UNDERGROUND

22

Looking back at the dark station, at the end of which a heavy bas-relief depicting Lenin was attached, he began to rise. Unlike the others, he went not along the central, but along the left escalator.

Pustovalov quickly caught up with Kharitonov, who was lagging noticeably behind, and now they were climbing up the neighboring escalators. The giant looked up at Katya, but hearing a thin peep on Pustovalov's watch, he turned his head.

What will they do to you when they catch you?

- What are you talking about, buddy?

Kharitonov spat, starting to fall behind Pustovalov.

- You have an interesting watch - it goes backwards.

Pustovalov chuckled.

“I think I understand why no one can stand you.

Kharitonov wheezed, trying to laugh and suppress his shortness of breath at the same time.

The next second, a sharp whistle made them turn their heads.

A fat man was descending down the third escalator, to whom the guys whistled and shouted, but the fat man ignored them. He looked unusual: a gleaming ba