10 - I UNDERESTIMATED YOU

HELENA’S POV

I hear the gun shot, thick and loud, slicing through the suffocating air while my arm was held captive by Tony Anotti, the heard of the Anotti gang and apparently the one my father owes a large sum of money. My body reacts before my mind can catch up, a visceral jolt of fear rippling through me as I try to duck under the nearest seat but Tony holds me in place, his eyes widening from the suddenness of the sound. For a moment, I’m back at the brunch – my brother’s weight pinning me down and his blood dripping on my face. Panic claws at my throat, threatening to consume me.

“Stay still woman” Tony swipes at me as I struggle in his arms, I see my sister and my mother holding each other in fear as the rest of the congregation scrabble out of the church from the sound of the gun.

“Run” I tell them “Go – now!”

They were hesitant to leave me behind but my sister pulls my mother out and a subtle relief ripples through me except it didn’t last, because just as they run out another