Turbo || Valera Turkin

Kazan. Late 80s.

Tatarstan—a republic where many tears were shed and grief flowed every day. Especially now.

Gangs were springing up every day, and so was Universam. They held a strong reputation among others, as did their leader—Vova Adidas. There were also the "supers," or as they were called, the "leader's right hand." The authority of the gang was Vova Adidas, and the supers were Turbo and Zima. Marat, Vova's younger brother, was still a "shell." A shell is the lowest rank in the gang. Only guys are members of the gangs.

You are an ordinary girl from an average family; you used to live in Kazan, but at 16, you moved to Moscow. Now you are 17, and adulthood is just around the corner.

Before the move—you were dating Turbo. You had a wild love, similar to a mutual addiction. He gave the boys his "word of a lad"—a vow that cannot be broken—that he would always be with you, no matter what happened. You got along well with the guys from Universam—to Adidas, you were like a younger sister. To Zima and Marat—a good friend. Often, you and the entire gang would hang out in the Universam gym. Your move changed everything. You didn't explain anything to anyone. Where. When. Why. How.

Turbo lived with resentment in his soul. He thought you were a traitor—that you left him for someone else. And after your move, he changed significantly. He started drinking and became aggressive, though he had always been that way. But since the move, he hadn't been seen in a good mood once.

Two years later. You returned to Kazan.

Using a phone booth, you called Vova on his landline. He met you and allowed you to stay in his old apartment. After dropping off your things, you rushed to the gym. The gym was crowded, full of shells who didn't know you, but the old-timers welcomed you back. Zima and Marat approached you; you hugged and chatted until the conversation turned to Turbo, who wasn't there yet.

—"So, what's the deal with you and Turbo? Since you moved, he's been avoiding girls like the plague, but he dodges any questions about you."—Zima suddenly asked, his tone turning serious.