CHAPTER 2.
A sharp crash at my window jolted me to my feet. Someone was in my house, and it definitely wasn't to say hello.
Could this day get any fucking better? What the hell was going on?
Heart hammering, I grabbed what I could. The gun, the letter, the phone book and journal.
I thought as much. My parents telling me to run, and coming clean about the mafia. Of course, I was also a target.
They were here to finish what they started with my parents.
I didn't stop to think. I ran through my room window straight into the night. My shoes slapped against the wet pavement outside, and my stomach twisted with the certainty that my life had just become a game I didn't know the rules to.
Gunshots rang behind me, but I couldn't stop. If they had to get me, they'd have to bleach my blood off of their skin.
I ran till the gunshots faded.
No idea how far or how long I had been running. Minutes, hours? but it was the break of dawn. Just great.
Finally getting a break, I tried to study my surroundings. My body trembled with exhaustion. My breath came out as ragged gasps. Trying to breath without sobbing.
I'm alive, but for how long?
I collapsed into the hollow of a fallen tree.
Where do I go from here?
That's when I remembered Castro. Searching everywhere on me, I found it. The phone book.
I needed guidance. Someone who knew this world I'm about to enter a bit better than me.
My parents trusted Castro. I really hope they actually did, and he wasn't a last ditch resort.
I rang his number. Holding my breath as it rang out.
"hello." oh, thank godness.
"What?" Castro's voice was rough with sleep and irritation.
"Hi, Castro. My parents said to call you if I need help. This is Elena Moretti."
He gasped.
"They… they killed them, Castro. And they're coming for me. I need help, Castro. I need your help." I sounded so desperate.
"I've been running all night. I don't know where the hell to go."
For a moment, silence. A very uncomfortable silence.
Will he leave me here? Would I have to figure all of this out all on my own?
"Where are you, Elena?" His voice came out as a ragged whisper. It sounded so… comforting.
"Somewhere in the woods. I… I have no idea, Castro" my chest shook.
"I can't stay here much longer, Castro. They'll find me."
"Listen to me, Elena Moretti." his voice cut through my panic. So steady, comanding, yet comforting.
"Stay hidden until I find you. Call nobody else. Makes absolutely no noise. No lights, Elena. Don't move under any circumstances. I'll find you."
The tone went dead after that.
I don't trust this man, but I really have no choice at this point. He's my only escape. I have no choice, and that honestly makes me have unsettling thoughts.
What's the use of being in a world where one has no one to trust?
"She went this way."
I don't know how long I had stayed curled up in the hollow of that fallen tree when I heard voices. Awfully similar to the one I heard back at home when my parents left me.
The footsteps were deliberate and slow. Crunching on the dry leaves as I heard them very clearly. Approaching my hiding spot.
I definitely couldn't run. There were at least, five men out there. Trained killers. My chest locked.
I slid lower into the tree hollow, barely breathing. Hearing the steps come closer, a shadow stretched across the ground near me.
I pressed my palm over my mouth, tasting dirt, sweat and blood.
My other hand gripped the gun.
The footsteps paused for a moment, then continued in the opposite direction.
I almost breathed a sigh of relief when I heard a new set of footsteps. I shut my eyes, body frozen as I gripped the gun even tighter.
In that hollow, between the fear, and vulnerabilty, something hardened. I couldn't continue being prey. Not anymore.
At that moment, though, I stayed right where I was , just as Castro had instructed. He'll find me here. Right here.
"She's somewhere here. Find her as soon as you can."
I heard a stern voice give the command.
Boots crunched against the leaves all around. I bit my tongue to keep from making any sound.
Then the tree I found my temporary refuge in got pulled away, and with every courage I had in me, I shot.
"Calm down, Elena. It's me. It's Castro."
For a moment, I couldn't move. couldn't breath.
I finally let the weight of the night hit me all at once. My grip faltered, and everything I had been holding on to so dearly since the night before slipped and hit the mud.
Castro caught me before I fell. His shirt smelled of cigarettes, blood and gunpowder, and weirdly, it felt so safe. Safer than I've felt in a long time.
"You're safe now, little Isa" He whispered into my hair. I felt a tear slide dow my cheeks.
Isa? That's mum's name. I was too tired to care.
"At least, with me."
I let myself get indulged in the warmth of his embrace. It felt so familiar.
So… comfortable.
"Elena! Elena, don't you dare close those eyes."
I could hear the words. I could hear those words, but my body couldn't listen. Trying desperately to keep my eyes open, I saw Castro's lips move s few more times.
Barking commands to his subordinates. I tried my level best to stay conscious, but it was just comfortable. Too comfortable.
"Stay with me!" Castro growled, his hands gripping my shoulders painfully.
I'm trying too, Castro.
I couldn't fight anymore.
"Don't close your eyes. You hear me? Don't---"
Sounds drowned into silence, and suddenly, darkness.
When I opened my eyes again, the world was different. No forest, no dirt, no cold air.
Everything felt so unfamiliar.
The white ceiling that stretched over me, the silk sheets, the glow of that amazing chandelier. Everything was just so beautiful.
I wasn't given enough time to take in my surroundings when a voice jerked me to my feet.
"Finally awake, princess?"
Castro. That's right.
Everything from the past few days came rushing back into my head as my brain tried its best to process all the information.
My parents' deaths, the attempt on my life, that damn note, the golden leaf, Castro, and of course, my new life.
"You seem to have a very colourful brain, little Elena"
Huh?
"You've been lost in your own little world ever since you awoke."
"Did you expect anything less, Uncle?" I rolled my eyes.
"Anything you might need?"
"A shoulder to cry on, perhaps?" Yes, I needed that desperately.
Unable as I am to process my emotions, I was well aware that at that moment, I needed a good cry.
I watched Castro's lips curl into some kind of a twisted, sad smile.
"All we have now is each other, little Isa. No one is this our world can be trusted. Absolutely no one."
"What your parents had… well, is almost impossible to even wish for."
I understood what he was trying to say. Maybe?
"Whoever tried to kill you, Elena. They won't stop. You're the last heir to the Moretti family. The syndicate. Once they get rid of you, it's over for us."
I just can't get peace, can I?
"What exactly is up with my family, Castro? So far, I understand it's a mafia family…thing, but why do people want me dead?" I asked, getting up from the bed to explore the room a bit.
"Your family has been the leading mafia syndicate for literal centuries. It's powerful. Too powerful, and that's why they want you gone. They have succeeded in killing everyone else but you. Do you understand, Elena? Once you're gone, Moretti leaves the face of the earth."
Castro looked serious now. Too serious.
"Now, get dressed. We have visitors." Castro added, standing up to leave.
Visitors? Why would they want to see me?
I did what Castro commanded, though. The closet had all the right clothes. He thought about everything.
…
As I walked down the stairs, I saw a figure leaning against the wall, almost blending with the shadows in the living room. Not Castro.
As I tried to turn back, I heard a low, raspy voice.
"So, it's true. You're alive."
I tried to look closer.
"Did that old bat really have to bring you here?" He continued as he stepped out of the shadows.
My throat tightened. "Where's Castro?"
He didn't answer right away. He walked towards me with slow, deliberate steps.
He stood in front of me, and his lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
"You have your father's eyes." He murmured.
"And his trouble."
Was that meant to be a compliment? The tone didn't sit quite right with me.
"Who the hell are you?" My voice came out louder than it should've.
His gaze sharpened.
"Pleasure to meet you, Elena Moretti. I am Adrian DeLuca."