Norton Kaspersky hated bacteria and viruses. These invisible dangers lurked everywhere. Just thinking about all the things that stuck to a doorknob sent a cold shiver down his spine. 

While he thoroughly soaped and scrubbed his hands for the third time until they turned red, he looked at his stressed-out face in the mirror. Cold sweat lingered on his forehead, which was framed by purple hair. Sweat that was surely also enriched with disgusting germs that wanted to make him sick. 

So he washed his face as well, then disinfected with disinfectant the disinfectant dispenser itself, then the handle of the bathroom cabinet, and then his hands. Only after that was he able to touch the handle, take out a fresh towel - that was washed of course at 90 degrees - and dry his face and hands. 

At the end of his routine, he threw the once-used towel into the laundry box, which he had of course only touched with the towel in his hands, disinfected a small box on the mirror shelf and then his hands again before opening the box and taking a few of the - in his eyes - guaranteed sterile globuli.

Yes, Norton Kaspersky hated bacteria and viruses. And it was a horror for him to live in a two-bedroom in a boarding school teeming with dangerous germs. All the stress was making him sick. 

Fortunately, there was at least one person in this madhouse who understood him. Reiner, his spiritual companion, always had good advice for him. He helped him strengthen his aura so that the harmful influences could no longer affect him. When the globuli prescribed by Reiner dissolved under his tongue and he swallowed, he actually felt a little better.

***

Slowly the days became longer again. Snow and ice went back and the first buds sprouted on trees and bushes. The birds also returned from their winter quarters and lively hopped from branch to branch.

Cordelius set down the binoculars and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “It’s wonderful that nature is still intact here. Look, a great spotted woodpecker!” Excitedly, he continued to devote himself to his birding.

“You mean me?” Red-haired freckled Reiner asked, grinning as he flipped through a multi-page statistic. He had thrown on a colorful batik scarf to celebrate Easter.

Cordelius gave a disgruntled growl. “Those violators of nature! The crocuses and daffodils are blooming in this meadow right now, how dare they trample on it!” He gritted his teeth and clutched his binoculars tighter.

Nanda now stepped up to the window as well. “They’re looking for Easter eggs hidden in the grass by the school administration,” he stated matter-of-factly. As always, he wore his white lab coat over his school uniform. Nanda enjoyed the fact that wearing a lab coat automatically made him look like he was highly competent. It was why he always wore it - except when showering and sleeping.

“According to statistics on sick leave, the number of students who miss a few days and weeks because of depressive moods is decreasing again,” Reiner explained what he had read. “I hate to admit it, but sunlight and fresh air are probably the best therapy for the winter blues … although I’d be happy if my spiritual sessions alone are the reason for the increased happiness rate.” 

He pulled a crystal pendulum from his pocket and circled it over the paper. “Oh, I’m receiving a sign!” He took a deep breath and rolled his eyes slightly. “My task in this physical body is far from over.” The pendulum swung out and pointed to a name. “My astral guardian has just told me that we will have a visitor. His name is … Dennis Biggins!”

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in!” Cordelius barked. He had just spotted Anders kneeling in the middle of the blooming daffodil bed, as well as Tauno taking a few pictures of him.

“H… Hello?” The visitor entered shyly and nodded at Reiner. “Dennis Biggins. You offered to read my cards today?” Dennis had a large frame and was as red-faced as a tomato. Nonetheless, there was a worried look in his eyes.

Reiner put the pendulum back in his pants pocket and rose solemnly. “How wonderful that our auras crossed for now. Come in and we’ll take a look at your future together.”

Nanda had to grin. So Reiner had made an appointment in advance and had circled the pendulum over the paper just for fun. “Shall I brew some tea?”

Reiner affirmed and opened the door to his meditation room. Today it smelled of sandalwood and patchouli. He turned around once more. “And please don’t forget the sugar bowl. But what am I saying, I can feel that your astral guardian has already reminded you, Nanda.” Reiner and his visitor then disappeared into the dark adjoining room.

“And remember …”, Cordelius began.

“… to turn off the kettle manually as soon as the water begins to boil,” Nanda added, getting to work. “I’ll never forget it. Who else is going to make this planet a better place if not us?”