Path of the Vampire forum

*******

Type: Narrative

Where: New York, New York

Note: Names have been changed to prevent incrimination.

***
The night is growing older. Here I stand in the old study in the south end of the third floor of the house staring at a giant pull down map of the world behind Papa’s old desk. A knife twirls in my hand. Papa used to use the study a lot in his younger days. His “meetings” would always be held in here. Mamma would serve the guests her special cookies and her best coffee. The lingering scent of cigars and strong Italian coffee wisp through the air and bring a smile to my painted lips. No one uses this study anymore now but me. Sometimes Angelo uses it when he has his… associates over, but mostly it’s just me in here. Papa has moved on to the ‘Drawing Room’ he had built years ago when this study became too small.

The wind gently knocks tree branches against the window to my left, pulling my attention away from my thoughts and the giant pull down map. Lightning flashes over the sky, a low rumble of thunder. I move over to the window and look down into the pitch black back yard, the scene illuminating as another bolt of energy flashes across the sky. The metal of the old play set caught my eye. A sigh escapes my lips. Memories….but… back to business.

I return to my position in front of the map and try to remember how to switch it up. I think it just flips. I move to it and sure enough, you just flip the pages over one another to see a different country up close. I find the one for Canada and flip it to the front so I can see. My butt finds the edge of the old maple desk as I back up and I lean myself against it, studying this new land. I’ve never been anywhere outside of New York, let alone the country. But… It’s all for the family. I’m a big girl. I can take it.

Papa had come to me and told me about something I thought I’d never hear from him directly: business expansion. Big time prospects. My heart leapt again just thinking about it. He never came to me with business. Normally he goes to Angelo and Uncle Tommy first before news trickles down to us, the soldiers. I wasn’t technically a soldier, but I did do small errands...mostly drops and pick-ups, driver, paper pusher. I was… under my brother Angelo, training to take over Consigliere when Angelo moves on to be the Don and new head of the family. So in essence, I was the right hand man to the right hand man of the Don. Which doesn’t make sense with why Papa would come to me, ME, with such an opportunity? I was Papa’s only girl, his baby dove, his light, his joy, and… he was sending me to Canada? The gangs were growing in some town called Harper’s Rock. Papa wanted someone he could trust to go in and make connections. I’m guessing he couldn’t afford to let Angelo or Uncle Tommy go. Momma was out of the question. She was the only normal one of us. God bless her.

My chocolate eyes roam over this place… this…Canada . I was looking for Harper’s Rock and eventually found it. Dread filled my gut and anxiety with it. I knew I could do what was asked of me. Make connections. I’d often been used at the entertainment for Papa’s guests. The pretty little dove that would sit and flirt, maybe even show off what I had learned in dance class for the associates while Papa went out with the other Boss to discuss business. The pretty little thing at bars, sweet talking for information with *****. Yeah... I could make connections. Though.. something didn’t seem right….

I push off the desk, knife in hand and place the tip on the point labeled “Harper’s Rock”, twist it a bit, but not much. A small dent is made. I steel myself and take the knife away from the paper and run my hand over the mark I made. These maps... had history… I had no right slicing them up… but... I had to leave my mark somehow other than being Papa’s litte dove.

The knife I return to its stand in Papa’s desk drawer and I grab my jacket from the back of the chair and head downstairs. I need fresh air. The keys are on the side table by the front door and I grab them and slip out, hoping no one heard me.

Type: Journal
Where: New York, New York

Note: Names have been changed to prevent incrimination.

*******

Date: 9/XX/2011

Papa has been in meetings all day. The Capos and the Soldiers are running around like crazy. In and out, here and there, our cars flying up and down the street. I think their getting ready for a move. Normal people wouldn’t know it though. They would just see it as an overly busy day. The streets get like that at times. Mamma doesn’t seem upset though… so it can’t be anything with Angelo, Roberto, or *****. I went downstairs to ask her what was going on and she just brushed it off. Insisted that I make snacks with her while down here. She looked at me with such a sad smile.. I leave in a two days. Is this what the hustle is about? Nothings trickled down to me and ***** won’t spill anything either. I don’t know what to make of it.

I made sandwiches and lemonade with Mamma and served them to the guests in the drawing room with her. Mamma still looks so pretty, even for her age. We all know she’s getting older, including her. But still.. she looks so.. vibrant. Still has that.. spark of youth. I can only pray I’m like that when I’m older. The men in the room flirt with us both, compliment us both. I smile and nod, speak my thanks in Italian. Papa was apparently dealing with one of the other families from around here. I wonder why.... Uncle Tommy looked awfully smug though...

Angelo, Roberto, and ***** entered the room and all got quiet and serious... I've never seen it get that quiet that fast.... Mamma bowed out but I stayed put. I was soon literally carried out of the room by Angelo and told to go help Mamma. The F**k. I'm part of this family too. Always have been. They let me in early and now their booting me out? What the hell is this? Is that why I'm being sent to Canada?????

//She throws the pen down on the bed and sits up, tears starting to well up. She glares at the diary and pick it and the pen up again and begins to scribble furiously.\\

It.. can't be. I can't be kicked out. Papa said business. I'm going for business. But.. what if he's lying to me? But why would Papa lie to me. He... he wouldn't. I know he wouldn't.

//A soft knock is heard and she closes her book, wipes the tears of anger away. She calls out and gets a reply and with a huff she gets up and slips out of her bedroom. The guests needed more snacks.\\

Type: Narrative
Where: New York, New York

Note: Names have been changed to prevent incrimination.

XXXXXXXXX* - Colombina's real name

****** - Valentino's real name

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I had to serve drinks and snacks all freaking night to these stuffy old men. Not to mention keep them company and entertained as Papa was now in and out of the room. Something required his immediate attention as he kept saying to his guests. It's so hard to keep a smile plastered on my face. Yeahhhh.. so this is what they really think of me in the family, huh?

I scoff mentally at the thought. Maybe I was being bitter over nothing. Among some of the idle chatter one of the older men asked me if I could dance. I smiled my sweetest smile and replied, "Yes, I can. I can waltz, tango, and samba. Belly dancing is also a specialty of mine." I can see the impressed expressions on their faces falter ever so slightly at the mention of belly dancing. Their eyes take a perverted glint to them. Ah crap.

"May we see?"

Crap. I knew it. My mind and almost my mouth said 'Uh no, no you can't'. But I mustn't be rude to Papa's guests... My mouth opened to respond but Papa's voice came out instead of mine.

"No, I'm ever so sorry. But perhaps next time, yes? She'll put on a special performance. Right, my dove?"

I happily closed my mouth and gave the men another sugar sweet smile and nodded as I looked to find him now standing in the doorway. Thank god. "Yes, of course, Papa."

He smiled rather mischievously, probably seeing the utter annoyance in my eyes."I'd like to thank you, gentlemen. It was a pleasure doing business with you."

The men all nod and stand, and I with them. Papa shakes their hands and they each come to give me the proper good bye kiss to the cheek. Thankfully none of them tried anything cute. Roberto appears in the doorway and escorts the men out of the house. I watch as they go. I dunno what to feel exactly. I let a sigh escape my lips and I almost jump as another sigh answers mine. Papa's sigh is deep, thoughtful, almost... regretting.

"Something wrong?"

"No, no, my dove. Just thinking."

I didn't believe him. One bit. I huffed and pushed myself forward towards the door. All of a sudden my body needed a little extra push to move. I didn't like it. "Well I can see I'm not wanted here so I'll just be going. I have packing to do."

"XXXXXXX*! Come back here!"

He was too late though. I was already out that door and had no intentions of going back and sitting there like a child and having him tell me how much he loves me and he doesn't know why I would think I'm not wanted and then the pressing for why I feel this way and I just would not and could not take it. I made my way for my room and grabbed my suit cases from the closet and realized I should probably pack my belongings first. Kicking my suit cases under the bed I reach for a flattened cardboard box and popped it open and realized needed tape. Why didn't I think of these things first? What an idiot. I'm angry. And I know myself. This **** happens when I'm angry. I start forgetting things. Why did I keep forgetting that!?

Finding the tape was a simple task and I popped open and taped a few more boxes before starting to gather all my books first. At least the important ones I'd HAVE to bring with me. The occult books, the books on various religions and cultures, dream dictionaries, favorite novels, new novels yet to be read, and a few others made their way into my boxes. Next was the trinkets and jewels and other mementos. After that came......


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*** hours later, late evening ***

Packing took me hours. I needed this and I would need that. I was getting kind of disgusted with myself at times. My room was now covered in boxes. And I still had clothes left to do. If Mama hadn't come in and stopped me I probably would have started packing the whole house to take with me. She brought me food from dinner. I had refused to go down and she felt bad. It was three cheese lasagna, one of Angelo's favorites. I had eaten it with a smile on my face, but a frown in my heart. I would miss Mama's cooking. I'd be fending for myself in two days time.

Now I'm wandering down the halls of the house, just.... looking. I'd miss this place. The only home I've ever known. Ahead I hear voices in the drawing room. Papa's and... *****'s? My heart raced. Only two voices. Why? Papa never talked in the drawing room with just one of them. Why ****? It hit me then: **** was supposed to come with me. I tip toed as light as I could over to the door of the drawing room and listened hard. I could only catch snippets through the closed door.


"I want you to watch her every move. Keep her safe, keep her out of trouble --"

"Pops I know. I know how to freaking baby sit. I--"

I stopped listening. BABYSIT?! I don't need to be freaking baby sitted. No wonder he wanted **** going. I thought it was kinda fishy when Papa told me **** would be going with me. I thought I was the only one who knew where I was going and why. But noooo.... Apparently **** had to come with me to BABYSIT me. Papa had said it was for extra muscle. I'm so stupid to have not seen this earlier. He was just going to freaking babysit me!

In my anger I had leaned against the door and it opened a little, the hinges creaking. ****! The voices stopped in the room and I made a dash down the hall as light and fast as my feet would allow.Thank you dancing lessons. I darted around a corner just in time apparently because as soon as turned the corner the door opened wider and there was a pause like someone was looking. The door quickly closed after that and I exhaled. Damn that was close. As the adrenaline faded the anger in me welled up again. Yeah... I'll show them I need baby sitting.

Type: Narrative
Where: New York, New York, Air port

Note: Names have been changed to prevent incrimination.

XXXXXXXXX* - Colombina's real name

****** - Valentino's real name

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Everyone but Mamma had a serious expression on their face this morning. I know now that the meeting two days ago was about securing my safety for my trip up to Canada. Well... mine and ******'s. I still can't get her eyes out of my head... they looked so sad.. yet her face was cheery and bright and.. fake... It was heart breaking really. I knew she was putting on a face. But.. it had to be done.. she needed it for her sanity, I needed it for my own too. If she had broken down and cried I probably would have too. Just Mamma crying wouldn't have been too bad. But me crying is like the end of the world to my family. Not only do I f**k **** up, but my brothers and father do too. And the house looked all spotless this morning. Would have been a shame to mess it up.

A huff escaped my painted lips as I was brought back to reality with the sound of someone typing violently. I glared across the check in counter at the cute little thing taking our information and all that crap and telling us that my suit cases were too heavy. ***** was working his charm to get her to let my over weight suit case bags onto the flight at a much lower rate. It wasn't working. Didn't expect it to really. But nooooo... ****** just had to try. It's where he got his street name from: Romeo. I rubbed at my temple and slapped him on the shoulder and took over the conversation and just forked over the extra cash to get the damn bags on the damn flight. This was so annoying. I spent most of yesterday cramming my clothes into those bags and still have boxes for Mama to send to me. We were NOT going to miss our flight because ***** didn't want to fork over the cash. Saving money is good but giving me a headache and taking half an hour out of our time is not.

He was saying something to me but I wasn't listening as I took our tickets and everything and darted away from the counter as soon as business was finished. I checked my watch and the flight time. I had just enough time to get there and lose *****. If I could think of a way to do it fast. My plan had been to lose him in the food court about twenty minutes ago. But... Twenty minutes ago ***** was still trying to get all our luggage on the damn flight at half the price. Idiot. Ugh.

I dart around and dodge people and pick up pace. I can hear my brother's voice telling me to slow down.

"No you idiot. You speed up. You cost us half a freaking hour of our time for what? Trying to sweet talk a chick. Where did that get you and our luggage? No where. I ended up paying the damn fees so we can get on the damned flight. Now hurry up." I picked up pace again and I heard him groan.

Why was I trying to lose him? Because I didn't need a baby sitter. I figured if I could lose him, he'd give up and daddy would take him off my case.... it was possible he would send one of the other two for me or someone else but... I didn't really care. They'd have to find me first. Papa said he, *****, me and Mamma were the only ones who knew where I was going. So I figure by the time I lose ***** and get into Canada, I'll have at least a day a head of anyone coming after me to get somewhere and lay low. Crazy? Yes. But proof I could handle myself.

I shoved the tickets in my pocket and start to run after we enter a rather large and thick crowd in the middle of the air port with about 6 possible directions for me to have gone. I was dodging and weaving between people like no tomorrow. I hear his shouts but keep going, keeping low. I make my way over to a bathroom and duck inside, Dante's voice in the semi near distance. My watch told me I have fifteen minutes before my flight leaves the ground. F**k. If i was watching correctly my gate was two to my right once i stepped out of the bathroom. I wait until I hear Dante's voice pass and then slip out and sprint over to my gate, pulling out my ticket just as the lady was calling for final seatings. I show her my ticket and my heart nearly drops when I hear ***** shouting again. I try to keep my cool and play my nervousness off to the lady as preflight jitters. First time flying and all. Which was true.. but.. that's not why my heart nearly left out of my throat. She just smiled and nodded and told me everything would be fine. I thanked her and darted down that little hall thing to the plane and made my way to my seat.

My brother was now left with out a ticket and his luggage in the middle of the air port, looking for me. I felt kinda bad but... I was a big girl. If any of them were to take me seriously they would have had to see that I can take care of myself. This will either look one of two ways to those back at home: A. **** lost me and he couldn't do his job B. I'm the one who ran off for what ever reason and am a possible traitor.

It would most likely be option A. I gave them no hint or any reason to suspect that I was going to pull something like this. Granted, they knew it was in my nature to give my brothers a hard time but.... nothing like this. Sorry, Romeo. Canada, here I come.