Angel With A Shotgun | 18+

thirty six

AMARA CABOT

It was the day before Christmas and I was browsing the mall shops, window shopping while Giovanni walked briskly beside me.

"I have no idea what to get Marco." I hummed, "Nothing. I doubt he got you anything, so don't bother." He shrugged, "We don't even have a tree up, Mar. Come on." 

I slapped his chest and he glared at me. 

Alec and I weren't exactly on speaking terms. After I had ranted to Giovanni about everything, he went and told Alec how I felt. Which I didn't appreciate. But I get that I kind of put Gio in the middle of everything.

And then Gio told me that Alec felt bad, so Alec said I had an unlimited amount of spending money for Christmas presents. So it's kind of a win-wind situation? Kind of?

"Still, what does he like?" I said.

We had passed a bunch of stores. Like a game stop, a sports shop. I had stopped by the bookstore and purchased a few new books for Finn that's been ranting about, as well as some new painting supplies. Brushes, pallets, stuff like that.

And then I got Joey a kid-sized skateboard and some film for his Polaroid camera. 

I had made sure I got Giovanni's gift wrapped in the store so he couldn't see it. He was itching to know, giving me weird suggestions as to what it is based on the shape. Little does he know, I made sure the shape was different, too.

"Oh I give up. It's cold and I'm hungry. Can we go." Giovanni grumped, sighing.

I laughed, the tip of his nose as red and his boots were sloshed in snow. I shrugged, "Sure. But we have to stop by the watch store first." I said.

Giovanni laughed, "The watch store, really?" 

"What?"

"Do you mean Cartier?" I shrug, "Whatever."

After we arrived home shortly after and I was satisfied with my purchases.

"Where do you want these?" Giovanni panted, lugging the bags through the door, I giggled, "In my room please." I smiled.

He nodded and headed to my room, "Esther." I called, and found her in the kitchen, "Where's Alec?" I asked.

Esther smiled warmly, "He's at his Fathers house. Something about wedding preparations?" 

My heart sunk low and I nodded, exiting the kitchen before finding my way back to my room. When I entered, I saw Giovanni shaking his present, "Gio!" I said.

He jumped and dropped his gift, "Put it down!" I laughed, taking the present from him and putting it under my pillow. He whined, "I just want to know what it is." He stomped his foot, "You'll find out tomorrow. Now, where's the Christmas tree?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean is there a cupboard where you guys store it or, a garage or something?"

Giovanni looks like he's just seen a ghost, "We buy pine trees. Like, from a supplier." He says. I put my hands on my hips, "And where is this tree supplier?"

Giovanni shrugs, "Manhattan, I think." 

+ + + 

We dragged the tree to the car, scraping it along the snow as I began to pant, "This tree is way heavier than I thought." 

I was enjoying spending today with Giovanni. He was fun to be around, and didn't make me feel like a loser. "How do we tie it?"

Giovanni pulled the ties from the tree and looped it around the car. He just managed to lift it onto the roof before he screamed as it began to fall.

I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee!

But just as the wind picked up, my good day was ruined by a bad feeling. My stomach tingled as I shook from the cold, "We better get going. This snow is coming down hard and we don't wanna get stuck on the highway." I said. Gio nodded. 

"I'm just gonna tie this at the back and then I'll meet you in the car."

But after five minutes, still no Giovanni.

And after seven minutes, I was worried. I was filled with dread as I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, closing it behind me. Giovanni had given me the keys as I zipped them in my pocket on the inside, stuffing my hands into my coat pockets.

"Gio?" I called, hearing no response.

The snow was piling up on the ground, completely drenching my feet as it started to pile up to my shins. I trudged through the snow, scanning the almost empty parking lot, seeing nobody.

Fuck fuck fuck! I scrambled for the emergency phone installed in the car and dialled the only number I had memorised. But after calling twice and hearing no response, I gave up. 

Shit, "Giovanni?" I screamed, my throat raw from the screaming, "Gio come on. Stop playing, it's not funny!" 

I noticed the back of the car was tied and thought he was playing a joke on me, but the slight dent in the snow that looked like something had been dragged through it, worried me.

The news said there was a blizzard on the way but I hadn't believed it until now. Until I couldn't see anything past a few feet, I screamed out for him, my voice echoing in the snow air.

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned around, not before I saw a fist come flying at my face.

+ + + 

After I had regained consciousness I felt groggy, and my face hurt like a bitch.

"Where am I?" I groaned, struggling to sit up. Once I did, I felt all the blood rush from my head to my body and my fingertips tingled. I saw a mop of blonde hair beside me, "Giovanni!" I said, "Shh." He said, placing a bloodied finger to his lips, "Where are we?" I whispered, "In the back of a car." He whispered back.

And as if my worst fears had come true, the car stopped. I heard voices outside despite the thundering rain and then someone was tapping on the car. I began to freak out, "It's okay. I'm gonna get us out of this, I promise."

The car boot opened and I shielded my face from the harsh lighting, squinting my sore face. Someone gripped my arms and yanked me out, then Giovanni. He looked bad.

His face was all bruised and bloody and his clothes were dirty, signs of struggle.

I saw a glimpse of the docks, the memories of that night with Victor shaking me to the core, "Your little buddies aren't able to save you now." A thick, Irish accent cackled, twisting my wrists into an uncomfortable position behind my back. 

Giovanni thrashed in the persons arms, as did I. But it was no use, they were much stronger than us.

Suddenly, a scream ripped from my throat as a massive foot smashed through the icy water and my head was dunked under. It felt like I was being stabbed with a million different icicles and my face felt numb.

Then, my whole body was pushed under. 

I heard a splash and Giovanni was next. 

The ice was already forming over the hole they had created as I struggled to move my frozen limbs to the top. I smashed my fists under the ice, trying to scream or panic as I held my breath. Giovanni helped, and the fading image of the men who had carried us were no longer.

I could barely see Giovanni anymore but I felt my body give up. Gio grabbed onto me so I knew he was there, but it was no use.

We were going to die.

+ + + 

Newoknwronicw Why do I do this to myself?

Lol, I love Giovanni. Hate the Irish. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! <3

Xx