Finally the Ceremony begins. First, the prayer offerings in the holy premises. A large empty room with two doors for the purpose of entry and exit only.
The scent of mahogany and olive oils is so pure the room feels like a warm grass field breezy embrace or a brand new church.
All candidates of the initiation Ceremony are expected to know the prayer of acceptance, it is a lesson only taught once and nevermore. If a made man we're to be made of anybody, remembering the prayer lessons is a crucial first step. The rest of the initiation is random and determined by the conduct.
There are six of us present in the room with the priest, my sister Quinncel and I, Sebastian, from the Cyro house of Italy. It's true we are adopted, we get endless questions and constantly have to deal rumours about our controversial relationship with our father. I don't blame them, it's not everyday a crime boss known for countless massacres has the urge to adopt children to take care of. I must do him proud by protecting my siblings from such harsh conditions with the help of the family's power.
It's no doubt that Quinn and I will eventually go head to head for a last stand, hurting her is the last thing I want to do. However if it means protecting her, without hesitation. I'm at least greatful that the rest of the people in the room are not actual competition. Each initiation candidate seeks validation from their family to qualify as a member of the Mafia.
I'm not even bothered about the Balls for brains Andreas Piero standing right next to me. A little too close I might add. No doubt he's just trying to dig for trouble. Nothing new. Then again, he is a descendant of the most famous and rich Egyptian crime family.
Arab prick!
In fact, Andreas is the Piero family's only son in two generations. Needless to say his trash attitude is assisted by his family's constant over pampering.
The last three candidates are best known to as us the veri filiiΒ translateΒ to English, I believe it meansΒ 'True sons'. They are descendants of the original Mafia society, blood relatives to five families fixated in new York city.
Talk about mafia royalty.
We are all here to rightfully earn our titles, at least that's what any rookie would think. To put it plainly an initiation is a first impression for any Associate to Impress the Conduct , a body of honoured men responsible for accepting new members to the family.
Impressing the conduct is an automatic headstart to becoming an influential man of honour.
The large doors open silently wide and in walks the first man of the conduct, the priest. Appointed by the five Dons the priest holds sole responsibility for each made-member initiated under his regime.
"Offer your prayers, your initiation has begun" he voiced quite loudly for an old man in robes. The sound of the large doors slamming shut echoes harshly through the large empty space.
I seemed to be the only person affected by the loud thud as I glanced sideways to see everyone else with their bowed heads and closed eyes already praying silently.
An opening prayer is simple and optional, if you believe in a heavenly factor simply ask for grace.
Oh heavenly father you know my intentions are true, give the me wisdom and strength to pull through today's trial. Amen.
"Well done lasters , your prayers have been heard. I'll let the Prophet take over the ceremony now, hopefully, your heard prayers will be answered" The priest is strikes his metal staff on the wooden floors twice causing a mono tuned echo and In no time the giant doors behind us fly open and he walks out of the holy premises with his foot steps fading with each stride until he exits the room completely.
As soon as the doors behind us close the ones in front of us are flung open and below and low and behold an all too familiar face walks in.
Prophet Jeremiah. Just as the priest holds sole responsibility for the entire initiation ceremony, prophet Jeremiah is responsible for the baptism of initiation candidates. He is the second man of the conduct. I know this because when Reina was adopted, my father had him personally baptize her on her naming convention.
Today I will get baptized by him, but not just any baptism, a Mafia's rite of passage. Baptism by water and fire.
Prophet Jeremiah leads us through the open doors, outside the empty room to the baptism fonts.
Here lies a pool of fresh pig's blood red andΒ odourless.
A ring of fire on the floor with a pedestal table in the middle which holds six black cards. One for each candidate, these cards play a major role in our initiation. They reveal an omen and this omen influences the oath we take.
Lastly an indoor natural spring waterfall which spills into a giant colourless pool. No baptism is ever truly complete without water.
Trust me when I say this, baptism is the easiest part of any initiation.
"Mr Sebastian Cyro" the prophet called taking off his robe revealing his black T-shirt and black trousers "This way" he ushered as I took off my suit, watch and shoes dropping them on the floor right next to the wall.
"By fire" the prophet spoke firmly "You are born a new" with a deep breath I stepped into the ring the and so did the prophet the floor is extremely hot and I can smell my feet starting to roast.
"Pick a card Mr Cyro" I glanced down at the pedestal which had six black blank cards laid on it. I picked up a random card and it revealed an inscription in Gold. NOBLE
I've never heard of a 'Noble' Man of honour before
"It's been quite a while since any family has welcomed a noble member" Jeremiah studied in awe "I'll teach you the nobility oath, repeat after me"
"π, πππππ¬ππ’ππ§ ππ²π«π¨, π π«ππ―ππ₯π² π―π¨π° π°π’ππ‘ ππ‘π π π¨π«π π¨π π¦π² ππ₯π¨π¨ππ₯π’π§π, π§π¨π ππ¨ π¬π©π’π₯π₯ ππ‘π ππ₯π¨π¨π π¨π ππ§π² π₯ππ¦π ππ¬ π₯π¨π§π ππ¬ π ππ«ππ° ππ«ππππ‘. ππ’ππ‘ ππ‘π’π¬ π¨πππ‘ π’ π°π’π₯π₯ π₯π’π―π ππ§π ππ’π π ππ¨ππ₯π."
Wonderful, I'm pledging to be a pacifist!
I step out of the ring with my card in my hand, fuming not just because at this point I'm half cooked but I am also by default a secondary member of the Mafia, I have little to noΒ responsibility of the Mafia's major affairs.
Soon after Quinn steps out of the ring barefooted with her card in her hand. she takes no time at all to flash it in my face. ππ¨π ππ¨ππ‘ππ«
I might as well feed my balls to the vultures, I have never felt so fucking useless in my life!.
I stay numb for the rest of the baptism, not even pig's bile nor the fact that Quinn gladly gulped a mouthful with joy could phase me out of my trance.
How am I supposed to shelter my family if I'm not even allowed to be associated with the grand family's primary function.
ππππ£π'π¨ πππ;
I know brother Sebby and Aunty Quinncel are always fighting, but they don't like fighting when I'm around. I really hope they don't fight while I'm with Nana, I'll bring back a lot of cake if they don't.
We're going the wrong way
Usually Uncle Tio takes me to Nana everyday after school, but Espe is sick and Uncle Tio has to take care of her, so Uncle Tio can't take me to Nana today. Mr Vendal is brother Sebby's new driver and he has only been to Nana's place once, maybe he forgot the way.
"Mr Vendal" I called for his attention " We missed the road to Nana's house, from picket alley, it's two right turns and a left, but you missed the first right turn already "
Brother Sebby always says that the people around are only here to help and if they make a mistake I should point it out respectfully.
"Mr Vendal?" I called again but he's only driving faster straight ahead, he's not taking any turns and he's not answering me.
Brother SebbyΒ always tells me that if no one listens to me I should report it to him, but he also says I should not disturb him when he's at a party.
My school Teacher also says we should call the number 911 if we ever feel we are in trouble away from home.
I quietly unbuckle my seatbelt to sit on the car floor and quickly dial the numbers 911 on the screen at the back ofΒ Mr Vendal's seat, but it's not ringing.
Call failed.
The car is brought to a sudden halt and my face crashed with the back of Mr Vendal's seat
My nose hurts
Mr Vendal opens the door beside me and covers my nose and mouth with his handkerchief. It smells awful and I decide to scream for Brother Sebby to hear me and help me. I don't like Mr Vendal at all.
But I don't think brother Sebby can hear me because I'm very tired of pushingΒ Mr Vendal awayΒ I can't even hear my voice anymore.