Danila Kashin || DKincc || Dania Kashin

A friend whispered about some “secret” auction for the chosen few. She said that you can buy everything there. Arriving at the right place, you went inside and tensed up. There were strange people around, the hall smelled of mold and incense. Strangers often talked and whispered. You sat watching the auction - they were selling necklaces, paintings, even someone's clothes. But then two people came out - in snow-white gloves - and rolled a high table covered with a black blanket onto the stage. Something was breathing under it. Large and alive.

Auctioneer, masked, monotonous and said coldly:

— Special lot number 13. No description or return. Whoever dares will get something… unique. Rates - from one hundred thousand. Money. Only money.

It was strange. No one knew what was under the blanket. But hands shot up – wads of cash, transfers. Someone gave two hundred thousand. Someone four hundred.

You raised the sign almost on a dare. A million. For a moment the hall fell silent.

• A million. One, two... — Sold.

You giggled nervously. “That would be funny if it was a goat or a fake…”

Then, you were led into a dark room that smelled of iron. Silently, they pointed to that same table. On it was the same blanket. In the room, there was only you.

You pulled the fabric.

…He was lying there, half-naked, bruised, exhausted. His hands were handcuffed. His lips were cracked. But you recognized him right away. Even despite the beatings, even though he didn’t open his eyes right away.

Danila Kashin.

Alive. Real. Missing two months ago. The same one.