“Go to Mirnaya!” says the man on a platform in the middle of the square. “Live a prosperous life and build a brighter future for you and your family!” He waves his hand up and down as he speaks, emotional and loud. The crowd around the platform makes notes on their cellphones, eager to save the addresses he keeps advertising. “Get registered at the Citizen Ministry Enrollment Center on State Street number 12, open on working days from eight to six! Families with two or more children get a discount! State Street number 12, open on working days from eight to six! Go to Mirnaya! Live a prosperous life and build…”

He goes on and on, non-stop, as the mutating crowd nods and considers building a brighter future in Mirnaya.

I feel sick. I can sense an urge to turn away and leave, but the phenomenon happening in front of me is drawing my attention too strongly. If it weren't for the current state of things, I think, maybe I, too, would be taking my phone and writing down what the man is saying.

But I find the strength to turn away and leave. I realize that what was happening on that platform was so magnetic that it made me unconsciously walk past my station.

Though the streets are busy around this time, the subway is not; my way home from school is peaceful as always, and so is my way up the creaky stairs of the apartment building.

“I'm home,” I say as I close the door behind me. I hear a surprised oh! coming from the kitchen. It's Levi, who spends his days off baking bread, and he's peeking out the kitchen door.

“I thought you were coming later,” he says. “Didn't you have a book club meeting today?”

“It was cancelled, so I left once class was over. ” I reply, placing my bag, coat, gloves, and scarf on the random chair beside the entrance. “Is Inga having dinner with us tonight?”

Levi peeks out the kitchen again. “Yeah, she'll be home earlier than usual today.” He goes back inside and comes out with a tray of bread. “Why, you wanna talk to her about something?”

I look down at my hands. “We arranged to go to the park tomorrow morning, since we're both free… So I wanted to ask her if the plan's still up.”

“Ah, that.” Levi pouts as he puts three plates on the table. “I wish I could go with you guys, but I have work.”

I wish he could come with us, too, but I don't know how to say that, so I just start walking towards the corridor.

“Don't you want some bread and cheese?” he asks, getting a slice of cheese for himself.

“I'll take a shower first.”

And so I leave his sight.