I stood in the bathroom, opening the plastic bag with trembling hands. Inside was heavy metal. Not jewelry, not money. A weapon.

— Oh my God… — the words slipped from my lips. — Is this… your son’s?

He nodded, his eyes full of worry.

— Yes. And that’s not even the worst part.

I stared at him.

— Explain! Why does he have a weapon? What does all this mean?

He sighed deeply, sat on the edge of the bathtub as if all his strength had left him.

— He has debts. Big ones. I’ve noticed for a long time that he was hiding his problems from us. And a month ago, a man came to me… a stranger. He told me straight: “If your son doesn’t complete the task, your family will pay. Everyone — his wife, his parents, his children. No one will live in peace.”