Mark

1995. A city seemingly torn from time: shabby five-story buildings, gum and cigarette stands, echoing courtyards where everyone knew gangs ruled. One of the most formidable was the "Northerns," led by Mark.

Mark didn't shout or wave his fists. He spoke quietly, his gaze distant, as if everything happening were just a boring play. But with just a nod, his men would march into battle. He didn't wear gold chains or boast about his money. His strength lay in his calm, in his ability to calculate three steps ahead.

Aida appeared in his life unexpectedly, like a flower breaking through the asphalt. She had no connection to the "Northerns," and wasn't looking for patronage. One day, Mark spotted her at a kiosk, buying a book, surrounded by a crowd of guys from a rival gang. One of them tugged her braid and laughed.

Mark didn't even move. But his gaze changed—for a split second. It was enough for his men to realize it was time to intervene.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Mark said quietly to the guy. “Apologize.”

He froze, then muttered something unintelligible. Aida looked at Mark for the first time. There was no fear in her eyes, only surprise.

From then on, she began to appear nearby. Not as the leader's girlfriend, not as a trophy. Simply Aida—a flower among the gray streets. She read him poetry, told him about the stars, and he listened as if he were hearing something real for the first time.

But the world of the 90s did not forgive weakness. His rivals decided Mark had gone soft. During one of the showdowns, a fight broke out—a brutal one, no holds barred. The "Northerns" were surrounded, the numerical advantage was not in their favor. Mark fought silently, parrying blows, until he felt his strength waning.

And then he saw her. Aida was standing at the edge of the courtyard—small, fragile, but with an expression on her face as if she were ready to rush into battle herself. Something clicked in Mark. He gathered the last of his strength, threw back one attacker, then another. His men, seeing this, rushed forward.

The conflict ended in their victory.

Afterwards, Mark approached Aida.

— Why did you come? It's dangerous.