ia "!

r. He walked over quickly and stood right in front of me, smelling like s

t muttering insults under their breath. I glanced towards the corner booth. T

ef moment before he lo

attention. I didn't ne

ghts, pointing at the bottle I was holding. "This isn't a fight

ried to stay calm. "I didn'

you can't afford trouble. Not now, with everything you're dealing with

I didn't like to t

I said q

ally, he nodded. "Good. Finish your s

Marce

f the night, swallowing down my rude comments and ignoring the unwanted touches and stares. By th

Marcello said gentl

reets of Palermo buzzed with life-couples strolled, and street vendors shouted about their roasted chestn

streets. My house was small and peeling, at the edge of a rough neighborhoo

old books surrounded me. My mom sat in her armchair by the window, knitti

e," she said wit

bag and taking off my coat. "

once bright, now looked tired and dull from years

ng. That's important," she said with a sm

k my hands in hers. Her ha

said, gently squeezing my

ine, M

, but I worry

about you, so

mornings from when I was a child, before

ng my head. "I'm lu

of hair from my fac

'll pick up som

"I hope you're not spendi

said, smiling. "You'r

nd it funny. "Alright, then. But be careful, cara

e crumpled bills from my pocket. It wasn't mu

ad, cheese, and canned soup. As I left, the cashier, an older man with a per

d longer and more threatening. I stood on the curb, tryin

ws shone brightly, a sharp contrast to the cracked pavement and flickering street lamps down below. For a m

shadow above, something

at

marionette. The impact was a sickening crunch, followed by the explosion of glass and shriek of a car al

st as I stood frozen, staring at the crumpled body lying across the shattered roof of a car. Blo

. Then as if on cue, the chaos resumed - screami

nd wonder what kind of darkness lay behind

mo, nothing was