Page 3 of Little Sparrow

I laugh dryly “I’m not offended, I just haven’t slept much. I’m dead tired and just want to go home and eat.” My feet drag along the floor, I swear I could drop at any moment.

“And sleep,” she adds, wrapping her arm over my shoulder in a half hug, I lean into her knowing I need some comfort right now.

“Yes, sleep sounds so good,” I groan and the locker room door closes behind us.

“If you ever need to talk, you do know I’m on the other end of the phone. Just call anytime, don’t worry about waking me.” Jenny gives me a soft smile while opening her locker to grab her purse.

“Thank You, that means alot to me,” I reply. She doesn’t know how much I truly need someone right now, with the weird dreams and my mum being mentioned, my dad running out when I needed answers. I’m so frustrated being kept in the dark. Especially as I just know that something is happening with me.

“No problem,” she hugs me and leaves, she would drive me home, but I love the walk and as always, especially when it’s summer and the sun shines down on me. Before I leave to go home, I grab some extras that our chef Roger has cooked for me. Packing them in a bag for a quick dinner to heat when I’m home. I’m starving and hadn’t eaten much at all. Dad won’t be home yet. It’s too early for him, so I will have the house to myself. I’ll sketch those faceless people while they are burning in my memory. They want something from me, but I don’t quite know what. Maybe I’ll find out if I can have these dreams again.

Hours pass and dad still isn’t home. I’ve been sitting on the love chair for three hours attempting to read my book, but I’m thinking of that handsome stranger in my dream. I try calling my dad, but he doesn’t answer. Eventually, I pull a blanket over my legs and lie down on our sofa instead. That way, I’ll know straight away when he is home. I can’t help but drift off while I wait.

Chapter three

Dante

Calabria, Itay

Mymotherhadbeengone most of the day, it must have eased my mind tonight that she is making plans. She won’t tell me much. It’s best I know nothing until the moment, just in case Father realises and questions me, he is not stupid. He may have trained me to be deceptive when needed, but he knows all the tricks. One wrong look at my face and he has all the answers he needs. She has a brother, my Uncle Tomasso, who we could hide with, in Napoli for a while. One she rarely stayed in contact with since being married, but he would protect us. We just need to get out of this house first.

The Camorra clan should keep us hidden. There is no bad blood between the clans, but it makes me slightly nervous about what my mother is planning. We need to avoid a war. All I need to remember is that I’m still welcome to my uncles if something happens to my mother.

It’s been a few days since my nightmare. I’ve had none since then, but I can’t stop thinking about that girl. Was she really an Angel? My mind wouldn’t have been able to conjure someone like her, someone who seems so pure. I lay back on my navy silk bed sheets and close my eyes. I’m pulled back into an empty room and no demons flood my dreams this time.

My bare feet pad along the cold floor of the room, similar to before, but without the demons. I can’t help but look around for the Angel. The very essence she exuded covered me in a calm, and I needed to speak with her and get to know who she is. She had been standing in front of a smoky area last time, so I rush towards that and try to touch it to move through. It feels solid to me, no matter how hard I press my hand into it. I try to circle it but still can not find a way in there.

“You’re here,” a small sweet voice says and I turn to her. This time I take in everything about her. Blue pyjama shorts with clouds on them. Honey-blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders, and her hazel eyes bore into mine. Bellissima.

This girl stands there fidgeting slightly when I realise I haven’t said a word to her. I run my hands through my hair as I take slow steps toward her and look down at her tiny frame. “Who are you?” Those are the first words that come from my mouth that sound rude, but she mixes me up inside. The need to know her. Her head tilts slightly as she searches my face. I’m not sure what for. Her mouth opens and closes twice before her hand reaches out to mine.

“I’m Rose.”

I slide my hand into hers. “Dante. Where are you from, Rose?” I can’t help but ask. My accent is thick and noticeably different from hers. She’s not Italian. Maybe one day I'll find her. For some reason, I want to hunt her down in real life. I shake the thoughts from my mind. It’s just a dream.

She purses her lips for a moment like she’s deciding whether she should tell me. “London.” Her cheeks turn pink as she turns her head to the side, biting her lip. She clasps her hands together in front of her as though she’s nervous suddenly. Do I make her nervous?

“Are you real?” I ask, but before I can backtrack my question to not sound stupid, she laughs, loosening up. Her laugh is as beautiful as her, I never want to end. Rose’s hand touches her chest as she calms her giggles. “Yes, of course, I am. Are you a real person? I’ve been wondering the last few days.” She pokes me in the arm, then again, but slower. “Sorry, I just had to make sure,” then she rubs my muscle. When she realises she is stroking me she stops and blushes from her head and around her chest.

“How did you make the demons go away?” I ask, needing to know. Her eyebrows furrow and she bites her lip. When she looks down, her hair falls in front of her face and I automatically tuck it back behind her ear, my thumb slowly sliding down her soft rosy cheek. I realise what I’m doing and clear my throat and take a step back.

She shakes her head like she’s pulling herself out of a trance. “I’m not sure. Weird things have happened since my birthday two weeks ago. I’ve seen nothing like that before or been here. It’s like a bright void. At first, I thought it’s what death would be like.”

“What do you mean? How old are you?” So many questions ran through my mind. Rose blows out a breath and puts her hands on her slim hips as though she is contemplating where to start.

“I’m eighteen. I’m stronger than I used to be, I’ve even healed faster when I cut my hand cleaning up broken glass at work. Really fast. Nothing makes sense to me anymore and oh god! Honestly, I think I’m going a little crazy. I’ve definitely never met you either.” Her hands reach up to her face as she clutches her cheeks. She seems to talk more when she’s nervous or maybe she’s always like this?

I watch her pretty pink lips as she talks. I’m relieved she’s eighteen. When she looks back up at me with those hazel eyes, I can’t help but take a step closer. This time, her eyes stay on me, tracking every movement of mine.

“Is this always just a plain white room, or can you make it anything?” Her breaths become shallow, and I know I’m affecting her with my presence, as she is mine. But just as she opens her mouth, it’s time to wake up.

That’s when three loud knocks on my bedroom door pulls me out of my sleep, I groan and lean on my elbow. It’s too early. “Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes.” Maria calls out through my bedroom door. I lean against my headboard and run my hands over my face as our housekeeper's footsteps get further away. I groan as I stretch out my arms. It’s seven am.

I rush to shower in my private bathroom and dress in a casual chinos and black t-shirt, usually I wouldn’t give a shit about being on time. But I know my father is annoyed about not finding the weapon, I’ll be a failure. I don’t know what his next plans are. It frustrates me that he could get to it before I can.

A sense of dread washes over me as I step into the foyer, my father stands in front of the dining room doors with his arms crossed across his chest, staring down on me. I raise my eyebrows and keep my eyes on his.

“Now that you have made your first kill, you will be ready for more. It’s always that first you need to get over. I forgive your hesitation, but now we need to keep our search for the Sparrow. Do you understand how important this could be for our family?” He asks with a tilt of his head. My eyes flick behind him and I notice my mother watching us with wide eyes, she quickly moves away.Never involve the women.

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