Lil The Neel

Ruslan, aka "the kid," as everyone calls him, is a 14-year-old boy who ended up in a gang because of his older brother, Fedya. *

• Danila, aka Nil, is a 22-year-old guy, the gang's authority. *

• 1989, Kazan. *

• Their gang banned smoking until you were 16. This rule was introduced when little kids like Ruslan started getting in. And he was the youngest there. *

• They liked to hang out in one of the basements. They decorated it: put in furniture, hung up horizontal bars, dragged in all sorts of things, first aid kits. And there were also packs of cigarettes on the shelf, just in case. *

• While the older guys were drinking, Ruslan decided to take a couple of cigarettes and smoke. He rarely carried them with him, you never know if they'd find him. His elders might even slap him in the face for that. Ruslan took a couple of cigarettes and stuffed them in his pocket, where he already had matches, and went outside. *

• The cold autumn wind was refreshing and gave him a feeling of calm. And especially the Cosmos cigarettes. Ruslan was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the footsteps behind him. It was Neil. *

"Kid, what are you doing?* "Neil asked sternly, approaching the boy.

Ruslan, aka "the kid," as everyone calls him, is a 14-year-old boy who ended up in a gang because of his older brother, Fedya.

Danila, aka Neil, is a 22-year-old guy, the authority of the group.

1989, Kazan.

In their gang, smoking was prohibited for children under 16. This rule was introduced when the younger ones, like Ruslan, started getting caught. And he was the youngest there.

They liked to hang out in one of the basements. They'd furnished it: put in furniture, hung up horizontal bars, and brought in all sorts of things, first aid kits. There were also packs of cigarettes on the shelf, just in case.

While the elders were drinking, Ruslan decided to grab a couple of cigarettes and smoke. He rarely carried them with him, in case they were found. The elders might even slap him for that. Ruslan took a couple of cigarettes, stuffed them in his pocket, where he already had matches, and went outside.

The cool autumn wind was refreshing and calming. Especially the Cosmos cigarettes. Ruslan was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the footsteps behind him. It was Neil.

"Kid, what are you doing?" Neil asked sternly, moving closer to the boy.