The Girl Who Bit The Dust

Part 2

     Being jostled around on someone's shoulder, blindfolded, isn't the best way to wake up. I woke up to the sound of soft music playing. I couldn't tell where it was coming from but it sounded like there was an echo. While trying to gather my bearings, I noticed a change in the atmosphere. It seemed as though someone had sucked out all the air in the room. Suddenly, I felt myself being set down. I immediately lost balance and fell. I wanted this blindfold off.

     "Well, aren't you cute? You can take off the blindfold, amore," a feminine voice said, her accent blending her words.

     Oh, thank god. Wait, did she just call me cute?!

     I blushed, taking off the blindfold. In front of me were the three guys from the bakery and, at around five feet, a black haired beauty. I could feel myself blushing looking at her adorable appearance. She had waist length hair the color of ink, sun-kissed skin, and wore an autumn-colored jumper. Her eyes were a dark chocolate, holding secrets and pain. As I looked into her eyes, I wanted to comfort her, hold her saying everything would be okay.

     "What am I doing here?" I ask. As much as I want to get to know her, I want to get out of here. I want to live to see another sunrise.

     "You are here because I need to figure out what to do with you. You saw my men. I can't let you go now. The question is whether to get rid of you or not,"

     "Ma'am, if I may interject, she seems different. She said something strange when we finally caught up to her. Something about being cursed."

     "Oh? And what exactly did you say, little lamb?"

     She looked at me expectantly. Do I even have a choice? She'll kill me if I don't and there'll still be a chance of death after I tell her. I could feel myself start to sweat. My palms were sweating and I knew my face was turning a bright pink.

     "Um, why do you care so much? I-i mean why does it interest you?! I'm sorry if I offended you!"

     "It's okay, little lamb. You did not offend me. It interests me because you interest me. Now, tell me before I grow impatient."

     I didn't know why but I trusted her. She looked at me as if I were an anomaly, as if I wasn't some girl who couldn't even save her own skin. With that in mind, I told her. I went back to my childhood and the events that led up to my family being cursed. I told her that because of this, I never bothered trying to make friends. I never bothered learning new faces, never learned names. Eventually, people forgot about me. I was invisible. I didn't like it that way but I had to make sure that I didn't let anyone get close to me. They would be heartbroken when I finally left this world and I didn't want them to have to go through that pain.

     "Poor dear. You are far more interesting than I thought. That's it. I've decided. You will be living with us until you pass on from this life. I can't let you go because of what you witnessed but I won't kill you. Besides, having a cute little bunny in the family will be a pleasant change."

     I could feel myself blush again.

     I swear these pet names are going to be the death of me. Hehe. Death of me. I kill myself. Oh my goodness, stop it. You are not being reduced to bad puns just because a beautiful girl is calling you cute

     "What do you m-mean by family? What do you guys do, exactly?"

     "Why, mi amore, we're all a family here. We help and love each other. As for what we do, we do quite a bit of things. We loan organizations money as long as they pay us back, traffic goods across country borders, and ensure that no one rips us off. Mi amore, we're in the mafia and I'm the leader. I am Maria Elise Valentina Giovanni and I am leader of the Black Roses, a branch of the Italian Mafia. What is your name, little lamb?"

     I was in shock. This absolutely stunning woman was the leader to one of the top ten deadliest mafias to ever exist? I don't know whether to laugh at my luck or cry at having the worst luck ever. Then again, she looked friendly. Maybe we can get closer and become friends. I really hope that's the case.

     "My n-name's Annabelle. It's nice to meet you."

     "You're so adorable. Happy to meet me even after I tell you my identity. I hope you know that I can never let you go now. Especially now since you know of my identity and face. Get comfortable because you'll be here for quite a while," she laughed, a smile on her face. The look she gave me sent shivers down my spine. She was a dog getting a new bone. I really hoped I would be okay.