Road

 Very short story

Road

"Hey, is this the road to the temple?"

I ask, but I wonder if it would be better to punch him in the face, he'd tell me at once. No, seriously, he’s obviously stupid. He’s sitting in the middle of the road, not thinking a damn thing, and there’s no one else to ask.

And fog is around.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean by “huh”? Is this the road to the temple or not, I asked you. Are you a deaf?"

"Ugh…"

"Do you hear what I’m saying?"

He keeps silent. He gazes.

"Do you hear what I’m saying?"

"Ugh."

I don't want to repeat it myself.

I walk up and kick his knee with the toe of my shoe. Not too hard, but it usually works.

No reaction. Fine, let us talk. I am in no hurry.

"So?" I mimic him. Law of reflection, hehe.

"What do you mean by "so"?"

Look at this. He is not deaf.

"I asked: is this road to the temple?"

He slowly turns his head and looks into the distance. For a long time. And for what? It is foggy - you cannot see a thing.

"So?" I'm starting to lose patience.

"Huh…"

"So?!"

There is fear in his eyes. Well, yes, I would feel it in his place. He looks at my plaque, oak tree. I cleaned it this morning. Still, I am going to church.

"I am asking for the last time! Is this the road to the temple? This one?"

"Uh…"

"Yes or no?!"

"Well, yes."

I spit at his feet. Asshole. As if he could not say it right away. They are all like that. All of them.

Maybe should I punch him?  Oh no, I do not want to get dirtier.

I turn my back on the idiot and walk into the fog. You can't see a damn thing. Gray. Humid. They say it's always like this here. Well, at least the road is normal, there is asphalt here. Smooth, you won't trip. Not like in that hole... Okay, I need to go.

Somewhere behind me a voice suddenly sounds. Oh no... this sheep. He is bleating something. Is he asking for alms? There are many of these around the temple. Screw you. Go to work. Or serve - get a gun and go.

"Hey!"

I don't turn around. There are no fools here.

"Actually, when someone goes to the temple, he always knows the way. He knows what he wants. And then any road leads to the temple. Do you understand?"

Now he is talking, yeah. Not “well”, or “huh”. Just wait, buddy, we'll meet again on my way back.

"And those, who don’t know the way to the temple, end up on the road to hell. Always."

Oh yeah, of course. You didn't get your penny, now you stink.

Oh shit! What, what?! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I am falli… Help… oh my Lord...

Pavel Amnuel