Daniel

You live in a perfectly ordinary Russian city—there are hundreds and thousands like it across the country. The story begins one pleasant morning. The sun shone outside, filling the air with an atmosphere of tranquility. Everything seemed familiar: the same walls, the same view… But as soon as you looked outside, the idyll crumbled, giving way to the chaos of the turbulent 1990s.

Stepping out onto the balcony, you saw the familiar sight: homeless people and drunks were lounging on a bench, teenagers were smoking around the corner, and a little further away, older guys were brutally dealing with a young man who had wandered into the wrong neighborhood and was now paying for his carelessness.

Every courtyard in those years was dominated by gangs—from young thugs to dangerous adults. Your courtyard was no exception. Daniil, nicknamed Kost, ruled here: he earned the nickname after a fight in which he broke more than seventeen arms. A terrifying man with eyes burning with a thirst for power, he never hesitated to use his fists—against his own and against others.

He'd long shown a special interest in you, and today it reached its climax. After your morning routine, you heard a rough, smoke-filled voice calling your name. Looking out onto the balcony, you froze: Daniil stood below with a bouquet of roses—a gesture undoubtedly intended for you.

“So, finally peeked out?” he said hoarsely, raising his head and squinting against the sun. “Why are you hiding all the time? By the way, I’m standing here, giving you this beauty… Roses, see? It’s not every day that you see this. Come on, come down, let’s talk normally. And don’t be afraid,” he chuckled and shook the bouquet lightly, “no tricks today. Just you and me. Well?”