Page 6 of Arianna

I can handle the shit he puts me through in his sick quest to make us into what he never got. A son. A future capo.

I can handle it, yes.

The punches and kicks to my body don’t hurt me like they used to, but the abuse towards my sisters slowly breaks me.

He knows it, too.

It’s the only advantage he has against me.

Since I learned to speak, I have rebelled against my father, but he found a way— the only way— to keep me in place.

To keep me on the ground under his feet.

Compliant.

Voiceless.

Chained.

“Hey, sis?” My sister whispers.

“Yes?” I close my eyes and count to three, trying to calm the rage inside.

“One day?” Kadra’s voice breaks with the force of her quiet sobs.

If I could cry, I would cry for her.

For Mila.

For us.

“One day.” I hold onto my sisters and whisper a promise.

That day will come.

They will get there, even if it kills me.

Even if I must sell my soul to the devil to give that to my sisters.

One day did come, but it was already too late.

My sisters were gone, and my heart had turned fully cold.

There was nothing but emptiness.

A hard stone in my chest.

Cold.

Frozen.

No longer beating.

BASTIAN

Godless

“She turned her back on the world.” — B

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