Oblivion

~Introduction~

Brielle: Nonna! Look what I found!

The little girl runs to the silver lady who did nothing but stare into the horizon. Her gaze cloudy even if the weather was warm and the sun almost blinded her. The things she had witnessed, the pain she had suffered, the sins she had done, and the payments she had to endure broke the woman and sculpted a soldier, a Queen without a throne. Even if she flew to the sun the light wouldn't be enough to melt the ice in her heart.

But maybe that little girl could. Only when she heard her chuckle she lowered her eyes.

Nonna: What did you find darling?

The girl stopped and looked at her grandmother with those beautiful green eyes that haunted her in her youth. Owned by the man who destroyed her and made her reborn from the ashes. Now those eyes belonged to the most innocent soul. But one she knew was about to get burnt.

Brielle: Here...

The girl smiles brightly and gives her protector an old printed photograph.

One that was from a long time ago. One she forgot existed.

One that proved she wasn't always broken.

Brielle: Is that you?

A goofy girl wearing a black hoodie, while making a weird, silly face.

How could that be her? When was the last time she smiled so carefree? Why was she smiling like that back then?

For a moment she lost her breath because she remembered. She remembered what or better who was the reason of that smile.

Nonna: Yes... that's me.

The girl examines the photograph and looks up at her Grandmother again.

Brielle: You were so pretty! I mean you are pretty now as well.

The older woman smiles sadly at the child and nods at herself.

Nonna: It's not about the looks my darling. It's about how I felt back then. And surprisingly you found a rare picture that depicts a beautiful feeling.

Brielle: Which one?

Nonna: Happiness my girl.

She takes a deep breath and hands back the photograph knowing pretty well that smile belongs to the past.

Nonna: You need to cherish these moments. Cause the life we live doesn't allow that emotion to thrive. You can only get glimpses of it and hold on them. For as long as you can...

Camilla's POV

Camilla: Giovanni I am done for the day.

The clumsy man stumbles upon his own feet as he is about to walk behind the bench with the drinks and cuss under his breath as he manages to regain his balance. I bite my bottom lip in order not to laugh at him.

Giovanni: Don't you dare!

He growls at me and I swallow my laughter as he approaches me.

Giovanni: You did good today. You deserve the tips.

He gives me a jar with the coins and I smile knowing damn well he add some in here.

Camilla: Thanks for the tips.

I wink at him but he just shrugs it off.

Giovanni: You know it's the least I can do after all the harassment you have to endure with all those assholes who walk in here.

Camilla: I can handle them Giovanni. Don't worry.

Giovanni: *sighs* You are just a kid Camilla. You shouldn't have to keep up with the world's madness at such age.

Camilla: Well, if I learnt one thing is that life is not fair. Besides I am not just a kid, I am turning seventeen tomorrow, don't forget that!

Giovanni: I wouldn't, if I knew your birthday is tomorrow!

I chuckle at his surprise and grab my bag after putting on my jacket.

Camilla: Not much to celebrate. But I promise I'll buy you some cake okay?!

Giovanni: You better kiddo! You better!

Camilla: Will do. Good night old man!

He shakes his head mumbling to himself and I am about to head out involuntary smiling.

Only I never do.

With a loud banging sound the door opens and a man covered in blood runs inside holding a knife.

Giovanni: Madonna mia!

Giovanni lifts his hands up in surrender and I back away from the door my eyes on the man.

Man: CLOSE THE DOORS!

Giovanni: Sir—

Man: LOCK THE FUCKING DOORS!

Giovanni only briefly looks at me but it's enough for the man to notice me. He turns his gun at me more scared than myself.

Man: You! DON'T YOU DARE MOVE!

Camilla: I had no such intentions.

Giovanni walks slowly to the door his glance between me and the man.

Giovanni: I am locking the doors alright?! Just please let her leave.

Man: NOBODY LEAVES!

He yells cold sweat running down his forehead. I watch as Giovanni slowly locks the door and the scared excuse of a man finally manages to swallow the lump down his throat. He is not here to steal. No...he is hiding. Or at least he is trying to.

Giovanni: Sir, what do you need? Do you need money?

Giovanni anxiously tries to communicate with the man but it's no use his eyes are on the door as if the next moment someone is gonna break through.

Man: Do you have another exit? Or a back door?

Giovanni: No sir.

My eyes widen and I regret it the same damn moment. There is a back door behind the toilets and I gave away Giovanni's lie.

The man grabs me from the arm and even though til now I didn't feel scared I can hear my own heart racing inside my chest.

Man: TELL ME WHERE IS THE BACK DOOR OR SHE DIES!

I feel his sweaty hand wrapping around my shoulder as the metallic edge of his gun touches my temple. I want to scream but no voice comes out. I am scared. And even though I am no stranger to fear I don't know how to handle a gun.

Giovanni: Please! I'll do whatever you want..just let her go!

Man: You have no idea...NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE GONNA DO IF THEY FIND ME!

I feel his grip tightening and I draw a sharp breath. But panic gets the best of me!

Camilla: You are mad! Let me go!

Man: Mad?!

He chuckles at the verge of tears as he presses his gun harder again my head.

Man: You haven't seen mad. You don't know them...you don't HIM! LOCK EVERY EXIT POSSIBLE!

The man is running batshit crazy and Giovanni is at loss when we all hear is a the thudding sound of a door breaking to the ground. Enough distraction to throw the man off balance and I manage to push him away from me. The next thing I know Giovanni places himself in front of me and about five men enter the bar from the back door. All of them in black clothes and holding at least one gun each. Only they are not regular weapons, they have a silver lining at their grip that seems to get not only the man's eye but Giovanni's as well.

Camilla: What the—

Giovanni: Shh!

The usually calm old man was now looking at me as if he saw a ghost. He grabs me by the shoulders and looks at me in the eye his voice trembling.

Giovanni: Whatever you see, whatever you hear, promise me you won't react. You won't say a word or do anything stupid.

Camilla: I—

Giovanni: Promise me!

I nod feeling his uneasiness as well and he pursues his lips before he looks again at the men pointing guns at now one terrified guy.

Man: I TOLD YOU THEY'D FIND ME!

His hand is trembling and so does his voice as he holds his gun against the armoured men who don't even blink.

Man: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR HUH?! COME ON DO IT!

*Clap! Clap! Clap!*

?: Now, now! If that wasn't a performance I don't know what is!

I find myself looking up following the deep, mocking voice and the throaty chuckle just to see a man who's hair is falling on his face making him look even more intimidating since his eyes are not showing. A gun is spinning around his finger as if this is all a game to him.

The man acts as if he's seen a ghost backing away still holding his gun but unable to use it.

?: You know... I don't appreciate cowards. I would much rather not invade a property that's not mine.

The man turns to look at Giovanni in an almost theatrical manner but he never does. His eyes fall on me and I feel like I run out of breath as our glances lock.

He tilts his head still looking at me but at the same time he lifts his gun up and aim at the robber.

Man: Please...

My gaze flatter for a moment just to see the poor guy on his knees begging. But it's no use. He can try and kill one and he'll be dead the next moment.

?: STOP THIS PATHETIC BULLSHIT!

I find myself grabbing Giovanni's hand flinching as the man yells without moving his body an inch.

The person on the ground keeps on pleading but at this point we all know it's a matter of time.

Giovanni: Camilla don't look!

I am about to turn around when his voice cuts the silence.

?: Don't.

Giovanni: My Padrone...she is just a kid.

Padrone?! What is he talking about?!

?: How old are you?

Giovanni: She-

?: I didn't ask you Giovanni. I asked HER.

Even without looking I can feel his eyes on me and when I look up he smirks just enough to give me the creeps. Giovanni told me not to talk. And right now trapped in this situation I don't even know if I am supposed to even breathe. But instead of shutting my mouth I look at the man and answer his question.

Camilla: I am turning eighteen tomorrow.

?: You are not a kid then.

Camilla: I suppose not.

I find myself staring at the man unfaltering and he seems to enjoy it. The men in black are ready to attack but stay still, clearly they are not supposed to act on their own.

?: Good thing we agree. Listen to me... Camilla.

He takes a moment before saying my name and I feel chills run down my spine as he addresses me. My knees feel weak from the fear but I clench my fists knowing that I can't show weakness in front of a man like him. He is a predator and I'd be damned if he'd see me as a prey.

?: Since you are a woman and not a child as Giovanni claims, I want you to NOT take your eyes from mine do you understand? I would much rather watch your pretty face, than that ant begging for his excuse of a life.

I am about to answer but the man on the ground makes a last pleading sound before a gunshot echoes through the bar.

Man: Pleas—

And just like that the smell of smoke fills the air and the pleading stops. Only to leave me with trembling lips and a dizzy head. All I see is those glistening dark green eyes that seem hungry for more.

Giovanni: Dio riposi in pace la sua anima! (God rest his soul in peace)

Giovanni closes his eyes more relieved than scared. But I just remain still watching the Devil approaching me. His gun still smoking and his eyes still glistening. He stands right before me and when Giovanni is about to take a step toward me he lifts his hand up stopping him.

?: You didn't even blink.

Camilla: You didn't gave me time to.

?: Fair enough.

He extends his hand to me and I look between it and him.

?: You are supposed to take it.

And I do. As if hypnotized by the whole situation. His hand is cold and his palm rough. He smiles approvingly as his fingers lock around my hand but he never proceeds on a handshake. He turns it around bringing it to his lips and giving the back of it a soft peck that makes my heartbeat quicken and I try my best not to flinch from disgust.

?: You can call me Matteo Il mio fiore. (My flower).

I pull my hand back hard enough to show my intentions.

Camilla: I have no intention on calling you anything at all.

Giovanni: Camilla!

Matteo: No Giovanni..let her please. I appreciate honesty.

I watch his men taking care of the dead body and feel sick to my stomach only now realising I just witnessed a murder.

Camilla: In all honesty then, I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring your mess into this bar again.

His eyes snap as I speak and I see Giovanni is ready to get in front of me when the man instead of taking a step forward he takes one backwards. He places his gun behind his back and smiles in a sly way before looking back at me.

Matteo: I suggest you be more careful on how you talk little flower.

Camilla: I will take your advice into consideration.

Matteo: *chuckles* Oh I'll make sure you will.

He claps his hands and his men take the now body in the bag and head out without saying a word. Matteo follows them but without turning his back at us. I can feel his eyes all over my body and resist the urge to hug myself in order to hide from the predator of man.

He looks up the wall and smirks before looking at me again.

Matteo: Til we meet again, happy birthday mio fiore.

The day has changed. Or better the night. A night filled in blood and fear.

The second he walks out I fall on my knees, all the fear, the agony, the shock dawns to me and I find my whole body trembling.

Giovanni: Shhh. Hush my girl it's gonna be alright.

Giovanni's arm wrap around me but I can still feel the cold of his hand. I don't know why I break down now..I have no idea how I even managed to hold it together. All I know is I am scared. And not in the way I'm used to.

Camilla: Oh my god..oh my GOD! HE KILLED A MAN!

Giovanni: I know.

Camilla: We-we did nothing!

The tears that roll down my face are not enough to make me feel calm and even the fatherly hug doesn't make me feel safe.

Camilla: Who the hell was that?! We should report it! We-

Giovanni: We can't Camilla. He is not just a regular man. He is HELL.

I look at him with teary eyes and see only terror in his face.

Giovanni: He is Il Diavolo.

A/N

Oh bless your hearts the ideas I have of where I want this story to go! It's gonna be sick so you better buckle up my lil buttercups! Shit is about to get real, real quick!