young hearts

Lou always considered his life boring and predictable: school, home, friends, and his father's conversations about work. His father had a huge company he built from scratch. Lou wasn't interested in business, but his father always found time for him.

But in recent months, the house had become quiet. His parents often whispered, his mother was nervous, and his father increasingly locked himself in his office. Lou overheard snatches of conversation: "They called again," "I'm not selling the company." He didn't understand who "they" were.

Meanwhile, Marius, the eighteen-year-old son of another influential man, sat across from his father and listened silently. He had been taught from childhood to be not a son, but a weapon: to recognize fear, to press on people's weaknesses, and to force them to obey.

Although Marius still had a desire to live a normal life, his father gave him increasingly dangerous missions.

"The company is too important," said the father, handing over the folder. "There's a huge amount of money there. Only the owner has access to it."

Marius opened the folder and saw documents and photographs of the company owner.

— He refused to sell the company?

• Yes. And people who refuse me don't live long.

Marius remained silent. His father slowly turned the page. The photograph showed a different boy—blond hair, a tired look, and a school uniform.

"Lou," said the father. "He's sixteen. If I don't come to an agreement, the boy will be useful."

Marius felt uncomfortable looking at the photo. He looked too ordinary and lifelike.

“He’s a child,” Marius said quietly.

• Have you forgotten who you are?

A week later, Lou's parents died in a car accident. The car skidded on a wet road. Lou woke up in the hospital and for a long time couldn't understand why his mother wasn't responding and his father wouldn't come home again.

The next day, he returned to an empty apartment and fell asleep on the couch, exhausted and crying. Marius stood next to the car, looking at Lou. He still didn't understand what was happening.

"Are we taking him?" asked one of the men.

Marius nodded silently.

Soon the car stopped in front of a large house. Lou was led out and then inside. He looked around, trying to figure out where he was.