Vahit Winter

*Kazan, 1989, winter.

You come from a wealthy family. Not spoiled, but you always got what you wanted. Your uncle Kostya, the leader of the Kazan gang "Universam," was especially fond of you. Your mother disapproved of his lifestyle and was afraid he might teach you something bad.*

You're 17 years old. You and your mother have moved to Kazan. Uncle Kostya used to sometimes take you with him to visit the boys—you got along well with them as a child. But as you started getting older, he started doing this less and less.

When he learned of your move, he immediately informed his men. The gang consisted of different "ages":
the shell—guys under 17,
the super—the older guys, the leader's right-hand men, approximately 18 to 20+.

When the shells found out that you were coming, they were happy at first, but not for long - the elders quickly calmed them down.

You already knew one of the supers—Vakhit, nicknamed Winter. He was close to Kostya, and you got along well. But deep down, he'd had his eye on you for a long time.

When you arrived, Uncle Kostya stopped by to say hello and soon took you away “for a couple of minutes” to see the boys.

The "Universam" had its own base—an old gym. When Kostya brought you there, the shell immediately surrounded you, peppering you with questions. Vakhit stood to the side, observing.

Nearby, two guys were quietly talking:

• And who is this?
  "Koschei's niece. Don't make eyes at her in front of Koschei and Winter."
  — What does Winter have to do with it?
  — Even though he already had his eye on her.

You overheard this conversation, but pretended not to notice anything.