Chapter3

#Chapter3

The man who'd been begging for his life was lying motionless on the ground. The front of his shirt growing crimson with blood.

The men who shot him were nowhere in sight.

I took a few hesitant steps back before finally snapping out of it.

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me before they finally gave out and I collapsed.

I threw up.

After I'd finally gathered my wits I managed to get a hold of my phone. With shaking hands I dialed for the police.

/"Ciao./" I heard them answer.

I was about to respond but suddenly the phone was yanked away from my grasp.

My eyes widened in horror. I could feel my heart stutter.

The same man in the suite stood in front of me with my phone in his hand, the man who I'd just seen murder a man in cold blood.

I watched as he brought the phone to his ear. /"Ciao, vorrei ordinare una pizza al formaggio in più/" (Hello, I'd like to order an extra cheese pizza) His voice was exaggeratedly slurred, like that of a drunk man but his eyes were completely alert, locked on me. Daring me to move.

/"Eh? Questa non è la Pizzeria Bella Napoli? /" (Huh? This isn't Pizzeria Bella Napoli?) His tone morphed into one of confusion. /"Perdonami. Credo di essere un po 'ubriaco./" (Forgive me. I believe I am a little drunk.)

Slowly, he ended the call and turned my phone off.

My mind raced. Trying to figure out the smartest way to get out of this situation.

He was easily the largest man I'd ever seen. He would easily win if I tried to fight him.

He was probably faster too. If I tried to run there was a high chance he'd be able to catch me. Not to mention the fact that he had a gun. He'd probably just shoot me if I tried to flee.

That left me with just one option.

Playing dumb.

/"Hey./" I tried to keep my voice as calm as possible. /"Can I have my phone back please?/"

His eyebrows raised in surprise. But he quickly masked it with a smirk.

/"What is a beautiful girl like you doing in a place like this, all alone?/" He had a thick accent.

/"Oh, I'm just a tourist. Got separated from my group, they must be looking for me. That's why I called the police, I didn't know who else to contact for help./" I lied smoothly.

He nodded his head. /"That makes sense./" His eyes studied me closely. /"There were some complaints about disturbance in this area? Are you aware of any unusual activity which took place here?/"

I forced my face to look confused. /"No? I don't think so./"

He stared at me for a good minute before finally giving me a smile. /"I see. Here is your phone./" He said handing me my phone back. /"Sorry for the inconvenience, be careful signora./" (Madam)

I forced my expression to stay neutral, masking the relief I felt.

/"I will./" I said taking my phone and turning away.

It took everything in me to keep a steady pace and not run.

I'd taken a few steps when suddenly I felt myself being grabbed from behind.

I screamed, my arms and legs scratching and kicking.

A cloth clamped down on my nose and mouth. The strong scent of chloroform stung my nose. I tried to hold my breath but I could feel myself drifting away.

/"Nice try donna./"

Those were the last words I heard before everything went black.

I already know this is a dream.

I haven't dreamt about this place in years.

I am in a same small empty room like always.

/"Angelica./" My brother Declan's voice calls out.

/"Declan! Where are you?/" I shout in response.

/"Turn around Angelica?/"

I whip around to find my brother standing there and looking at me with his smiling face, He extends a hand towards me.

I smile back and start going towards him.

But suddenly he's not smiling anymore. I can tell that something is wrong.

That's when I see it.

The front of Declan's shirt is soaked with blood.

/"Help me Angelica. Save me./" He groans. But his voice is fading.

I start running towards him but the more I run the further he goes.

/"Stop running little girl./" A cold voice calls from behind me.

I turn around and scream.

He laughs.

It's him.

The man with the black eyes.

The monster.

He's right behind me.

He's going to catch me.

I woke up with a jolt.

/"Oh thank God you're awake. I was afraid I would have to carry you./" A masculine voice with a heavy Italian accent caught my attention.

It took me a moment to finally acknowledge the situation.

I swallowed, trying to keep my panic in check. I knew I had to keep a cool head if I wanted to get out of this alive.

/"Where am I?/" I demanded.

/"You'll find out soon enough./" The blonde man responded.

He held the door open for me and for the first time I noticed that I was actually inside a car.

I had no idea how long I had been unconscious for so there was no possibility or figuring out where I was.

I slowly got out.

The man nudged me forward with the tip of his gun and I gave him a scowl.

He sighed. /"I apologize but you left me no choice. I dislike this situation as much as you./" When I didn't respond he continued. /"Look, you can hate me but there are people worse than me here. If it was someone else they would have just shot you and got it over with./" His words caused a chill to travel up my spine but I forced my face to stay blank.

/"Let me give you a word of advice. I suggest you listen carefully if you want to stay alive./" He said after a short pause.

/"Never forget that they own this city. They own you. If they tell you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. They are cruel, they are relentless. They can end you with a flick of their fingers. Your life is in their hands so I suggest you don't do anything to piss them off./"

/"Who are they?/" I finally managed to ask.

/"The Alfonsi family./"