The Hunt 

SARIAN

 For a moment my heart thuds against my ribs as I stood motionless. I was crushed by the weight of his words even though he had walked away like he never was there.

 Tell him that Don Julio was here.

The words kept making my heart beat and I started sweating profusely.

Don Julio Rossini, The Jaguar like he was called. My father had stolen from him and now I was in trouble and in danger.

My chest tightened making it impossible for me to breathe and I felt tears rolling down my eyes.

He had been the one watching me. For how long? Did he know where Father was?

 I must leave this place now.

With my head spinning, I turned and went for the back door.

 For months I have been employed at this club, always keeping my head down and avoiding trouble. 

And now that man—the mafia boss—just drew me into his world and now I wasn't sure if I might live to the next day. I got home after a thirty-minute ride.

 I heard footsteps behind me as my hand was on the door handle. 

I froze and turned slowly and saw him leaning against the wall.

“I never expected you to come back home quickly.” He drew. “ I wanted you to dance for me.”

I thought he had left for good. So leaving was actually coming to my apartment to wait for me.

My stomach dropped and fear overpowered me. I opened my mouth to say something and with the speed which lightning would envy, he slammed me against the wall.

The air was heavy with tension as his face was inches from mine. 

“Federico never told me he had such a beautiful daughter.”

His voice has become a deadly whisper. “I think I'll reconsider it if you tell me where he is, I won't cut his throat, I promise.”

I was shaking and my heart was hammering so that I could hear it. 

“If I knew where he was, I would have told you.”

 I croaked, tears rolling down my eyes.

He curled his lips into a tiny menacing smile and asked.

“If you don't tell me where your father is, I might / do what's on my mind.”

I looked up at him.

“I will set this house on fire when I find your father myself.” He said as he leaned closer and whispered. “ I'll set him ablaze and your sister too.”

His hands tightened on my wrist almost painfully as I tried to pull away. 

“Please,” I begged. “ Don't do anything to my sister. If I knew where my father was, I would have told you.”

But he said nothing.

“I'll pay you whatever he owes you, any amount.”

For a moment something softer—something like concern—flashed across his face as his eyes flicker. No, it was amusement.

“He owes me $3 million and he stole something priceless from me, if you can pay me in three days then you will be free.”

My eyes bulged.

Where was I supposed to get such an amount?

 Then without a single word, he turned and left. The door gently thud shut behind him and I hope he disappears forever.

I was shivering . I quickly sent a text to Marie, my younger sister, telling her not to come home, then I took a cab and returned to the club, my mind racing and my stomach churning.

There was too much noise coming from the main room and the walls seemed to be closing in making it difficult for me to breathe.

I had to find Marc

He was the only person who could help me through this and maybe know where my father was.

My heart was beating faster as I forced my way through the back doors and into the narrow alley behind the club. 

I took out my phone and dialed Marc's number.

It rang once, twice and then on the third ring, a calm voice came from the other end.

“Sarian?”

“Marc.” I sobbed. “I'm in trouble.”

“I'm not at the club.” He sighed and then rattled out an address to me.

“Okay. Thank you.” I said and ended the call. I took the same route, the back door and with every step I took, it felt like I was being watched. I was picky about the cab I was going to ride in because who knows, Don Julio might send some people after me to catch me.

 Marc was my childhood friend and he had been dealing with street stuff for a long time.

I had packed a few of my belongings. I and Marie would leave the town tonight, we had to find our father or send messages to him.

And until this mess dies down, we will never set foot on Partinico again.

 I could hardly see where I was going as I dashed through the streets. 

I couldn't stop thinking about how fast the walls were closing in around me. How quickly things are getting out of hand. My heart was thumping like a drum by the time I got to the bar where Marc instructed me to meet him. 

I entered but as soon as my eyes met his I knew I made the right decision. 

“Sarian.” Marc says, smiling a little. “How have you been?” He said and hugged me.

 “You’re the last person I wanted to call,” I muttered in a low guilty voice as I began to sob. “ Marc, I'm in trouble.” I hiccuped. “ Don Julio Rossini, he said my father stole from him.”

“Calm down, Sarian.” He said softly. “ Just take a seat and relax.”

I nodded 

Your father got involved with the deadliest Mafia Lord.” He paused and sighed. “ I'll help you.”

“I and Marie are leaving the town tonight,” I told him, my voice shaking as I wiped my tears.

“I'll make sure you both are safe and take you to the train station myself.”

I nodded in gratitude.

“All you have to do is trust me, okay?” He said holding my cheeks in his.

But I do

n't know what I felt at that moment but I knew that things would never be the same again and I was walking into more trouble.