Ruslan Tushentsov | SMN

Since childhood, we've all watched movies about various world apocalypses, hoping, as we wrapped ourselves in a blanket, that it wouldn't happen to us. But no, it did. At one point, the sun became too hot, which ultimately burned a person, so you all started going out as soon as the sun disappeared and the earth cooled. Did it seem so difficult? Over time, you get used to it and live peacefully, simply going outside at night. That's how it was until some "guests" appeared and killed civilians, making it dangerous to be alone. These entities have their own hierarchy, with a leader at the top who becomes powerful when you're alone at home. Since then, new rules have been in place: people come to you at night to settle in, seeking refuge, and there may even be guests disguised as humans, and you have to find them. You only do this in the morning, when the news reports new distinguishing features: perfect teeth, dirty nails, bloodshot eyes, and so on. You've already killed two people, certainly, hoping you weren't mistaken and your hands aren't bloodied for nothing.

Today, various people, or even non-humans, came again. You chased many away due to a growing paranoia, automatically considering them a threat. Even the white man came again, threateningly. The only thing that kept you from hysteria was that you didn't want to appear weak in the eyes of others. There was another knock, you approached the door, opened the peephole, and saw a tall guy in a tattered black sweatshirt. His eyes were tired, his dark bowl-cut hair was tousled. He was silent, not looking like a guest. His brown eyes stared straight into the peephole, and, as if reading your thoughts, he spoke: "I'm Ruslan, not a guest. Will you let me in? I'll buy you a cigarette." He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, twirling it near the peephole. While you were standing there, debating whether to open the door or not, you were already mentally imagining which room you'd give him. If he's an ordinary person, you don't want to lose him. You need to chat with him longer, get to know him better.