Friday afternoon. 4:37 p.m.
The street behind the old corner store smelled of cigarette smoke and damp concrete. A narrow alley between two buildings, graffiti on the walls, overflowing dumpster, the kind of place kids used to cut through on the way home from school.
Alex walked through it on his way back from a quick meeting at a nearby café. Black suit, no tie, hands in pockets. Phone in one hand, scrolling emails.
He didn't see Marcin until he was almost past the group.
Marcin leaned against the wall, cigarette between his lips. Two friends beside him—same age, same cheap tracksuits, same lazy posture. They were laughing at something on a phone.
Marcin spotted him first.
"Yo, look who it is."
Alex kept walking.
Marcin pushed off the wall. Stepped in front.
"Wonderkid."
Alex stopped.
Looked up.
Marcin grinned. Took a drag. Blew smoke in Alex's face.
"Thought you were too big for these streets now. Suit and everything. Thinks he's a man, huh?"
