𝑳𝑰𝑩𝑬𝑹𝑻À

𝟏𝟑. 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

CHIARA:

We've been running for a solid ten minutes. It feels like my lungs will give out any second when my mother finally grabs a hold of arm and yanks me down an allyway. We've managed to outrun them – again. But I know that we both can't keep doing this forever. One day we'll slip up. One day their bullets wont miss, our agility will start to decrease and one day they'll finally have us.

My back is pushed up against the brick wall as my mothers arm digs into my chest, she's seething through her teeth.

"Oh are you tired Chi Chi?" Her patronizing tone feels like knives on my skin, "Well not as tired as me. One day I won't be here and you'll have to fend for yourself. If it was my way I would have handed you over years ago but I know your father would curse me from his grave. So you better fucking wish my exhaustion doesn't win one day Chi Chi. You better wish."

Her grasp around my neck tightens before she lets go, causing me to come flying down the stone wall that she levitated me off. I didn't realise how high she managed to lift me with just her left hand, I'm waiting for my feet to meet the concrete once again but I just keep falling down

And down

And down

Until my face meets the cement.

My eyes shoot open and my hand automatically flies up to my face, checking for any scratches.

It it was just a nightmare.

I try to calm down my breathing, deep breath in and a deep breath out.

I turn to pick up my phone from my nightstand, the time reads 5:45 AM. I unlock my phone with a swipe and open up WhatsApp to check this weeks schedule for Café de Zoe. I let out a sigh of relief when I see I don't have to work today or tomorrow but the rest of the week starting Wednesday. I spend the next half hour scrolling through social media, envying all of the models living their best lives in Tulum and the influencers soaking up the sun in Italy.

Closing the app with irritation, I place my phone back down beside me. I try to close my eyes with the hope that I'll fall back into a sleep, even if it's for another hour but it just won't come so I rip off the duvet and make my way to the bathroom to start my day.

After finishing doing my business I flush the chain and wash my hands. I open the drawer to grab my face wash when I notice a brand new tube of toothpaste- children's toothpaste. It has a sticky yellow note attached to it that reads.

"Come see me when you wake up, - De Santo"

I can't help my heart from erupting at this sweet gesture and my cheeks are already beginning to ache from smiling so widely. I rip open the box and brush my teeth once I finish cleansing my face, before switching off the light and heading to my chest of drawers. I throw on the new riding gear I bought yesterday; a black long sleeve zip up and matching black jodhpurs with a brown patch under the calf.

As I make my way down the long hall, I pass by Mattia and Arlettes room as well as the communal bathroom. I'm left with three bedrooms remaining, each door coated with the same white polish making it indistinguishable to know who lays behind each one. I hear a door open behind me and turn to face Arlette, she has bed head and puffy eyes yet she still manages to glow like an angel. I wave to her with a smile

"Which one is Leandros?" I mouth whilst pointing towards the three doors before me.

She waves back, showcasing her pearly whites and I can't help but gawp at them in admiration. "None of them" she retorts back, causing me so much confusion until she points to the second set of stairs in the far right corner behind me. I understand now.