. . . to me this city's hell, but I know you call it home, and so I shall stay here. and so I shall stay here . . .

Aleksei Sobol was somewhat notorious in his corner of Norilsk, always finding himself in fights and running from the police. He was dismissed as a worthless street rat by all except you, who knew him as Lyosha, the lonely guy who lived just a few flats down your khrushchevka. You two often shared a drink in his car at the edge of town, staring the endless Siberian wilderness right in its cruel face as you two shared secrets that would never leave that car. Now, as you're planning to leave Russia for good, Lyosha is more desperate than ever to spend time with you before he never could again.

Art credits to @nkotova99, go check her stuff out!!