The Mafias Twisted Obsession

ear-Old

is the path

'm only eight. But I have seven tutors teaching me different things

ine like it's a religion-something you follow no matter what. He's cold with

me, his voice deep and sharp. "Be f

k. To make them afraid. I started handling a gun just two month ago and I practice every day how to shoot. Sometimes I go hunting with father too because he says it e

hment. Sometimes a slap, sometimes no dinner. The bruises on my arms and

acting like he's not the same man who punishes me for slipping up. He puts a han

ything because one day, I'll take over the family business. I have to be

ndless vineyards outside. I stand near the window, pretending to listen whil

er eyes distant like she doesn't want to be here. I know that feeling. I've felt it at differe

e room. The girl and with

g to notice me. The garden is massive-hedges trimmed into silly shapes, roses everywhere, making t

water like she wanted to wish upon it wi

"I'm Kaiza. A

ttling into something calmer. "I'm Coraline," she say

I say and listen to the breeze whistling and t

aving to talk and to just exist as a person. As a child and not wh

, I ask, "How

s, her voice is a

's been crying. I hesitate, then take her small hand an

re you

om died," she stutters in a whisper. "And my father... he doesn't c

I can barely even remeber what she looked like unless I stare at the tall painting of her that seats in fathers study just behind his chair on the wall. She was never a part of my life even before she died so I neve

"It's hard, isn't it? Trying

king. "Sometimes, I fee

u're not alone. I'm her

en smiles-a small, shaky smile, but i

when I said I'd protect her. But in that moment,

lding onto something ne

from the house. She sighs, standin

she says, looking down at me. "But

"Yes, C

ight lights of the house. I watc

again, my