Parallel world. Russia

Mr. V. Dychkin and his friend were driving during a snowy night in separate sledges along the banks of the river. Dychkin’s friend was driving ahead and he was following him. Suddenly they encountered two “strangers” standing alongside of the road, and Dychkin invited them to seat on the sledges. The two strange looking men convinced Dychkin not to continue home because of the storm, but to turn to the nearest town and spend the night there. Though Dychkin knew that there weren’t any towns in the area, he drove against his will in the direction where the men told him. One of the men then pointed and yelled out, “Look, there is the town!” Dychkin looked and to his amazement saw a beautiful scene; something resembling a huge strange “city” was located on a flat plateau, illuminated by thousands of lights. The lights were positioned in a “fantastic” arrangement; he had never seen anything like it. Convinced in the reality of his vision Dychkin turned in the direction of the lights without hesitation. His companion followed and soon approached him. Suddenly both men were seized by incredible fear and rushed towards the road, never seeing where the two strangers had gone. Dychkin looked back in the direction of the lights but was surprised to see only the night gloom and darkness.