Stain [H.S] - Major Editing

38

Morning came. It was the day of the meeting. I was ready more than ever. I didn't have the heart to tell Fry where I was going, or when I'm coming back. Waking him up at five in the morning and breaking down like a weakling would only hurt the both of us, him the most, so I had to let him go - temporarily.

I knew I was being a coward, but at that moment, I figured leaving him with the McGregor Family was the wisest thing to do. Greg promised me to take care of him. Fry will be safe in this house. Give him a year and he'll recover. He'll recover without me. He'll hate me for this; he'll probably even force himself to forget about me. But that's fine. It's all part of some predetermined plan, as Harry once told me. At some point I knew I had to leave Fry anyway. That's just how life works. I had a choice. Stay or leave. Everything's a choice. Every minute is a choice. To be or not to be. Put on a war mask or throw it away.

I had to swallow my weak emotions and replace them with strong ones. The strong ones last. Fry needn't know of my whereabouts or my motives. Leaving this city, to leave everything behind me, would be the best thing to do. Besides, I know I'll be safe with Harry.

"Come on. We have to move," he told me, and I hated myself for spacing out again. I shook my head a few times, as if shaking off the stars, and focused my attention on the shiny black '67 Impala parked in front of me. It was Greg's. A proper mobster's car, I tell you.

Greg was standing by the door, accompanied by three wiseguys carrying Tommy guns. He approached me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Did Harry tell you to...ah...drop the gun right away?"

"Yeah, a million times," I said firmly.

"You don't forget: two shots apiece in the head soon as you come out the door, alright?"

I nodded. "How long do you think it'll be before I can come back?"

"At least a year, Alice. Listen...I'll square it with Fry - you know, you're not seeing him before you leave. And don't worry about the mess. You know what Alberto said, we're gonna catch the hell. We'll have Liam and Zayn back. Everything will be okay. I'll promise you that." Greg pulled me close for a brief embrace and said, "Take care, Alice," then to Harry, "Whatever you do, don't let her out of your sight. Prendersi cura di nostra sorella, understand?"

Harry nodded. I got in the car and settled myself in the front seat. I felt strange. I was to commit murder yet felt nothing at all. Maybe a little apprehensive but that was it.

"Niall and Jeff will be waiting for you in the airport. Got your clothes 'n stuff packed." Greg said as Harry hopped in the driver's seat. He patted the car's roof and bent over, smiling down at us. "So, this is it, eh? We're proud of you, Alice. You're probably the bravest lass I ever met. The entire Mob's proud of you. Always remember that. The Family's got your back. And...uh...we'll see you two in a year. Harry."

"See you, Greg." Harry said lowly.

We drove out the estate in silence. I could tell he was nervous and angry. His posture was stiff and his mouth was twisted in such a deep frown it looked like it would hurt his face. His frustration and ire was almost palpable, radiating from his rigid posture and his expression and the way he gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

"Hey, everything's gonna be fine," I said softly, attempting to soothe him a bit. "Don't worry about me. You taught me well. You can count on me."

"Alice," he sighed gravely, "I know you can do it. It's just...I'm very worried...about you. This. Everything. It's my obligation to protect you from these people yet here I am, allowing all of this to happen. Tomlinson's got his guerilla posse all over the country. Got connections in Europe too. They'll be looking for us, you. You do realize you'll be starting a full-blown war here, right? The New York Families will be ganging up on Morrison and Tomlinson's men. Some Families might pick on the Costello Family too, on the McGregor Family, for disrupting the peace. It's all bad blood and revenge. It's complicated. And it's going to be nasty." he said, eyes narrowed in concentration.