– What the hell is this? – he muttered, looking at the radio. – Come on, honey, come on.

He spoke to the station as if it could hear him. But there was no answer. Only hissing and crackling.

He was about to leave when suddenly he heard a voice:

– Come in, this is Ted. Has anyone tried to make contact?

Chris froze. His heart hammered harder. He turned around and ran to the radio.

– Yeah, yeah, it's me, Ted, your neighbor. Chris, can you hear me?

– Hey, how are you doing, did you finally decide to renovate? – Ted's voice sounded cheerful, but Chris could sense the tension in it. – I wasn't listening to what you said on the radio, I was outside. All I heard was someone talking. Okay, the window was open.

Chris took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts.

– Ted, listen to me carefully," he said, trying to speak as quickly as possible. – I was in an accident with a plane that crashed right into the road. My car was flipped over, and I'm lucky I wasn't hurt badly. It took me 24 hours to get here. You need to contact the local authorities immediately and report the crash. The plane is about 10 kilometers from here. Over.

– Are you serious? – Ted's voice sounded surprised. – It's-it's not a joke, is it?

– Yeah, Ted, this is no joke. We need to report it immediately. Come in.

– But there's no communication here," Ted said. – My radio station doesn't reach the nearest village either. You know that, don't you?

– Then you'll have to drive there," Chris replied. – Is your car running?

– Yes," said Ted. – But it's going to take time – There's someone alive in there, he asked.

– No, I didn't find anyone," Chris said.

Maybe there were chemicals on the plane. I smelled something strange when I came to. We need to report it as soon as possible.

– How are you feeling yourself? – Ted asked.

– I think I'm okay," Chris said. – But my side hurts a lot, and I'm dizzy. But I'll be all right.

– All right, I'll grab my first aid kit and come by your place," Ted said. – Come on, hang in there, buddy.

– Thank you, Ted," Chris said, tears welling up in his eyes. – I'll be waiting.

He hung up the walkie-talkie, walked over to the couch, and carefully lay down. His body was shaking, and his mind was spinning with thoughts. He couldn't believe he'd managed to contact Ted. But it was exactly what he needed right now.

Chris closed his eyes and tried to calm down. He needed to hold on a little longer. Soon Ted would be here, and it would all be over.

Chris heard footsteps coming up the creaky stairs. His heart clenched, but he knew it was Ted. His neighbor's voice sounded clear and confident:

– Chris, where are you? – It's me.

– Ted, I'm here, down the hall to the right.

– Got it," Ted replied, and his footsteps grew louder.

The door of the room opened with a slight creak, and Ted appeared in the doorway. His face was focused, but there was a shadow of a smile in his eyes. He deftly removed the bag from his shoulder and pulled out the first aid kit.

– So what do we have here? – Ted asked, pulling out a flashlight and checking it.

Chris, still lying on the couch, propped himself up on his elbows.

– You're like a doctor," he said with a slight chuckle, trying to hide the pain.

– And I am a doctor," Ted answered with a serious look, but there was a smile in the corner of his eyes. – Not for people, but for other animals.

– A veterinarian? – Chris guessed.

– That's right," Ted confirmed, pulling some pills out of the medicine cabinet. – But today I'll be treating a human being.