Created by the devil

Keep me in your heart.

There they lay in front of the fire, tangled in each other's arms. They hold onto each other as if the world were perishing. Tommy has been in a deep sleep for a while, but Gia can't keep her mind off what might happen once the phone goes off.

Tommy is dreaming of hopeful things, which for him is the first time in a couple of years. It's only when he's blackout drunk that he doesn't have bad dreams about the war.

Gia's eyes are focused on the lights that are on in the hallway. That's when she hears the awful sound. As if she were waiting on a train to lead her to even more awful things. Whatever will be said on the other line will not be good, but on which level?

She loosens herself from his arms and walks over to the phone in the hallway, closing the door to be sure he doesn't hear her. She looks at the phone before picking it up slowly. She puts it against her ear but doesn't say a single word.

She hears her brother sniffle. "Angel?" She questions with her brows furrowed. For the first time in hours, the poor man can finally sit down and acknowledge what has happened.

"Tell me." Gia pushes him for more information. "We lost." That is all he needs to say for Gia to close her eyes in regret. She takes a couple of seconds to wave the pain in her voice.

"Who's hurt?" She asks, afraid of the answer. "Pa is, we're losing him. Gia, we need you." Her brother pleads with her.

She leans against the sideboard with the phone against her lips; she knows what she has to do. She puts the phone slowly against her ear and tells him. "We didn't lose yet. I'll be on my way." And she puts the phone down.

Gia can't believe it. Tommy was right; hope is a tricky thing. She hoped that they were stronger than they told her, but they weren't. Her father is a great example of that. How could her whole world crumble down in a couple of seconds? she asks herself.

Her family is in great need of help, yet she feels guilty for thinking about what will happen to Tommy once she leaves. Would he just go on with his days, or would he be swept off the map? She keeps on asking herself questions while getting dressed and packing light.

Writing him a note is the least she can do. It can't be too long because she doesn't know how deep their connection runs for him.

Dear Tommy,

Don't be alarmed; we will see each other again. Whether that's when I'm in a wooden box or when we're both lying down on a bed talking about our past and perhaps our future, if there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart; I'll be there forever.

Yours truly, Giovanna.

She closes the paper perfectly and leaves a kiss mark on it with her red lipstick before putting it down on his long black vest. She looks at him one more time before making her way to Mario's. The next period of time was going to be one she dreaded going into.

But the emotion she feels strongest isn't hate or fear; it is guilt. She feels guilty for leaving Tommy, but she would even feel more guilt if she stayed.