In the shadow of Naples

4.

At the dealership, I saw the car immediately. The shiny black paint, the sleek shape, and the luxurious look drew me in straight away. I knew I didn't need to look any further. Without hesitation, I agreed to the purchase, signed the papers, and within an hour, the car was mine. The excitement of the moment overwhelmed me; I felt invincible as I drove through the streets of Naples in my new car.

With my heart full of joy, I decided to drive to the city center to buy some items for my new home, including a hat and a fan to deal with the Neapolitan heat. Strolling through the narrow streets, I visited various shops and a lively market where I bought fresh vegetables and fruit. The atmosphere was relaxed, people were laughing and chatting, but there was also a strange tension in the air. It was as if everyone knew something I didn't, a secret that remained unspoken.

Suddenly, chaos erupted. People ran in panic, screaming and desperately seeking cover. Armed men stormed the street and began shooting randomly. My heart pounded in my throat as I, gripped by fear, ducked into a narrow alley and hid behind a cupboard. The sound of gunshots echoed terrifyingly close, and every shot made the ground beneath me tremble.

Then I saw the unthinkable: a man fell right in front of me, a bullet piercing his skull, hitting him squarely between the eyes. The terror consumed me entirely. I barely dared to breathe, my body frozen in shock. When I cautiously peeked around the cupboard, I met the gaze of a man with icy blue eyes. His jet-black hair hung nonchalantly over his face, which was tense with concentration. Everything about him radiated authority and danger; his presence filled the alley with a menacing energy. At that moment, I knew this man was the most intimidating being I had ever encountered. Compared to him, my father seemed like a lapdog.

The silence that followed was deafening. It was as if time had stopped, as if the world held its breath. When I emerged from my hiding place, I saw three men lying in a pool of their own blood. The reality of what had just happened hit me like a bomb. "What the hell just happened?" I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else.

A woman about my age stood next to me. She looked at me, her eyes speaking volumes. "This was a hit," she said softly, almost as if she was afraid someone would hear us. "There's a war going on between two mafia families."

"But... I've never seen you around here before," she continued, her gaze curious. "I'm Maria."

"I'm Bailey," I replied, still trembling from the shock.

"You're not from here, are you?" Maria examined me with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"No, I'm not," I answered. "I'm from London. I only arrived yesterday."

Maria nodded, but her face darkened. "You couldn't have picked a worse time to come. The mafia has crawled out of their holes and is terrorizing the city. Naples is ruled by bloodshed."

"Mafia?" I asked, surprised. "I thought that didn't really exist."

"I'm sorry, but they're very real, and they rule here. Did you research life in Naples before you decided to move here?" Her disbelief was evident in her voice.

I bit my lip and suddenly felt very naive. "No, actually not. When I got the opportunity from work to come here, I said yes right away. I just wanted to get away from a certain situation and start a new life."

Maria sighed. "Well, prepare for an exciting new beginning. But believe me, you didn't choose the best place to start fresh. People are trying to leave this place."

"But isn't Italy the most loved country by Europeans?"