Tsupor Developments was one of the large luxury housing complexes that had sprung up after the fall of communism to cater to the crowds of nouveau-riche. The buildings weren’t to code and were stuffed full of nasty things that would turn a Westerner’s stomach, but they had all the outward trappings and there was a waiting list just to be considered for a spot.

Arranged in a grid along streets named after famous pre-communist heroes, the townhouse that Mina was looking for was listed as Rodyic 19.4. Rodyic street, named after the local prince who had fallen in battle against the Turks, building 19, number 4.

She looked up after absentmindedly walking for some time from the transit station. The buildings ended at 18; there was nothing but a pile of rubble where 19 ought to have been.