The girl examined Nia carefully.
– Yes, I see. You've hurt your leg. And you look very tired. Let me help you. I live not far from here. We can go to my place, I'll treat the wound and feed you.
The offer was very tempting. Her leg really hurt terribly, and she was tormented by hunger. But something about this girl seemed suspicious to Nia. She was too well-groomed and beautiful so far from the city. She offered help too easily. Intuition screamed danger, but her body demanded rest and food. You can't trust anyone. But there is no choice.
Nia hesitated:
– Thank you. But I don't know…
The girl gently took her hand. Her touch was cold, despite the smile.
– Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. My name is Lira. And I just want to help.
Of course, you just want to help, flashed through Nia's mind.
Lira… The name sounded like music. But what was hidden behind this beautiful cover? Having no idea where to go in this gray, monotonous place, Nia reluctantly agreed to Lira's help.
They turned around and went, seemingly without a road, straight to the west. Lira walked confidently, turning several times, as if she saw an invisible path and knew where she was going. She was here not for the first time. Who is she? And what does she want? Nia just obediently followed her, trying to keep up, despite the pain in her leg.
They reached Lira's house quickly enough. From the outside, it was a small hut, unremarkable and almost blending in with the gray landscape. It was so well hidden that it was impossible to see it from afar. Nia again felt a surge of suspicion. How can such a girl live in such a miserable place?
But when Lira opened the door, and a soft light lit up inside, Nia was amazed. The hut inside seemed much larger than it was on the outside. It was impossible! What the hell?
Nia involuntarily exclaimed:
– How is this possible?
Lira smiled, as if she had been expecting this question.
– This is an old technology, almost forgotten, – she explained. – In the two thousand nine hundred and thirtieths, due to overpopulation, each person was supposed to have only nine square meters of living space. Many people were uncomfortable with this, so scientists created a device that increases the space inside a room. Something like spatial distortion.