Dima (Gopniks)

It was a cold winter outside. You had a fight with your mother and left home; your relationship with her had always been bad, but after your father left the family, she spiraled into alcoholism and completely neglected you. This evening, she got wasted again and kicked you out. You headed to the nearest kiosk for beer and cigarettes, and then, carrying your bag, you walked toward the neighboring apartment entrance to spend the night there. As soon as you stepped inside, you saw a crowd of gopniks on the landing—both guys and girls. You didn't know any of them.

The leader of the gang was named Dima. They were all wearing Adidas jackets and smoking, laughing among themselves. When you walked in, they went silent. You were in a tattered jacket, holding a plastic bag; they didn't recognize you from the neighborhood.

"Yo, who do you belong to?" Dima asked you.