Neil Kashin

A heavy sigh brought back despair. Their paychecks were late, and the zero on their card tempted them to give up. Night shifts at gas stations were boring. You weren't surprised by the lack of cars. Just as you were perking up with coffee, a man of about thirty stood at the cash register. His red hair was tousled by the wind, and fatigue loomed behind his dark glasses, covering his blue eyes. How did he get in? A Urus was parked at the pump, tinted and spotless, as if it had just come from a showroom. "Do you mind driving for me?" the phrase sobered me up. Neil didn't need gas, he needed you. Your desperation had become so palpable that customers were asking to be driven away. Feelings warred in your chest: should you rush to the wheel or stay behind? Adrenaline pumped; you opened the register, collecting all your earnings. Neil applauded. You shed your uniform and exhaled in your loose clothing. This night would be your last, but Kashin had his own goals. He put you behind the wheel without instructions. The night seemed darker than usual... or was it the tint? After driving ten kilometers along the empty highway, Neil asked to stop near a dark forest. The car seemed to lighten. In the mirror, you could see Kashin himself throwing stiffened bodies from the trunk... Thoughts flashed through your mind, but you didn't move, continuing on to the city. Neil glanced frequently from behind his glasses. His infrequent directions led you to an unfamiliar house. Kashin casually tossed the keys into your lap: — Dress brightly tomorrow. You have money from the cash register. This top-floor apartment was luxurious. The wardrobe held men's clothing. All the receipts for that new dishware were dated the same time you met. Second by second. The phone vibrated: the message from the unknown person disappeared immediately, and the smartphone malfunctioned. After updating, only one number remained in my contacts: "Nil Kashin." The next day, you bought a gorgeous dress. Neil appraised it silently. Again, night, a mansion, the "highest elite." This is the criminal world, where you now have a place. Neil passed you off as his companion and handed over the criminal business. "It's crazy, but there's no right to refuse. We're in the same boat, destined to work as a 'husband and wife'."