You Rescued Me

It happend on a perfectly normal day in the gelato shop. I was working with Mamma Rossi, scooping out dozens and dozens of gelato flavors for the eager customers. It was impossible to be unhappy whilst working so busily doing somethine I loved, with someone I loved, for people I loved. No matter what kind of mood I had been in, as soon as I came into the shop I was perfectly happy. 

I'm sure this was because of how wonderful Mamma Rossi was. This amazing Italian lady had taken me in when I was a bambina piccola, as she called me, because my parents were both killed in a car accident when I was barely one. 

I've always kind of imagined that I was like Harry Potter because of the accident and all, except that Mamma Rossi was leaps and bounds ahead of the Dursleys as far as love goes, and I've yet to find an interesting scar on my body that links me to the Dark Lord. 

Plus, as much as I hate to admit it, I don't think I'm a wizard. 

Ever since I can remember I've been helping out Mamma Rossi in her gelato shop, La Zona del Gelato. Gelato is Italian ice cream, and it's seriously the best thing you will ever put in your mouth. I guess despite how disastrous my life started out, I've always considered myself pretty damn lucky to live in an ice cream shop. 

I think Mamma Rossi felt that way, too. Even when she was clearly exhausted and would run her wrinkled hand through her gray hair, she always had time to smile and chat with her costumers while she custom-made their gelato. And I mean, she did pretty well money-wise so that's always a plus. 

I loved her so much. She taught me everything she knew about life, the world, and most importantly, unconditional love. 

Oh, and Italian.

~

I still remember everything about the day it happened. We were just starting to close up the shop after a busy day. My friend and coworker, Darcy, had just gone home. I was in the back, sweeping while Mamma Rossi cleaned the counters up front, our usual routine. 

She called to me. "Andiamo, Megan! Let's go!" 

"Just a minute- I'm almost done!" I yelled back. 

That's when it happened. I heard the windows smash. Mamma Rossi screamed. I ran up to the front and gasped to see a huge man holding a gun to her head. 

I ducked low under the counter trying not to be seen as I scrambled for my phone. Where the hell was it? I realized I'd left it in the back, but if I went back there he'd probably see/hear me. I couldn't think. Everything was swimming before my eyes. 

"You'll unlock the register and give me the money, lay face down on the ground, and count to 350 after I leave. Got it?" He ordered. "But first, tell me this: is anyone else here?" He twisted her arm harshly and I heard a crack. Mamma Rossi gasped. 

"Is there anyone else here?" He yelled. 

I knew she wasn't going to give me away. 

"No, I'm alone," she struggled to breathe. 

He threw her to the ground. Her head hit the floor with a loud thunk and I saw blood through her gray hair. I was still completely petrified. 

"Unlock the register!" 

Mamma Rossi dragged herself to her feet and did as he ordered. The man pushed her away again. She used his temporary distraction to grab the wall telephone. He had just stuffed all the money in his pockets when he heard her dialing the police. 

"What do you think you're doing?" He growled.

I saw him advance towards her as he reached inside his jacket. Everything seemed to move in slow motion.

I saw the knife glint. It was then I could suddenly move again. I leapt towards them, arms outstretched, screaming to Mamma Rossi, praying for her to be alright. 

Just seconds later, I heard the sickening thump as her body hit the floor. The knife was sticking out of her chest. 

He had killed her. 

The man turned to face me. "Who the hell are you?" He demanded, "She said we were alone." 

I knew I had to start running. I leapt over the overturned chairs and broken glass. I dashed out the door. His heavy breathing was close behind me--much too close. 

I wasn't much of a runner, but I guess having a murderer chase you with a knife is enough motivation for anyone. I was booking it, much faster than I thought was possible. 

The street was abandoned. All the other shops had closed up. Turning down an alley-way, I decided to use my smaller size to my advantage. I ducked around all the dumpsters. I think a homeless man whistled at me as I ran by. 

I turned down another street, this one slightly more populated. All of a sudden, I slammed into another body, so hard that I fell to the ground. 

I lay there for a few seconds, winded and exhausted. 

"Oh my god, are you ok?" I heard a deep, kind voice ask.

I opened my eyes. Someone was bending over me, a guy with a really worried expression on his face. A really hot guy. He offered me his hand to pull me up. 

"I'm not ok! I'm not ok at all. That man is chasing me. He's got a knife" I pointed to him. "I've got to get away from here!" 

The guy I'd bumped into pulled me into the nearest alley. "Let's go!" 

I could see my pursuer behind us. 

"My name's Finn! Finn Harries!" the hot guy yelled. 

"I'm Megan Vandewalle!" 

"Pleasure to meet you, even in these conditions!" He shouted back. 

"Where're we going?" I yelled.

"The police station; it's just around the corner!" 

And suddenly we were there, instantly surrounded by policemen as Finn told them what was going on. I knew I was safe. The last thing I knew saw was Finn's face, close to mine, and his arms around my shoulders as I collapsed.