001: "I Am Not The Monster Here Darling, They Are And You Should Always Remember That,

(Anastasia's Point Of View)

I remembered the day it all unfolded like it was yesterday, the day my life took a dramatic and unexpected change.

Sitting there in the backseat of a moving taxi, My attention was riveted on the open window cab, earbuds stuffed in my ears, gazing as buildings passed one after the other in the lively metropolis of New York since it was the holidays.

The clouds were clinging to the endless sky, the July afternoon sky was a brilliant blue, and the air was energizing and invigorating as I inhaled through the window.

I grinned as the breeze stroked over my golden-brown hair and caressed my molten cheeks. I repositioned my spectacles on the bridge of my nose. I could feel it in my bones that this was going to be a wonderful season for some reason.

"We've arrived, Miss,"

I took out the earbuds from my ear when the driver broke my train of thought and I realized the car had finally stopped in front of my home.

Nodding, I stepped out of the car, went to the back, and took my suitcase, and instantly, the driver drove off while I stood in front of the white fence that led to the front porch of the home I once lived in before I moved to the university dorms.

Reaching the front porch, I realized how peaceful the neighborhood was which was an odd sight since it was only pm but I shrugged my shoulders and knocked on the door, beaming as I waited for my dad or mom to open the door but it was anything but anticipated as the door unbarred and I found myself staring at the tallest and bulkiest man I've ever seen.

He stared down at me, making me feel so ant-like. Who was he and what was he doing in my parent's home?

Before I could voice out my discomposure, a fastidious and predominant voice with a thick Italian accent articulated from the inside.

"Who is it Eagle?"

The galactic man known as eagle resorted without looking away from me. "I believe it's their daughter boss,"

"Bring her in, I'm sure she'd love to join the party," the same authoritative voice continued and suddenly, I was seized roughly by the wrist and was being tugged into my home with my suitcase left forgotten.

However, the scene inside made my stomach twist and seethed and my heart plunked down to my stomach at the sight of my parents on their knees, hands, and ankles bound while their heads were held down forcefully by two men with queerish and frightening tattoos.

Finally, my eyes ducked on the man in a black suit crouching on the couch, leg crossed over the over, lips clashing around a stick of cigar while his domineering and caliginous gaze was fixed on me. I gulped at the dominion that raged off him, the sovereignty that haled one to their knees. 

He pulled out the cigar from his mouth and let the smoke into the air. "Welcome home sweetheart, your parents missed you a lot," his tone dipped nocuously.

What was the meaning of this, what was going on? I wanted to speak but words hooked on my throat. "Mom, Dad," I managed out perplexed and frightened to the core. Who were these intimidating people? "What is going on?"

"Ana!" Mom suddenly sobbed, wanting to lift her head but the force pressing her head down was stronger.  

"Let go of her, you are hurting her!" I exclaimed when my mom wailed in pain.

The man laughed. "You see sweetheart, your parents owe me millions and thought they could run away, I've decided to return the favor,"

Millions? "That's not true,"

He sneered, taking a drag of his cigar. "You can ask them yourself, sweetheart,"

I looked over at my parents. "Mom, Dad, please tell me that's not true,"

"We are sorry Ana, we are so sorry!" Mom hollered.

"What did you do with the money, just return it!" I demanded since I didn't remember receiving money from them in school.

"It's gone!" Das clamored.

"Gone? I don't understand, were you robbed, what did you do with it?" I demanded and the unknown man laughed in his heavy Italian accent.

"Drugs, drinks, gambling, every felonious game, you name it darling," he smirked while his eyes scintillated with diversion before taking another tow of his cigar.

I shook my head. "No, that can't be,"

Suddenly, he was rising from his seat, standing tall and mighty. He let his cigar drop to the floor and he crushed it underneath his shiny and polished shoes. "I've entertained you enough. My boys are impatient you see, they want to play,"

Play? What did that mean? 

I didn't get to voice out my thoughts as one of the men pulled out a gun from the back of his pants and pressed it against my dad's nape. My eyes nearly hurled out of my sockets while my heart galloped in trepidation.

"Let's stain their carpet, shall we?"

"NO!" I screamed and so did Mom.

"Please, take our daughter and spare our lives!" She continued and my jaw dropped and my throat went dryer than the desert.

What?! 

"Yes, you can have her do whatever you want, she would be of good use to you than the cost of our lives!" Dad added.

I stood frozen but when the austere man looked back at me, I felt like running and when I took a step back, my back hit something solid before arms grabbed me. A scream mangled out of me.

"Indeed, she's a pretty one. She would fetch in good money with her legs open,"

I shook my head while tears streamed down my face. "Please no, I don't want any part of this, please let me go!"

Again, he smirked and walked closer, grabbing the side of my mouth and digging his fingers in. "I trust you heard what your parents said, they are exchanging you for the millions they owe me," then he reeled my head towards the direction of my parents. "I am not the monster here darling, they are and you should always remember that," he roughly let go of my aching jaw and stepped back. 

"Andiamo soldati. Our work here is done,"

And then, everything went black.

To be continued..!