~~~The surrounding is lonely and the bright lights from the reception ahead cast a reflection on the lonely van parked carelessly outside. The truck door of the van swings open from within revealing a man with a frown and a pipe hanging at the corner of his mouth. He jumps down from the truck, scanning the area with a look of contempt. Two others follow behind. “We've arrived at his place. He sure has some history, to afford a place like this. Leave it to me, Luca,” he speaks into a device as two other men follow behind. “Good. Get whatever you need. Clean your tracks and keep him alive,” the other voice says at the other end of the phone and then it beeps.He replaces the phone in his breast pocket, while one of them approaches him,“What's the update from boss? A clean kill?”“Sucker. I wouldn't need you two if that was the plan,” Akim replies with gritting teeth. “He wants him alive…it wouldn't be for long,” he mutters to himself before turning back to the others, ”Keep watch ou

MarcoRarely, there's hardly no one around. I'm surprised. I got down from the car, pulling into the entrance and finding it also desserted. Half information. Fuck.With the explosion I heard over the phone, it could mean anything.On the other hand, it could be ankther of Andrey's tricks. I hate the way I'm feeling. I dash into the main entrance, in search of a fucking soul. No guard. Too quiet to belong to a powerful Sidorov. Nights like this at the mansion should host a feast or a gun party.Maybe the old man has found a better way to live. What are the odds of that happening? It only makes me more convinced. Something isn't right. And I can smell Andrey's hand in this. I run up the flight of stairs, straight into the conference room. It's the only place I'm sure to find my father. They might be having a meeting. Probably about me. They must have seen how qualified I am for the position or maybe he convinced them. I don't care how they arrived at the right candidate as long as

MarcoIt took me an hour to get to the destination. Before I could open the door, two men approach me. I'm at that point where nothing scares me.Whatever these strangers are up to can never be anything compared to what Big Tom can do to me.Arrogantly, I follow them, glaring at one who tried to hold me, “Get your hands off me.”There's a small bar ahead. It's empty. And dark. One step inside and I'm almost choking from the smell. I can smell coke, tobacco and a mix of cheap cigarettes.“You came. Of course you did,” a voice responds from the shadows.“Akim...”A man pops out. I recognize the face as a lamp is turned on. “i just knew you were familiar. I know you from somewhere,” he continues, taking pauses and sniffing at white powder on the bar counter.“We've nothing in common. Why the fuck did you break into my apartment?” I demand.It's the last job I did for The Boss. I remember all these faces, especially the one carrying a briefcase.“Of course we do. It's high time we settl

MarcoBig Tom bangs his fist, causing the glass table to crack. As if that didn't hurt enough, he sweeps everything on the table to the floor, catching the revolver close to him before it falls off. He aims at me. “What the fuck were you up to? All the times we tried to bring down the Snakes, you've always been a fucking blood. A motherfucking Sidorov.”He shoots at the ceiling. Still consumed in his rage.I didn't flinch. I've seen this day a long time ago. The very first day I sold out my loyalty to Big Tom.I knew this day will eventually come.It was the only way I could get back Nana. “And your sister?”“Keep her out of this. We had a deal, ” I say as calm as I can.Nana doesn't deserve all of this.She knows nothing and I hate that she's suffering so much for a family that has caused her only pain.“A deal you broke a long time ago. Was Igor a part of this!” he yells back. I can see his hands quivering as he paces around. At any moment, he can do anything. “You father tricke

SarahThere is soft music playing. And for a moment I could feel my mother. Right here, beside me, singing,while I sleep. It feels like a dream but I can sense the crazy reflection of light and the piercing heat of the sun against the sheets and on my arm.“Mother…” I whisper. It feels like home. The peaceful home I knew. Where nothing mattered, masked in the comfort of my mother's arms.I smile weakly and try to reach for her embrace when I hear a clank of metals.Immediately, the music stops. My hands. My legs, wouldn't move further. I flick my eyelids open, attempting to see what has held me down.To my amazement, all my four limbs are chained down to the small bed in a large room.It doesn't look familiar. In horror, I begin to force the metals, panting heavily but instead the pain in my arm increase. There's a bandage around my head and a sling around my shoulder extending to a part of my hand covered in bandages.Gradually, I recollect all that happened the night before.Who