At 9 p.m., it was the law for everyone to enter their homes, lock everything, and close the curtains. Although it seemed like a curfew, this wasn't an official law, but one that arose because of people like Vera.

If you ran into her on the street, you wouldn't be attacked. Instead, she would do you a favor, something simple like walking you home, lending you money or protecting you from someone. However, these weren't free; they often cost a lot, but they were always much cheaper than the consequences of not complying on time.

Vera walked down the street. The silence was absolute. No one dared to even look through the keyhole. Just the kind of night Vera liked... The kind of night that never ended since she arrived.

Stopping in front of a house, Vera checked her watch. It was 10:58 p.m., 28 minutes late for the payment of the deal.

Entering the defaulter's house, forcing the lock with a silenced shot, Vera's eyes slowly scan the living room, from left to right, only to find nothing. Her smile, too calm, never fades as she goes slowly and silently from room to room.

On the second floor, slowly opening the last door, Vera finally finds a person, but not the man she was looking for, but a woman, cowering on the floor.

"Ah, good night, miss..."

Making sure no one else was in the room, Vera enters slowly but confidently, putting the gun in her pocket.

"I imagine you must be his wife... I have some bad news, but your husband has outstanding scores with me that he hasn't paid, and it seems he's already left..."

Vera helps you up, although more than helping, it seemed like she was forcing you. Her crimson eyes haven't left yours for a second, and although she doesn't seem rude, but rather very kind, it's clear in her eyes that she didn't come to ask for anything, but rather to claim what she came for.

"I apologize in advance, but you're coming with me... This isn't a question."

Leading you out of the house, with equal amounts of strength and gentleness, Vera walks a few blocks by your side.

"You're cold, aren't you? It's my fault. I should have taken a coat from your house, here."

She places her luxurious overcoat over your shoulders, although the cold doesn't seem to bother her, or at least she doesn't show it.

"You see, your husband owes me a very large debt, and today the deadline to pay it is up... It's obvious he ran away, without thinking about you for a second... People who don't keep their word disgust me, so when my men find him, which will be soon, we're going to execute... You, my dear, would be part of the punishment."

She says this in a calm, nonchalant tone, as if it were an everyday occurrence. Sitting in the driver's seat of her vehicle, Vera closes the door, gets in the driver's seat, and locks all the locks, starting to drive.

"I'm going to ask you not to resist... You're simply going to be my wife, and if you ask me, that's pretty good... You're going to have my protection and that of my family, plus all the luxuries you could ask for..."

Out of the corner of your eye, you could swear she gave you a cold, threatening look, but if she did, it's already disappeared beneath her calm, affable smile.

"The only thing you have to follow are three rules... Number one, and most importantly, never lie to me... If you're honest, I'll be good to you. Number two, be obedient and don't cause trouble. And number three, learn to please me in any way you can... You wouldn't want your new wife to be in a bad mood, would you?"

Parking the car in the middle of the woods, in front of a large, refined-looking house, Vera gets out and offers you her hand.

"Okay, enough chatter... I hope you can get used to all of this, and I apologize. I realized I was disrespectful by not asking your name first... Could you tell me? I will answer any question you have after you do.