MarcoEveryone had their specific positions at the large hall. I was assigned to stay with Big Tom all night like some cheap body guard. Andrea hovered around him most of the time. Other times I caught him talking to some guests at the large garden.We arrive at a decorated hall. It is a chapel and a priest stands far ahead in front of empty pews. A man in black suits and dark shades stands by his side.Is Andrey planning a wedding or an actual coronation? I shoot Andrea a suspicious glance but he doesn't catch it. “Could that be him?” Andre asks Big tom as we approach the tall man in white shiny robe. “I don’t expect him to be here himself,” Big tom replies, suddenly halting and turning to me, puffing his tobacco-filled mouth to my face, “How about you go get yourself a drink.”I meet Andrea’s gaze only for him to gesture my compulsory exit, like father did whenever he had a bloody task.“Why do I have to leave?” I question, my gaze still resting on Andrea, instead of Big Tom. “Ma
MarcoA duct tape binds tightly over Andrea's mouth, muffling his desperate pleas. His eyes are wide with fear and a warning, for me, or for us I can't tell but his gaze meet mine amidst the tense silence of the chapel. His veins bulge on his forehead, glistening with nervous sweat that streams down his face."I know that look," I think to myself, my heart pounding hard in my chest. "I should have been here sooner. Maybe I could have turned the tide, but now... now it might be too late. Our ship is sinking."My foot grip the gun tossed to me on the floor. I scan the faces around me, squatting to pick up the gun, its weight heavy under my trembling hands. My gaze fixes on the guard opposite, his own gun leveled at my forehead, ready to pull the trigger at the slightest provocation."What do I do with this?" I manage to choke out, my voice barely a whisper as I try to keep my nervousness in check. The room feels suffocatingly small, the air heavy with the scent of impending violence. "
Marco A continuous buzzing sound fills the air, pulling me from the hazy fog of unconsciousness. I tilt my head, blinking against the blinding brightness that surrounds a tall figure standing before me."Took you that long," he says, his voice cutting through the silence and wind like . And in an instant, I recognize the face. The mysterious devil who holds my fate in his hands.I try to lift my arm, to aim at him, but my bad leg protests, sending a jolt of pain through my body. I'm stuck, my ass glued to a metal chair, and my hands cuffed behind me.Two more men enter the small, empty room, their presence adding to the suffocating tension in the air."I figured we needed to make something clear," the devil speaks again, with his usual smooth and dangerous voice. "If our collaboration is to work, I need to be sure I can trust you. Especially after last night's... incident.""You've taken everything from me," I spit out with bitterness and anger. "What more could you possibly want?""T
MarcoThey pull up at the entrance of an old cemetery, the car coming to a halt as I feel this strange nervousness. Stepping out, I'm met by the guard, whose eyes haven’t pardoned a minute away from from me."Over there, pal. The party's almost over," he sneers, thrusting the jar of my brother's ashes into my hands.My gaze sweeps over the small group ahead. Not one familiar face and I can't help but ask, "Where's my sister?""What, you think we take orders from you now?" the man behind me retorts, delivering a sharp kick to my healing leg. I grit my teeth against the pain, limping forward. I’ve to cage my anger and come up with a plan to take down all these bitches one by one.Among them stands the familiar figure of the pope from the chapel. Two other men in dark coats stands adjacent to him with shaded glasses. I know their presence there is anything but for a good purpose."What's the point of a burial if my only family isn't here?" I question, turning back to the guards who brough
One year laterSarahA sharp, urgent knock startles me from the soothing rhythm of rocking Carlos to sleep in my arms. It had taken more than an hour of tender care to pacify his incessant cries, and I couldn't bear the thought of him waking up again. I lay him in his crib and answer the door, desperate to silence the noise that threatens to disturb his nap time."Who is it?" I called out, my voice a little above a whisper."You have a package, ma'am," the voice says from the other side.I hesitate, my mind racing. I hadn't ordered anything, and I rarely spoke with the neighbors since arriving here. A sense of unease settles over me as I cautiously open the door, revealing a delivery man with a pen and paper in hand."You need to sign here, ma'am," he says, his voice having no emotion."Who is it from?" I ask."Look, ma'am, I don't know. I'm just doing my job."I glance around, scanning the peaceful surroundings for any sign of danger. Satisfied, I sign the paper and carry the package
SarahAs I make my way back home, my head feels like it is on a roller-coaster, struggling to maintain focus. Shadows dance and flicker behind me, but I dare not glance back. With hurried steps, I hurry down the sidewalk. The apartment building looms just a few blocks away.Reaching my front door, I fumble for my keys, my hands trembling. With a quick glance around, I rush inside and slam the door shut behind me. I lean against it, panting heavily, my heart still racing with my eyes closed. I stumble to the bedroom, relief flooding over me as I find Carlos sleeping peacefully in his crib. What was I thinking ever letting him out of my sight for one moment? Tears well up in my eyes, a mixture of fear and exhaustion washing over me. It must have been my imagination running wild back on the streets.Thoughts of what they'll do to me if they ever find out about my betrayals.The silent cyphers are unforgiving.I collapse to the floor, the headache pounding relentlessly in my temples. Sea
MarcoTwo weaknesses haunt me relentlessly. Sarah is one. I've forced myself to accept that she's no longer a part of me, burying the pain deep every night. But, now, hearing of a possibility and seeing it for myself, there’s no going back, denial is no longer an option. Whatever these enigmatic people seek, I'll provide it.I observe as the mysterious woman is ushered into a sleek car, the convoy fading into the night. Driven by the thirst for answers, I hurry out of the bar. A motorcycle sits idly at the corner, its keys still in place. I watch the owner for a while, but as more distance adds between me and these enigmas, I seize the opportunity, leaping onto the bike and tear off into the darkness."Hey! That's my bike!" the owner shouts, but his protests are drowned out by the roar of the engine. I race after the convoy without looking back, pushing through the crowded streets, determined to uncover the truth. If this woman needs my aid, then I must know who she is. If ever her wo
SarahI reach for the door for a means of escape. “It's no use Maria," he says with a smirk as he zooms off.“i'm not too familiar with this environment.” His eyes scans the road as one having troubles navigating towards our destination. He glances at the rearview mirror and our gaze meet,“Maria... How long will you keep running?” He must be enjoying the moment, seeking for ways to taunt me. “We're done Shawn and you know that. ”He takes a sharp turn. Surprisingly heading towards my apartment. It dawns on me. How long he's been monitoring us is what I don't know. “Don't be like that Maria. I never for once let you out of my sight. How's my son?"His words hit my ears as he mentions about Carlos. I feel dumb for a moment.“What son?” I stutter, searching around for any weapon to set myself lose from the beast driving the taxi.“it's useless. Stop the pretense and give us a chance Maria. I'm the only one who can protect you.”“i don't need your protection, Shawn! Stop the car now