City: La Costa de la Luna.
It was dark and raining in the city. The rain droplets hit the roof of the house, making loud noises. Nobody was seemed outside. It would be foolish of anyone to be outside in the city on a Saturday night.
In front of a creamy building were six cars belonging to strangers. The neighbors were quiet because they knew what type of visitors that came.
Inside the building, Strange sounds came from downstairs. The doors of the living room was wide opened. Cold breeze fought its way into the house scaring the little children who hid in the store room.
"Keep quiet, Julian," the eldest of the three stroked his hair and kissed it. "Father and mother are playing a game. When they are done, we will go out and join them, do you understand?"
The black haired boy of five nodded with a smile. He had no idea that it was no game. But their lives were in danger.
"How long are we going to wait here?" the other girl asked. She sat beside her older sister who was like a mother to her. "I'm scared, Isabella."
Isabella bit her lips. She did not know how long they were going to stay up here. Her father told her not to come out of the store no matter what.
It was a business meeting which might end up bad. Little in wildest imagination, did she ever think that this night would become her worst nightmare.
"We will wait, Rosa. Come here," She drew her into her arms and kissed her forehead as well. Rosa, her younger sister wanted to be treated like a kid all the time. She enjoyed her warm embrace.
After waiting for what it seemed like an hour, the children fell asleep leaving the older sibling awake. There was no way she would close her eyes knowing fully well that this night meeting in the house was unusual.
Father and mother always kept those guys away from the house…those guys that dressed in black suits. She saw the last one that entered the house.
He was tall and masculine. His black glasses hid those big eyes of his. His tattoos were ones that could not be ignored.
It was a viper, drew up to the neck. Also, it carried the famous logo of the underworld most richest and powerful Mafiso.
"No, please…H-ha-ve mercy…" Isabella heard her mother's voice. She wondered if something was going on in the living room. Her heart pounded within her chest. It was only a matter time, everything will be over.
By this time, Rosa and Julian were still sleeping. She drew the small mattress in front of her with her legs. Slowly and quietly, she let Rosa lie on it.
Julian did not let go of her when she lay him on the mattress. She kissed his forehead again and he let go of her hand.
"Oh, Julian…you don't know when to stop right?" She stroked his black curly hair before standing on her feet.
Looking at her siblings, Isabella smiled. At a young age, she was forced to look after her younger ones. Her parents were out during the day, working for the mafias who they debted to.
It was not easy seeing her parents coming back home looking so tired yet they were not able to pay off the debts even though they were rich.
In the mafia world, sometimes debts were paid by working for the creditor for the years, he or she mentioned in the agreement.
It was the same agreement her parents had with those men outside.
Isabela opened the door of the room and peeped outside. There was no sound except the voices coming from downstairs. There was a strong argument going on between her parents and the strangers.
Instead of walking on her feet and creating attention, she laid flat on her stomach and crawled to the staircase. She could see the men now.
Her parents were lying on the floor begging for their lives. The gang in the room were not there to joke. They came for business and it was clear that it was not going to end well for Mr. and Mrs. Mario.
The main door slowly opened and every eyes moved to the entrance. Isabella could not tell it all but her eyes beheld an expensive black pairs of shoes. Curiosity made her look up and she could see nothing interesting.
The guy who just entered the room wore a clean black suit. He was tall and muscular with a body of a handsome actor.
The other members of mob bowed to showed their respect as he walked to the center of the room. His face was hidden behind those big black glasses and a hat that was made for godfathers of the underworld.
He called one of his men and whispered to him.
"Who else in this house with us?" the man asked after stepping away from the godfather. His eyes moved faster than his lips, searching every corner of the room.
"Just my little son. He is harmless, godfather" Mr. Mario answered, looking up to see if any of his child was been held by the mob. There was no body which means the children listen to his instructions. He knew that Isabella was a strong girl. She would handle any instructions given to her even if it came in the middle of night when they were supposed to be sleeping like every normal kid out there.
"Your son?" the man kicked him on the stomach and he gushed out more blood. "I thought you said you lost your children last week in a car accident?"
Isabella froze. She had no idea that her parents lied to the mob and faked their death. Whatever reason it was, she knew it was for their protection.
She began to crawl back slowly and carefully.
"You fucking lie to us," the shortest of them moved around with a gun in his hand.
Isabella wondered if they were afraid of children. No child will be in position to stop them from doing what ever they came tonight to do.
"Ricco, go upstairs and get me that kid," He continued, ruffling his head.
The godfather was undisturbed. He requested for a lighter and big cigar. It was given to him and he hung it between his lips, drawing in the smoke "How old is the child?"
The men who were sent upstairs stopped.
Mr. Mario answered "Three years, sir."
"Hmm," it was the only sound he made when he removed the big cigar in between his lips. Already seated with legs crossed, he relaxed to the chair and enjoyed the smoke.
It was not very dark. Some of the lights were left on. His face was difficult to see nor assume. But there was something she was sure of- the tattoo on his hands.
Isabella knew what that snake and axe drawing on his hand meant. Every member of that particular family had it. She did not know the mob they belonged to but the tattoo was one that she would never forget in her life.
The bearers of it changed her life in just a few minutes. That day life taught Isabella a lesson- the heart of humans were more evil and dangerous she could ever imagine.
The sweet bed stories she was told were not real. What was real was that her family was going to meet their end, tonight and nobody give a fuck!
"You should not fumble nor waste our time because of a kid, Ricco" The godfather told them. He took the gun from the man standing beside him and aimed at Mr. Mario.
Isabella's heart skipped. She almost ran downstairs to beg for her dad's life but she remembered what they said. Only one child was in the house and he was three years. If they were caught with their lies, not only her will be killed. Her siblings as well.
The thought of watching her siblings die made her nauseous. She pressed her palm against her mouth and it was the perfect time for her. The shot was fired right at her dad's left leg.
Mrs. Mario screamed and moved to her husband. She tried to stop the blood with her head tie but it was too late. An axe went straight to the skin in between her shoulders and head.
Another shot was fired at her lifeless body making more blood to gushed out. The floor around her became a pool of blood.
Mr. Mario could not rushed to her side. No chance was given to him. The godfather let go the trigger and this time the shot went straight to his chest.
He threw the gun and one of the men caught it.
"Finish it and let them know that the message was passed," He left the house, while the men finished the task.
Isabella could not move or say a word. Her body betrayed her even though she wanted to go back and hug her siblings. How cruel were these men to have done this to her parents for a few dollars?
It was a normal night for every kid out there but it was the worst for Isabella and her siblings.
How could she ever live watching her parents being butchered like animals?
"Hey you," Ricco called out all of sudden. Could he have noticed her? Now what? Will he kill her as well?
Isabella was scared. She could not stand on her feet and answer to him. She looked in his direction and saw that it was not her.
But, Julian!