Riccardo

Prologue

My hands tremble as I sit in my old apartment, clutching onto my phone.

Silence surrounds me other then my leg bouncing and my heart beating loudly in my chest.

Just dial the numbers. Get it over and done with.

My thoughts are racing loud, giving me a irritating pain in my head. Taking an anxious breath, I dial down the numbers from the small piece of paper infront of me and press the call button.

I stare at the phone as it rings until it clicks and a mans voice speaks out, seemingly echoing across my run down home.

"Hello?" The man asks gruffly.

My eyes widen and I nervously clear my throat, practically forcing the words out. "Um, hi. Is this Francis Riccardo?"

A pause. "Yes. Who is this?"

My breath catches in my throat as I realize there's no going back now. I hesitate but before he gets sick of me and hangs up, I answer him. "My name is Aurora. My moms name is Navaeh Johnson."

Silence.

That's all I hear from the phone. By now a lump has formed in my throat and I feel sick to my stomach.

"You're Navaehs kid?" He asks sternly.

"Yes. And I know you are too."

He stays silent so I continue. "I-I know you don't know me and you owe me nothing but I could really use your help."

"Help with what?"

"Erm, moms gone. She's been gone for a few weeks and I don't know where she is. And social services are snooping around and I don't wanna end up in a care home." Not again. "And I know this is asking much since you don't know me but...I want you to help me get emancipated."

A rustling sound comes from behind the phone and I can picture him leaning up in shock as his next word words sounds confused and surprised. "And what makes you think I can help with that?"

"My mom told me that you have powerful friends. That you can get what you want, when you want. She didn't say how, or what you do, but she did tell me that practically nothing is out of your control. Even the law."

More silence. If it wasn't for his breathing on the other end, I would've thought he hung up on me. Then finally, "alright. I'll help you. But first, where are you?"

My eyes close and I breathe out in relief.

Trying not to cry in happiness, I tell him my address and hear a pen scribbling which is assurance enough for me that he has it written down.

"Alright. I'll see you soon." The call ends.

Soooo...how did I do? This isn't the first story I've written but it is the first one I've published. The rest have just been drafts throughout the years.

But honestly I have zero experience in writing so any tips will be extremely helpful :)

-Ana