Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Suddenly, his mild urbane demeanor changed. And the change was extraordinary. It was as if he was a different person or he was possessed by a demonic spirit. His black eyes glittered with fury and hatred.
“The arrogant bastard kidnapped my son,” he screamed, spittle spraying from his mouth. His whole body shook with venom and animosity.
My eyes widened with astonishment at the amazing transformation, and also because I’d never known he had a son. I had done a lot of research on him while I was idling my time away in the witness program.
“He thinks I’m going to negotiate with him,” he spat indignantly. “I’d rather kill my son with my own hands than negotiate with that creature. Everything ends today, and that's where you come in. You will walk into Twenty-Third Street. Not run, not scream, just simply walk in a straight line. You are not to turn right or left. No matter what, straight always.”
“What do you mean walk on the street?” I whispered in fear.
"Exactly what I said. While cars are zooming by at full speed all around you, you are going to walk in the middle of the street. They'll try to veer around you and miss you, or maybe they'll hit you, and your body will be thrown into and perhaps crushed by a lorry or bus that couldn't stop."
I stared at him in astonishment. The man was a raving lunatic.
"Why would you do that? What have I ever done to you? You’re the one who has ruined my life.” I screamed. “You’re the one who has taken everything away from me.”
“You're right,” he said. “This has little to do with you, but you're connected to Dante so you must pay. As did your father. He’s going to see you walking and he's going to come to you and try to help you, or maybe he won't. Who knows? We'll see. Now, I should warn you that if you stop walking in a straight line for even a second and choose to run, or even call for help, my men will empty an entire row of bullets inside you. The same if you try to get any good Samaritan to help you. And if you dare try to warn Dante about what is happening you will incur the same punishment.”
I thought of what he had said. “Since I'm going to die anyway, why should I wait for Dante to come to me?”
“Because it's going to be a long walk, and if Dante gets here before you reach the intersection, then I'll spare your life. But if he doesn't, well, the city will take your life. If he arrives on time and comes for you, you will be spared.”
I was trembling with fear. “If the choice is down to either me or Dante's life, then how do I know that even after Dante is gunned down, you will spare me?”
“You don't know,” he said softly. “You'll just have to trust me. You might not know anything about the mafia, but we adhere to our word. It is our greatest honor. I’ve heard from reliable sources that he will be on his way here soon, so it is time for you to take your walk, my dear ..."
I started to charge at him, but I was caught in midair, turned around, and slammed so hard into a wall that I froze with shock and pain. I didn’t even bother trying to get up. It was impossible.
He walked out of the room. I was picked up and deposited in the middle of the street and told to walk.
There was almost no one around, just a few passersby with their families and dogs. I looked filthy, covered with dirt and blood. If I was honest, I looked like the worst kind of homeless drug addict. Nobody came to help me. A few who saw me simply didn’t want to get involved. Only one woman stopped and asked me if I was okay.
“I'm fine,” I told her. I had to keep my wits about me.
“Do you want me to call an ambulance?”
“Please don't,” I cried and saw the shock in her eyes.
I could only imagine how batshit crazy I looked, walking with such iron-like determination toward my own death. I considered screaming and perhaps ducking behind a car, but I couldn't risk it. I knew Ugo was deadly serious. I would be instantly shot dead, and then Dante would walk right into the trap with no one to warn him. And he would be gone as well.
All I could do was keep walking as I tried to figure out what the best course of action would be. Every step I took carried so much weight that it seemed like each one was the hardest I’d ever done.
I started thinking about Dante and it helped me to walk more calmly. I then started thinking of what I could do to make him understand there was something wrong with me. He had to be the smartest and most vigilant man I knew, and I had to trust he would notice I wouldn’t just be walking up the street for no reason and come up with an effective counteraction.