Evelina

(xiv)

Vincenzo

Cold. That's the only way I can describe what I feel now. The chill isn't just from the damp, stone walls of the cell or the freezing metal chains biting into my wrists. It's deeper. Inside me. A numbness that's settled into my bones. I've been tortured for hours—days maybe—over information I don't have, about people I barely know. Like Queen. They keep asking, but I have no clue who she is.

My body feels weak, and every breath is a reminder of the beatings. The bruises throb beneath my skin, each one a mark of their cruelty. But worse than the physical pain is the loneliness. I miss everyone. Tony, Papà, Mamà... but most of all, I miss Evelina. Her words, from so long ago, are the only thing keeping me from falling apart.

---

(Flashback)

"Why is your skin black and blue?" Six-year-old me had asked the new girl in our house. She looked at me with those sad eyes and patted my head.

"What's your name, little one?" she asked softly.

"Vincenzo Giannino. What's yours?"

"Eve. Eve Morrigan," she said, offering a small smile despite the bruises on her face.

"Now, about your question. I met some bad people. They're not like your Papà and Mamà. They're mean, and all they do is beat you and torture you to be something you don't want to be."

Her words confused me then. "H-How can beating a kid make someone happy?" I asked.

Eve sighed, her eyes distant. "Because, Enzo, they're bad people. And bad people find happiness in hurting others."

"Bad people?" I repeated, my small mind struggling to comprehend.

She nodded. "When you're older, I'll explain it more. But don't worry. If it ever happens to you, I'll try to save you. If I don't safe you in time, do one thing. Don't cry. It makes them happy." She says as she tucks me in.

I clung to her words, "What if... what if you can't? Will they take you away?"

She smiled again, softer this time. "No, Enzo. They won't. Because you'll stop them, won't you?"

I nodded confidently, wanting to believe her. "I will."

---

(Flashback Over)

Eve, I kept my promise. I'm not crying. So please, keep yours and come save me. I don't think I can take it much longer.

The creaking of the cell door pulls me from my thoughts. The sound echoes in the dark room, making the chains rattle slightly.

"Little boy, you ready to talk?" Aiden's voice cuts through the silence, his presence menacing.

I keep my eyes closed, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.

I hear footsteps approaching, then a sharp pain stabs through my lower abdomen as one of his men kicks me. My body involuntarily curls in on itself, but still, I remain silent.

"Don't cry. It makes them happy." Eve's voice whispers in my head, her words keeping me steady.

"What do you want?" I ask finally, my voice cold and detached, even though I feel the blood dripping from my mouth.

Aiden stands in front of me, his arms crossed as if this were some kind of casual conversation. "Who is 'Queen'?"

"I don't know," I answer, forcing the words out.

Aiden sighs dramatically. "Wrong answer, kid. Where's the seal?"

Again, I shake my head. "I don't know. I'm not even in the mafia yet. Tony won't let me in until I am mature enough. I don't know about the seal, or the Queen, or any of this."

Aiden looks at me with a mix of pity and frustration, shaking his head. "Not what I wanted to hear." He gestures to his men. "Boys, hit him again. Then bring him his new roommate."

The blows come hard and fast, and by the time they're done, I can barely keep my eyes open. More blood pools beneath me, but I refuse to cry. I will not give them that satisfaction.

I hear the door open and close once more, but this time, it's not Aiden or his men. There's a small sound—like a whimper. My mind, dazed by the pain, takes a second to process it.

I force my eyes open, and there, in the dim light, I see a girl crouching in the corner. Long red hair hangs in front of her face, but something about her... she looks like Eve when I first met her. Fragile. Scared.

Our eyes meet, and I manage a weak smile, despite everything. She hesitates for a moment before giving me a small, shy smile in return. Slowly, as if unsure of what to do, she stands and walks toward me, her steps tentative.

I watch her carefully, wondering who she is and why she's here. As she gets closer, the resemblance to Eve becomes even more striking. It's like looking at a shadow of the past.

"Are you okay?" she whispers, her voice trembling.

I don't answer right away. My body screams in pain, and I can barely form a coherent thought. But I nod, more for her sake than mine.

Her eyes well up with tears, but she doesn't let them fall. Just like Eve told me not to cry.

"Who are you?" I rasp, my throat dry.

She bites her lip, glancing around nervously. "My name is... Vera. Vera Louise." She pauses, searching my face for something. "And I think we're both in a lot of trouble."