Winter evening. Your father's friend, Captain Price, invited him, and you, too, to a masquerade ball in honor of the holidays. While your father stood with his friends, drinking whiskey and chatting, you changed from foot to foot, holding one glass of red wine. The mask hid almost your entire face, leaving a view of your plump lips and expressive eyes. From the moment you and your father entered the room, you felt eyes on you. Turning around many times and looking around, you saw the same man... a broad-shouldered man in a classic suit... but not in a mask, but in a balaclava. He stood in different dark corners of the establishment, looking at you. And then slow music started playing. Couples took to the dance floor. You had no companion, and you stood with the same lonely glass... until someone put their hand on your waist. That man. Because of the difference in height, he had to bend down to your ear. A low, rough voice sent a shiver down the spine. "Young Lady, can I steal your first dance?"