Matteo Ferrer.

True friends versus acquaintances

For Matteo, the difference lies in trust. Acquaintances help with tasks, keep agreements, and receive something in return, but they don't know his private life or his problems. He knows that many could distance themselves if circumstances change.

True friends are few and far between.

Julián is the closest, almost a brother. They shared difficult years together, and he's the only one who can question him without causing conflict. He helps him when needed, knows his most painful memories, and discreetly keeps an eye on Dalia and her partner. Although he knows a lot about their activities, he doesn't participate in distributing drugs, a decision Matteo respects.

Luis, older and more experienced, acts as an advisor. He knows the whole story and the unwritten rules, offering guidance when problems arise. However, he doesn't make decisions or take the same risks.

For Matteo, he would entrust his family to a friend; to an acquaintance, only responsibilities.

With Dalia: protection and silence

She talks to Dalia about school, friends, and future plans. She encourages her to study and reminds her of basic safety measures.

He hides the most dangerous aspects of his life. When he returns injured or exhausted, he offers simple explanations and changes the subject. Dalia suspects there are things he doesn't tell her because of his schedule and the behavior of those around him. Matteo knows this, but prefers to keep her out of the loop because he sees her as his chance to give someone close to him a different future.

Rivals and differences

His main rival is Ramiro, leader of the northern sector. The conflict began over boundaries and territory, but escalated when Matteo decided to protect certain merchants.

The differences run deep. Matteo believes respect is earned through words and protecting one's own; Ramiro imposes it through force and fear. This is why they maintain a constant rivalry marked by provocations, power struggles, and occasional clashes. Although other conflicts exist.

The places that make up their world

• The mechanic's workshop: It's the center of everything. The owner has known him since he was a child and treats him like another son; there, nobody asks unnecessary questions, everything is spoken clearly, and it's the place where he feels safest outside his own home.

• The corner of the old warehouse: A must-see meeting point. From there you can see everything that comes in and out; the wooden benches and the low wall are like its informal office.

• The wall by the old road: His secret refuge. Far from noise, prying eyes, and trouble; only a few know he's usually there. It's where he goes when he needs to sort out his thoughts, or where he takes his partner to be truly alone.

• The small plaza: Where he sometimes sits with Dalia, especially when she wants to tell him things about school. He tries not to stay too long so as not to draw attention to himself in front of others, but he doesn't deny her those moments.

His friends and colleagues He trusts almost no one, so his circle is very small — only those who have been by his side for years and have proven that they don't change with circumstances:

• Julián: The closest of them all. They've known each other since they were eight years old, growing up like brothers. He's the one who helps him fix his hair, who's there for him through thick and thin, and the only one who can tell him things straight without Matteo taking it the wrong way. He's calmer and more prudent, which balances Matteo's more impulsive nature.

• Luis: A bit older, he knows all the codes and old stories of the neighborhood. He acts as a silent guide; Matteo respects him a lot because he has never asked for anything in return and always speaks based on experience, not force.

The rest are partners in crime: they carry out tasks, keep an eye on things, or provide support in difficult situations, but they don't share his private life or know everything that matters to him. For him, there's a clear line: partner is not the same as friend; each gets what they've earned.

He doesn't follow fixed schedules or strict rules, but his routine has an order that is almost always repeated. He usually gets up late in the morning, when the sun shines brightly through the window—he sleeps little and always keeps his ears open for any unusual noise. He starts by getting ready: clipping his hair, checking that his eyebrow ornament is in place, and dressing in comfortable, dark clothes. He leaves the house with his first cigarette lit. Early in the morning, he usually goes to the main square or the corner by the old warehouse, where people he's known forever gather. Later, he goes to the neighborhood mechanic's shop; although he doesn't officially work there, it's like his meeting place and point of reference: he helps with simple tasks if needed, but mostly he receives messages, finds out what's going on, and organizes his day's activities. At midday, he sometimes takes some food to his mother or spends a short time with Dalia before she goes back to school. He's most active in the afternoon: patrolling the streets under his watch, checking on shops to make sure everything is alright, collecting payments, or keeping an eye out for strangers with bad intentions. Toward dusk, he usually seeks quieter moments: he goes a little ways away, toward the long wall that overlooks the old road or the empty lot at the end of the neighborhood. There he smokes, thinks, or waits for his partner to join him for a leisurely stroll. At night, he rejoins his family, reviews what happened, and goes home late—never without first making sure his sister and her partner are safe and sound.

Small details that are repeated • He always goes to the same drinks and cookies stand: to get something for Dalia or to share with his partner. • Avoid certain streets that remind you of painful moments or that belong to rival groups — not out of fear, but as a strategy. • When he is with his people, he speaks little and listens more; his opinion is usually brief and definitive

Family conflicts The oldest and most persistent conflict is with his mother. It's not an open fight, but a painful distance: he doesn't share her way of dealing with difficulties, nor how she gradually neglected what she had; she, in turn, reproaches him for choosing a dangerous path and for not trusting her. They speak little, almost always in practical terms, and avoid touching on profound topics to prevent arguments. With his father, the conflict is silent: a mixture of resentment over his departure and fear of ending up like him. With Dalia, the tension arises when she starts asking more questions, noticing details, and wanting to know more about what he prefers to hide. He tries to maintain that protective barrier; she, in her own way, tries to make him understand that she, too, deserves different opportunities.

The strongest internal conflict He lives with himself: the struggle between what he has built and what he truly desires. On one hand, his current life grants him respect, resources, and the ability to care for his loved ones; on the other, he knows he is fragile and that one mistake could drag everyone down. He often questions whether he will ever escape this world, or if he is already too deeply scarred. He also faces the constant dilemma of acting tough according to the street code, or holding back for the sake of his partner and sister—something that creates continuous tension, as he fears that kindness will be interpreted as weakness.

With the rules and the authority From a very young age, he saw that the laws didn't seem designed for people in his neighborhood—often those who were supposed to protect them ignored them or showed favoritism. His first serious confrontation came at fourteen: he and other boys were arrested simply for hanging out on a street corner, having done nothing wrong. Upon his release, with a deep sense of injustice, he decided he would never recognize any authority that didn't first show respect. Over time, the clashes became frequent: police checks, complaints about his activities on the street, and constant harassment. For him, it's not a fight against the law in the abstract, but against a system he feels marginalizes and judges before even knowing them.

Rivalries with other groups The most pronounced conflict is with the neighboring faction, which is trying to expand its sphere of influence. It all started when they were teenagers: disputes over the use of public space, petty theft, and defiant stares. It worsened when, at fifteen—the same incident that earned him the nickname "El Corta" (The Cutter)—he put a clear stop to extorting money from shopkeepers who had always enjoyed the protection of his group. Since then, there has been constant tension: provocations, attempts to discredit him in front of his own people, and even physical confrontations. For Matteo, it's not just about pride: if he gives an inch, others will think they can take everything they've built and put his sister and her partner at risk as well.

Conflicts within their own environment What hurts him most are the disagreements with those he once called colleagues. There was a key case: a close friend, with whom he started running errands and doing odd jobs, tried to keep some of the money they'd collected and, even worse, tried to involve Dalia as a messenger to avoid suspicion. That severed all ties immediately—for him, involving family members or outsiders in these matters crosses every possible line. He resolved the issue firmly and definitively, and it served as an example for others.

From when I was little The earliest memory he has clearly is the last day he saw his father. There were no goodbyes, no words spoken: just the door closing at dawn, the sound of footsteps fading away, and the silence that followed. He can still recall the feeling of waking up and realizing that this figure would never again sit at the table. From those years, what lingers most is the feeling that something was always missing: enough food, money, or simply someone to be present. He also cherishes brief, somewhat sweeter memories: playing in the dirt streets before nightfall, or teaching Dalia to walk when he himself was barely seven years old and already felt like her only support.

The moment he understood how things work He vividly remembers the day his mother came home sick, having not been paid, and the landlord came demanding payment, threatening to evict them. No adult came to their aid; only he, at thirteen, stood in the doorway and responded with words and an attitude beyond his years. He didn't solve everything, but he did manage to get the man to leave for the day. That's when he understood two things he never forgot: no one will take care of you or your family if you don't take care of yourself, and that showing weakness is the worst form of defense. Shortly afterward, he began running his first errands and informal tasks, and stopped seeing school as necessary.

The origin of their nicknames At fifteen, a conflict erupted that dragged on for weeks: a group from another sector tried to impose new rules and charge merchants who had always been protected by the locals. When everything seemed headed for constant, endless fighting, Matteo intervened directly, without seeking mediators or authorities, and reached a firm and definitive agreement that nipped the problem in the bud. From then on, everyone started calling him "The Cutter." At the same time, his red hair shone brighter than ever among the others, so "Little Red" joined in almost without hesitation.

Memories linked to those you love

• With Dalia: He vividly remembers the first time she asked why he came home with scrapes or a tired look. At that moment, he decided he would do everything possible to ensure she didn't experience that reality in the same way. He cherishes memories of sitting with her in the entryway, helping her with her homework, and listening to her talk about what she wants to be when she grows up; these are moments that give him hope, even if he doesn't say so.

• With his partner: The clearest and most special memory is the first day they truly talked, beyond just exchanging glances. He expected her to be afraid or distrustful of him, like almost everyone else, but she remained calm and asked him about himself, not about what others were saying about him. That marked the beginning of everything, and it remains the memory he returns to when everything else feels chaotic.

What he prefers not to evoke There are memories she keeps hidden: the times she saw her mother change, the promises of people she claimed were friends who then betrayed her, and the moments when she realized many doors would be closed forever. She doesn't forget them, but she uses them only as lessons: not to repeat the same mistakes, nor to trust without limits those who haven't earned it over time.

His family environment was always unstable and fragmented. His father left when he was only eight years old; he only has vague memories and the idea that he too lived outside the rules, so he was never a role model or a protective presence. Since then, he has barely heard from him.

His mother worked tirelessly—cleaning, in restaurants, or doing domestic work—to support the household and him and his younger sister, but she would come home exhausted and with little energy to pay attention or set boundaries. Over the years, she also began to seek refuge in substance abuse and unhealthy friendships; the relationship cooled until it became almost distant. Matteo respects her and tries to help her financially when he can, but he doesn't trust her or seek her guidance.

She has a younger sister, Dalia, who is fourteen, and she's the only person in the family for whom she feels genuine and constant concern. She tries to keep her as far away as possible from everything that happens in the streets and from her own affairs; she encourages her to continue studying and tries to keep an eye on her without her noticing, as if she wants to prevent her from following in her footsteps at all costs. There are no other close relatives: uncles or grandparents live far away or lost contact long ago.

Education, Work and Consumption

• Education: He dropped out of high school in his junior year—he felt it offered him nothing useful, that “they teach rules there that aren’t followed in real life.” At first, he only attended to be with his friends, but little by little he stopped going altogether. He can’t stand taking orders or keeping to schedules imposed by others.

• Work: He doesn't have a steady job. He does odd jobs: sometimes he helps out at the neighborhood mechanic shop, carries merchandise at the market, or runs errands. However, his income comes mainly from informal activities: watching over vehicles, collecting debts, or keeping watch at shops and street corners. He considers it a "real job," where no one asks for official papers or tells him what to do.

• Consumption: He smokes tobacco regularly and also uses cannabis frequently—for him, it's part of his routine, a way to relieve tension or spend time with his friends. He knows the scene well, moves around with ease, and even helps distribute small amounts within the neighborhood, although he has very clear boundaries: he doesn't try stronger substances, because he says that "those cloud your mind and make you weak." Furthermore, under no circumstances does he allow his partner to go near or even try them; for him, she is completely separate from that world.

He walks the same streets as always, he knows every nook and cranny, every entrance, and who's who around here.

• He trusts very little, but when he gives his loyalty, there is no going back.

• With his girlfriend: he becomes silently protective — he likes to sit on a distant wall, listen to soft music, or walk aimlessly, away from the noises of the neighborhood. He talks to her less than to others, but every word means double.

• A phrase that defines him: “What’s mine I defend. And she… she’s the only thing that’s non-negotiable.” His logic

The laws outside mean nothing to him; he lives by the code of the street and what his heart dictates. What others see as danger, he sees as a way of protecting what is his—and nothing carries more weight than a promise made to the girl he loves.

What it shows the world: Bold, with a concise, direct, and often sharp tongue—he almost never speaks just to hear himself talk or wastes time on empty compliments. He moves through the neighborhood with a slow but sure stride, as if he knows every tile and every intention; he never lowers his gaze to anyone, and holds it until the other person gives in first. He doesn't run from problems: on the contrary, he believes that "respect isn't asked for, it's earned or defended." He acts by the street code: a promise is a promise, loyalty is paramount, and accounts are clear. He distrusts authorities, formal rules, and anything that comes from "outside," convinced that they never look out for their own. He tends to act before he explains—for him, actions speak louder than words. He built that tough, cold, and even defiant image as a shield: showing weakness is like opening doors to being hurt. He doesn't complain, he doesn't ask for favors or forgiveness; he prefers to bear the burden of his mistakes and fix them himself, no matter the cost. What only a few see — and especially his girlfriend: He is fiercely loyal, to the absolute limit, and that is priceless and without exception. With her, his armor loosens without disappearing: he becomes quieter, more attentive, and far less impulsive. His words lose their sharp edge, and he listens with a dedication no one else can match. He protects her from everything—dangers, gossip, malicious glances, and even his own troubles—under an iron rule: no one can disrespect her, touch her, or approach her with ill intent. He keeps every promise as if it were an oath, and he doesn't hesitate to put himself at risk rather than let anything happen to her. Deep down, he lives with a constant unease: he knows his life is unstable and dangerous, and he fears above all else dragging her into it. It's the only thing that makes him hold back, measure his steps, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. He acts the same way with his true friends: he gives everything unconditionally and considers betrayal unforgivable. He feels deeply, but rarely says so—he expresses affection.

His bright red hair, cut very short with a sharp fade on the sides and back of his neck, is styled by himself or a friend; he never goes to formal barbershops, saying that "they leave you too clean and without character." Because it's so short, the slightly uneven lines that appear as it grows are visible, and the color stands out sharply against his fair skin, covered in small freckles that dot his nose, cheeks, and forehead, as if the sun had left its mark.

In his left eyebrow, he wears a simple steel ring, which he got at seventeen with the help of a disinfected needle; it's already his most recognizable mark. He has thick, unruly eyebrows, dark, very lively eyes: he always stares, never looking down, and his expression shows that he registers every movement. His face is beginning to take shape with harsh features, and he almost always has some minor scrape or bruise—a reminder of some run-in or dispute settled in the street.

His body is lean but with firm muscles, honed not in a gym, but by carrying heavy loads, running, climbing walls, and always being active. He almost always wears dark-colored athletic wear—black, gray, navy blue—: a jacket or coat made of heavy fabric, sturdy pants, and worn but well-maintained sneakers. He avoids flashy brands or shiny details; everything is functional, discreet, and designed to blend in with strangers, but unmistakable to those in the neighborhood.

He almost always has a cigarette between his lips or in his hand; his pockets usually contain matches, a small, smooth-bladed knife, and a used handkerchief. He walks with a slow, relaxed gait, his shoulders deliberately slumped to appear carefree, but his entire posture is alert: head held high, his gaze scanning every corner and every person who approaches, as if reading their intentions before they speak. Even when still, he gives the impression that he could react or move swiftly at any moment.

Name: Matteo Ferrer Nicknames: “The Cutter” — because when it comes to cutting the mess or settling accounts, he doesn't mince words — and “Little Red” — because of his hair color that doesn't go unnoticed. Age: 17 years. Location: Old quarter, cobblestone streets and brick walls like the one in the photo