. Located near the peninsula ofAthos (Aion-Oros), until 1922it belonged tothe monasteries ofthe Holy Mountain. It was electrified in1973. It has ferry service with the villages ofTrypiti and Ouranoupolis. The population is about 540people, the area is 4.5square kilometers.




15


Protagonist ofthe famous book ofAlexander Grin ScarletSails. Assol lives inaseaside village and believes that one day aship with scarletsails will come totheir pier, and the captain ofthe ship, named Gray, will marryher.




16


   ,    ,           .




17


The Camotes Islands is agroup oftiny islands inthe Philippine archipelago. If you prefer solitude & are ready tosacrifice the benefits ofcivilization, youll enjoy the paradise, lost among tropical palm trees & sandy beaches.


