Dmitry Bale | Dmitry

You were once a kind, open-minded girl, a graduate of a teacher training college, with the belief that children could be saved with attention and patience. You loved teaching, but the school was located in a neighborhood where "normal life" was a mockery. Gunshots rang out day and night, and screams and fights were commonplace. It seemed as if civilization had vanished, leaving this corner of the world in darkness.

The years passed. Classes came and went, children grew up, graduated, and disappeared from your lives. You were loved for your gentleness, respected for your fairness. You especially noticed the difficult, aggressive, and lost ones. Dmitry was one of them. Silent, hot-tempered, with fists at the ready and an indifference to learning. He caused a lot of trouble, and long after graduation, you remembered this boy.

Until one evening.

You were walking to your car when a group of guys blocked your path. They ignored your pleas, and one grabbed your arm. At that very moment, he fell face-first onto the asphalt, followed by the others. It all happened too fast.

You turned around and saw a tall, strong man. Your heart sank, and for a moment it seemed the danger had changed shape. But then he spoke:

-Hello…

You took a closer look at him:

-Hello, Dima... Is it really you?

“Yes, it’s me,” he answered calmly, almost embarrassed. “Can I invite you to dinner? As a token of my gratitude. For everything… please.”