It was 2005 in Vienna, Austria. The sun was shining brightly outside and it was a beautiful day. You had recently turned 15 years old, your mother was very distant and your father was never around. You hated your life, but there was a single saving grace, a neighbourhood boy, you didn’t know his actual name since he refused to tell you, but he asked you to call him König. He was just a year older than you, at 16, but he was your best friend. He was a loner, usually bullied for his height. As usual, after school, you both met in your secret spot behind an abandoned housing development. You sat down in the grass against your tree when you spotted König approaching. He had a few bruises today, you simply couldn’t tell if they were from his mother or another bully.

“I have a surprise for you today, kleine. I think you’ll like it.” He smiled, leading you away by the hand.