Sneaking into his heart

Prologue

Lucia, 12 years old

I tapped my feet impatiently as I sat by my old table turned into a study desk. My eyes were glued to the textbook in front of me, yet I couldn’t make sense of the letterings scattered across the page, my mind otherwise preoccupied. Fisting my hands, I stood up and sauntered to the small dusty window for what must be the hundredth time this evening and closely perused the street which fronted our old, run-down trailer. The neighborhood was presented to me in its usual shabby state, dimly illuminated by the lights from other small housings similar to mine which lined the street. Not a soul was in sight, but I knew those people lay lurking there in the shadows. The drug addicts who would gather every night, at times even during the day, for their rituals of ingesting strange substances. I only witnessed the act on a couple of occasions but my sister told me that I needed to stay away from them, so I always avoided even glancing in their direction. I kept my eyes glued to the street right in front, willing for one of these stylish cars to show up and for Christina, my sister, or Chris as I usually called her, to emerge from it. Usually she was already home by this time but today, she was taking much longer. For some reason, I had a bad premonition, which caused a gnawing anxiety to rise from the pit of my stomach.

Being eight years my senior, she has been the one looking out for me since our parents died two years ago. Our life after that fateful accident, which separated us from our most important people, took a drastic turn for the worse. Living with my previously estranged uncle and aunt, who took us under their care, was too harsh. The beatings were a daily occurrence and Chris told me our uncle tried touching her in places he wasn’t supposed to. From what I heard during uncle and aunt’s arguments, they only wanted the meager inheritance my parents left us, but didn’t want the burden of having to look after us. The abuse only got worse over time and we both ran away within six months. After that came a painful period of living on the streets, having to beg and at times even steal for a living. There were even instances where guys would try to attack us, or Chris more specifically. Living off the streets, I have witnessed many things, so I knew exactly what they wanted to do to her. Fortunately, we managed to run away each time, though there were many close calls.

Then one day, she came to me with a bright smile, and lots of food in her hands, saying our days of starvation and homelessness were over as she managed to find a way to earn money. There was something strange about her, but I didn’t notice it in the wake of my excitement over no longer having to brave the cold nighttime air and especially with all the food she had brought, which made my starving stomach growl. We moved into an apartment that evening itself, but Chris left me alone there, saying she needed to take care of some business, her gaze strangely vacant. I thought maybe it had something to do with her new job, so I didn’t bother inquiring more into it. Looking back, I realized I should have paid more attention and noticed that something was bothering her. In a way, I had let her down, letting her make all the sacrifice. That night, she came home looking for all the world like she went through a storm. She was dressed in beautiful clothes, but which exposed a lot of her skin. Her face was caked with make-up, most of which were smeared and her hair was in disarray. What was worse was the look of pure desolation in her eyes as blackened tears fell down her cheeks. I had worriedly gone to her side, wanting to know what happened, but she brushed me off. When I tried touching her, she pushed me away, acting like my hand had burned her. She then mumbled something about needing some time alone and retreated to the bathroom. She remained there for several hours where I could hear her sobs... Soulful, mourning and projecting real despair. I remained by the door the whole time, feeling beyond worried, but not daring to bother her. The next day, she came to me, her eyes puffy and slightly blackened from lack of sleep, but still sporting a small reassuring smile. She apologized for her behaviour the previous night, then she hugged me. I could feel her tears dripping onto my shoulder as she rocked me into her arms, whispering “It’s okay…everything will be fine… I will do anything to protect you… to protect us.”

It was only much later that I realized that she sold her virginity to provide for us. Even after that day, she kept doing it, each time returning home with that same broken look. I tried convincing her to give up that job. She could try to find another one and even I was willing to find some way to earn money. However, she refused, saying that earnings from other jobs would never be sufficient. Over time, she even arranged for me to be able to go to school. This meant we had to live in this much less accommodating trailer, but Chris said it was worth the sacrifice. She wanted me to do the things she had been deprived of, and someday live a normal decent life. I always tried my best in my studies in hopes that I can later obtain a nice job. That way, I could support her and she won’t have to sell her body anymore.

Just then, I heard the front door slamming open, wrenching me from my thoughts. I darted my gaze around in bewilderment. I didn't spy any vehicle passing by… this meant the one who just entered the house couldn't possibly be Chris. My heart thudded as I listened to the person fussing around in the living room. I tiptoed to my bedroom door, pulling it open a crack. Right as I was about to peek through, someone shoved the door open all the way, making me gasp audibly. Terror froze all my senses, but then my eyes connected with Chris's hazel ones and I sighed, all the tension leaving my body.

Before I could say a single word, she shoved me deeper into the room, her expression stricken.

"Grab all your things! Quick! We need to leave now." She shouted the words in quick succession, immediately darting to my small makeshift wardrobe shoving everything she could inside the duffel bag she carried. Her panic triggered my own and I also helped her out, gathering everything I could.

"What happened?" I couldn't help asking.

She kept glancing at the window every second, every inch of her exuding tension.

"I'll tell you later." She mumbled. "For now, we need to get away from here."

She grabbed my hand, making for my bedroom door, but just then, a strong light illuminated the window from the outside.

Chris’s eyes widened in horror. “It’s too late. They’re here.” She whispered in a trembling voice. Her body started visibly shaking as she canted her gaze around, seeming at a loss. From the outside, I heard the sound of several car doors opening, then closing.

“What’s going on?” I sobbed. I felt the terror engulfing me, making my breathing labored.

“Shh! Don’t make any noise!” she whispered urgently. Just then, a loud bang came from the front door, making both of us jump.

She gripped my arm in a bruising grip, then shoved me into the wardrobe.

“Stay in here and don’t come out under any circumstance.” She whispered in a barely audible voice. Her expression appeared torn and she kept glancing at my door, but there was also a slight determination about her.

“But…” I started protesting.

“Please, Lucia. This is very important. Promise me.” Her eyes on me were silently beseeching.

My throat clogged, my eyes tearing up. “I p-promise.” I stammered out.

She gave a reassured nod, her eyes clouding over with emotion. “I love you.” She whispered, a tear slipped past her eye as she slammed the wardrobe shut.

“I love you too.” I sobbed, tears slipping down my cheeks. Some part of me knew this was her last farewell to me, but the other part refused to accept it. Surely there had to be a way for both of us to be safe! I prayed for a miracle to happen.

I peeked through a small gap in the wardrobe door, catching sight of Chris retrieving a knife, pointing it towards the door. Several steps could be heard in the living room, rapidly approaching.

Chris was outright quaking now, steadily retreating backwards. Three men dressed wholly in black slowly ambled into the room, crowding the space with their imposing stature. The temperature all around me suddenly dropped by several degrees, the air feeling thick and heavy with tension. I kept my gaze rapt on the three men, gauging their actions. Their very presence exuded violence. Just then, another much more imposing person appeared at the threshold and my breath caught in my throat, my widened eyes remaining glued to him. The threat emanating from the other guys paled in comparison with the sheer terror this guy triggered. With his messy black hair and piercing charcoal eyes, he might project an image of handsomeness, appearing even gentlemanly, but it all only served to increase my disquiet. His demeanor appeared casual as he took in his surroundings, as if he was just visiting a friend's house.

"So what will it be, Sophia." He asked in a relaxed tone. "Wanna come with us willingly or be dragged by force?"

My sister started trembling with a vengeance, tears streaming down her cheeks. My heart was in my throat as I watched the scene with bated breath.

"Curse you all to hell!" She cried desperately, then launched herself at the guy, her knife drawn.

I held my breath as I watched her small frame going against the much bigger men, hoping against hope that she can somehow overpower them and run away.

The guys didn't make any effort to move away, their expression almost bored as they looked at her. Just before my sister could reach him, the dark-haired guy retrieved a gun and shot her. The sound reverberated throughout the room, resonating through me and stabbing at my heart.

It all happened as if through a haze. One second Chris was rushing forward, fighting for her life, then the next, she just fell down, her body remaining unmoving. Blood leaked from beneath her chest, staining the floor around her. I felt like my heart was bleeding right along, every drop of blood spilled draining the life out of my body as well.

I was unable to help the whimper which escaped my throat. Right after, the guy who still held the gun in his hand turned his head in my direction. His bottomless black eyes were staring straight at me, the coldness within them freezing me on the spot. My hands were clutching my mouth to keep from making any sound while tears streamed down my eyes. Each pounding heartbeat within me felt like the sound of my impending doom. I tensed in nervous anticipation of when he's going to point his ruthless weapon at me as well and kill me. He stared for several unnerving seconds, then turned away. I released the breath I'd been holding, my limbs trembling with the after-shocks. However, the danger wouldn't be behind me as long as those guys remained here.

Chris… oh god, Chris! My dear sister who sacrificed everything for me and who I loved above anything else. She was all I had left and now she was gone, just like mom and dad. These guys killed her! She was so terrified, but they still mercilessly ended her life, as if she was just an afterthought. I wanted to stare at my sister and mourn her terrible fate, but instead my eyes remained glued to the black-haired guy. My sister's killer...Fury sizzled from deep within me as I burned his face in my memory. I wanted to kill him, just like he unfairly murdered Chris. This thought suddenly arose, unbidden, but I realized it was my innermost wish and held on to it. I glanced back down at my sister, my expression instantly turning forlorn. Rest in peace my dear sister… I swear I will avenge you… someday... somehow.

"We were supposed to bring her back alive." One of the guys said.

The black-haired guy just shrugged. "She was too hysterical. I wasn't in the mood to deal with her antics."

My eyes rounded in horror at his words. So, he just killed because he was too lazy? When in fact he wasn't supposed to? My chest heaved… this was too much. How could this guy be so cruel!

"Now hurry and clean up this mess." He went on lazily. "I can't wait to get back home and get a good night's rest."

This mess he said… he treated my sister's body as if it was just garbage! And he said he wanted rest? How can he even sleep right after ending an innocent's life! Or maybe this was just an everyday occurrence for him. The hatred burned within me and I lashed it all out at the heartless guy, wishing I could kill him with my venomous glare.

The guys lifted my sister's body and started dragging it away. My heart went to my throat, my hand reaching out wanting to stop them. Where were they taking her? At least leave her body here so I can give her a proper burial and mourn at her grave. However conflicted I felt, I could only stare despondently as they took her away. I promised Chris I wouldn't leave this wardrobe and I needed to remain alive so I could fulfill my promise to avenge her. Instead of peacefully sending her soul to heaven, these people will carelessly toss her body away. My soul wept in agony.

The guys made quick work of wiping away all traces of their visit. In a heartbeat, the room was back in its original state. I listened as they boarded their vehicle and drove away, feeling like they were taking away a piece of myself. I remained huddled there in my cramped space for several minutes, or maybe hours after they left. I couldn't bring myself to get out just yet and face reality.

Eventually, I slowly crept out, stumbling with my cramped legs towards the place I saw my sister fall. Everywhere was eerily quiet, everything appearing so normal, I even felt that the events from the last few hours were just a dream. But the memories were too real and Chris wasn't here and would never return. Falling to my knees, I dragged my fingers across the cold floor. I could still picture her slumped body lying in a puddle of her own blood. Choking sobs started wracking my body as memories of my sister played across my mind. It was all over now... She would never return, would never again hold me in her arms, telling me she loved me.

A strong wind blew by the house, initiating small creaking noises along the roof and floorboards. I darted my gaze around in the darkness, my senses on high alert. I glanced back at the wardrobe, my eyes going to the duffel bag my sister had been preparing. My throat clogged yet again, my tears threatening to resume their incessant flow, but I held them back. Right now wasn't the time to break down. I needed to get away from this place in case those guys returned. I didn't know why but I had this hunch that I needed to get away as soon as possible.

I grabbed the bag, shoving the rest of my things inside. Straining under the weight of the oversized bag, I lumbered to the front door, steeled myself, then ran as fast as I could into the deep of the night. My first thought was to head to Mel's place. Melody Crawford... My mentor as well as martial arts trainer. I first met her when she saved me from several girls who were ganging up on me. Even though I normally tried to keep a low profile, those people started targeting me for no reason. They were much older and bigger than me, so I was helpless against them... until I met her. She simply told me to follow her if I wanted to get stronger, so I did, limping behind her with my sprained ankle. She then said that she was impressed by my strength of will and took to diligently training me in the art of combat. Until I could figure out what to do from now on, I will seek shelter at her place.

I shivered in the cold wind as I stood on the landing of her bachelor condo. It took several minutes before she opened her door.

"Lucia? Why are you here?" She asked in astonishment.

Her short usually spiky black hair lay in a disheveled mess above her head, her eyes appearing still sleep-covered.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you at this time." I mumbled, my voice breaking from all the emotions I held pent up inside.

She seemed to notice that something was wrong and immediately shuffled me inside.

"What happened?" She asked once I was seated in the living.

"Chris was murdered." I whispered brokenly.

"What?" She asked in disbelief, her expression stricken. She had grown quite familiar with my sister when she occasionally came to pick me, even befriending her.

"Those guys in black suddenly came to our house and... shot her." It was a wonder I managed to maintain a steady voice with the way my emotions were in disarray.

"Oh god..." She whispered in a pained voice. "And you witnessed it all?"

I nodded mutely, making an effort to hold back the tears which threatened to spill at any moment.

Her face took on a grief-stricken look, but then she steeled herself, regaining her fiery expression. Mel has always been a strong and fierce woman who never let her emotions show.

"Tell me what they looked like." She said in a sharp voice.

I relented the men's appearance in as much detail as possible. Her gaze narrowed correspondingly. "That would be Adriano Cavarelli and his lackeys." She then stood up and went to a cupboard, fishing through its contents.

"Is that him?" She asked a few minutes later, placing several newspapers in front of me. I shivered when my eyes connected with the familiar black ones which seemed to pull you into a dark bottomless pit. He sported a charming smile in all the pictures, but to me it appeared more like an evil smirk.

"Yes it is." I said in a low voice. I then looked at the article more closely. It was bragging about the guy being a prodigy, managing to land several business deals worth millions.

Adriano Cavarelli... I repeated the name slowly in my mind, my eyes taking on a look filled with burning hatred.

"I will make him pay." I mumbled under my breath.

"He's the son of a mafia Lord. You think it's that easy?" Mel said patronizingly.

"I don't care! I'll find a way somehow." At that moment, I decided to direct all my sorrow towards hatred. I will make it my life's purpose. Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I will kill Adriano Cavarelli mercilessly, just like he killed my sister.

"This path will be very difficult." She explained. "Failure will mean death. There might even be times when you're going to wish you could just die."

"I don't care! As long as I can avenge Chris, I'm willing to sacrifice everything."

"Want me to help you?" Mel asked after several minutes.

I gave her a surprised look.

A small smile pulled at her lips, her expression devious. "If you promise to never give up no matter what happens, I will help you become strong enough to kill him."

"I promise!" I vehemently replied. "I will never give up until I have seen him dead. So please help me."

"Remember this." She said with narrowed eyes.

"I will!" I shouted, giving her my most determined look.

"Good. Now go and get some rest. We'll talk again tomorrow."

I nodded. "Thank you." I said gratefully.

She snorted. "Don't be too quick to thank me. You might end up regretting it later."

"I won't!" I said with conviction. "But Mel?"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you helping me?"

Her gaze took on a faraway look. "I also have a grudge against the guy."

Her response further piqued my curiosity, but she didn't seem to want to share anything, so I didn't press further. Anyway, from now on, my main focus should be on finding a way to kill Adriano Cavarelli.