1.The Giudici

Aria's POV

“Quickly, grab her!” a gruff voice calls out behind me.

I turn to run when a large hand grabs my wrist. I pull hard, yanking myself free. I quickly kick the man in the groin and start running again as he falls back groaning. I have never been here before, but I know there is a main road up ahead somewhere. I can hear the bustle of the traffic in the distance. I run as fast as my legs can carry me. The sun is still low, casting dark shadows over the alleyways between the tall buildings. The stench of garbage and rotten food is overwhelming, making me want to gag. I keep running until the alleyways become busier with more and more people about. I have to jump over a crate and side- step a cat that hisses at me as I run past. I try my best to stay on my feet and not bump into anyone. A fall now would be the end of me. Just one more block and I should be out of here. I can already see the main road up ahead. As I come around the last corner, I am knocked off my feet, the hard impact to my ribs leave me on my knees heaving for air.

“Put the bag over her head. The boss will kill us if we lose her again, she must be at that meeting” another man says.

I am pulled to my feet roughly, before my world starts descending into darkness as the man lowers a bag over my head. Not ready to give up yet, I ball my fist and pull back as far as I can. I cannot see anything, but with the size of this guy I would say the odds of landing a punch are in my favour. With all my strength I punch forward, hoping for a hit… And nothing! I just punched the crap out of thin air. Story of my life!

“Aww isn’t she cute! Did you see that Morice? This kitten has claws! Tie her hands. She is feisty” the man says laughing. I feel myself become weightless as Morice throws me over his shoulder.

"Where are you taking me?" I shout, slamming my fists into his back.

"You will see soon enough, Dollface" the other man says.

There is just no way that I am going to get kidnapped by these two fat, Oompa Loompa- looking men today. I wait patiently , slowly moving back and forth in rhythm with Morice's steps. Each time he moves, I shake my head, making the bag that is covering my face, drop lower. Thankfully Morice is out of shape. He is so busy breathing, that he does not notice what I am doing. With one final tug the bag drops to the floor. This is my chance. I sink my teeth into Morice's back, biting down as hard as I can.

"Aaaahhh" Morice screams and drops me on the ground. I take this opportunity to make a run for it. I run as fast as I can, leaving the two stunned men behind.

"Not today, Suckers!" I shout over my shoulder as I run down the alley. Just before I reach the end, a whole bunch of these Oompa Loompas come out of nowhere, blocking my way.

"You were saying?" Morice says from behind me, still rubbing his back. I am blocked. There is nowhere to go. I should have known Oompa Loompa's travel in packs. The men surround me and lower the bag over my head again. 

It is a long drive to our destination. The further we drive, the more my bravado dissipates, until it is replaced by utter fear. The moment the car stops, my heart starts hammering wildly in my chest. The front doors open, and bang shut again as my kidnappers get out. I still have the bag over my head and my hands are bound so tight, I can feel my fingers going numb. What are they going to do to me? I strain my ears, trying to pick up on a clue as to where I might be. That is when I hear muffled voices outside. The smell of cigar fills the air, making me feel nauseous. The voices grow louder, until someone is shouting, and I know they are coming for me. The car door flies open, and I ready myself to kick whoever comes at me first.

“Aria, darling, please calm down” The voice is familiar... It takes me a moment to register.

“Uncle Marcello! Is that you?” I ask confused.

“Take those things off her you idiots! You were supposed to bring her here unharmed” he yells.

“Yes, Boss!” One of the men replies while cutting my restraints.

“But she is dangerous” Morice mumbles while removing the bag from my head. He holds the car door open for me to get out. I give him a big smile, making sure to show him my teeth.

As soon as my eyes adjust, I take in my surroundings. The first thing I notice is a whole row of cars parked behind us. There is a buzz of activity as men are moving about, getting out of the cars, and heading towards us. They are all heavily armed. I recognise a few of them as Uncle Marcello’s men, but the rest of them I have never seen before.

We are standing outside a magnificent stone building with large columns and a long row of stairs leading to a massive oak door. Even from the outside this building looks extravagant. The garden is vast with an enormous fountain of a horse and chariot right in the centre. It reminds me of pictures I have seen of Rome. The security is tight with cameras and guards everywhere.

“Where are we? What is going on?” I turn to Uncle Marcello, confused.

“The Giudici sent their men to bring us in.” Uncle Marcello says.

"Who is the Giudici?" I ask.

"It is the secret Mafia council. They are the most powerful bosses in the world. They settle disputes among members and they make the laws that we all live by. No one dares to go against them, and there is no hiding from them, they are everywhere and know everything" Uncle Marcello says.

“Wh why would they want me?” I ask, my voice shaking. This is even worse than being kidnapped.

“Do not worry about it Aria, let us not keep them waiting.” Uncle Marcello starts walking up the stairs.

I stand frozen in place, unable to get my legs to move. Today is the day I die.

Uncle Marcello’s man Joe nudges me forward. It is difficult to climb stairs with legs that feel like jelly. He supports me by holding onto my arm. When we reach the top landing, a guard starts searching the men for guns and weapons, which he places in a large metal safe.

“Any weapons, Love?” the guard asks me, chewing his gum with his mouth open. The sight of him really irks me, so I shake my head disgusted.

“Mind if I check?” he asks, and I look pleadingly at Uncle Marcello.

“Is that really necessary, she is a child.” Uncle Marcello reasons with the guard.

“Boss’s orders” the guard says looking me down with a sly grin. Jerk.

He slowly starts searching me for weapons, making sure to take his time, touching and squeezing every part of my body, all the while chewing his gum in my ears.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” I ask when he finally stops.

Without giving him a chance to respond, I storm past him, giving him the most disgusted look, I can possibly muster. The men all burst out laughing. Jerks all of them.

Uncle Marcello takes my hand and leads me into the building. The inside is even more exquisite than the outside. The floors are white marble and everywhere you look are sculptures and works of art. It looks more like a museum than anything else.

“At the end of the hallway, turn left. It is the second door on your right” the guard shouts from behind. I do not bother looking back at him.

“Everything is going to be okay.” Uncle Marcello says squeezing my hand.

I feel my hands trembling, but I square my shoulders and lift my chin high. I might be scared, but I refuse to let it show.