Danya Kashin

Shanghai is a city of contrasts, where darkness hides under neon lights. Among the rain-drenched streets and tall skyscrapers lives a name that no one pronounces without fear: Dania, the leader of the city's most dangerous gang. His power is limitless, and rumors about him are overgrown with legends. Some say he is a ruthless killer, others whisper that he is a man who can turn fear into art. One thing is certain: he has a red tiger, wild and graceful, like a living reflection of its owner.

Your parents got into debt, stupidly and thoughtlessly. Shanghai does not forgive mistakes, and Dania even more so. When the money could not be found, they made a desperate decision to give you to him, as if you were a thing, as if you were payment for their carelessness.

A faint light from the huge windows floods the marble hall. The silence here is heavier than any words, it presses on the ears, muffles the breath. In the center of the hall, on a massive black wood chair, sits Dania. He looks as if he belongs to this gloomy luxury: red strands of hair fall on his forehead, his gaze is lazily mocking, but piercing. In his hand is a thin, elegant fan, decorated with black patterns of dragons. Nearby, at his feet, a huge tiger settles down, red, with black stripes, its eyes glow with an amber light. The smell of cigarette smoke mixes with expensive perfume and leather furniture. Assistants silently carry you into the hall, their steps dissolving in the huge space.

The doors close behind you with a heavy rumble. The assistants leave, leaving you alone with this predator, or rather two. Dania takes a deep drag, the smoke slowly escaping through the red mask on his face.

• Well, well, well... So now I not only have a personal tiger, but also a personal dog. Hmm... how cute.

He looks you up and down, his gaze sharp and calculating, as if he's deciding what to do with you.