《Out to Get Me [January 2025 Magazine contest]》 Awoken ¡°¨¨ vivo!¡± But now it¡¯s alive and it¡¯s out there. 1 ¡°Does this hurt?¡± uttered Dr. Ricci, as the doctors poked, shined, and pricked every part of my being. ¡°No, just my head. How many times do I have to tell you? It¡¯s just my head.¡± ¡°Well Mr. Santore, you are lucky to be alive. By some grace, you are back and doing mostly well. You will be a bit hazy but we will continue to monitor your tests. Keep us updated on any memories you get back, okay?¡± Grace. If it was truly grace I wouldn¡¯t be here. I hate it here. The doctors. Hospitals. Pills and tests. They only search to cure never to heal and fully remedy what has been lost. What a scam. Yet we depend on it. ¡°Am I free to go?¡± ¡°Yes, once a guardian or friend comes to sign those discharge papers you can go. See you in two weeks,¡± ushered the nurse before leaving the clipboard in hand. Whilst grabbing his things, a sharp pain pounded the back of Francesco¡¯s head a voice emanating within. ¡°You need to leave. Now!¡± ¡°Come on! Frankie, it¡¯s a trap, we were set up. Caruso ratted us out, and now all of the Marino family and the police think it¡¯s you. You need to leave. Now!¡± BANG. Before Francesco could react, the doors burst open with a thundering boom as a tsunami of gunfire plagued the building. Best friend, Lorenzo got shot in the shoulder, as Frank slid behind a table retaliating in ammo as the bullets spewed from all directions. He gestured for him to come over but Dante Marino saundered in, putting the nail in the coffin, pulling the trigger, and giving Lorenzo a farewell into the afterlife. Frank was cornered and as he loaded his weapon deciding to go out triumphantly, he got shot in the left rib falling over. He knew his time was up and all he could think was that Caruso had led them to this point. Wrong he trusted the wrong person and he will be dead because of it. Life over. ¡°I don¡¯t understand Francesco, what made you want to cross my family? No, really? I would have given you anything, my sister¡¯s hand in marriage, I mean, you were the godfather in my son¡¯s baptism. I¡¯m hurt. I loved you like a brother, but now. Now you are lower than the rats. Less than the fish. You are dirt. I should have known it from the moment my father picked you up from that trash heap you originated. And now you will go back to where you belong. Bang. ¡°Are you alright Mr. Santore, you can stay an extra day if you need to, no man with your injuries would leave so early anyway,¡± urged the nurse. My injuries, Frank thought.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Nine bullet wounds, three fractured ribs, two very close calls to the chest, and the rest of his pains in various places. How did I make it? Someone up there must love me. ¡°No I am alright, thank you.¡± Francesco took his bag and walked out into the hall. ¡°Mr. Santore, I need to have a word with you.¡± Spoke a man in a navy suit, smelling of the authorities. ¡°You got the wrong guy.¡± Responded Francesco not losing all sense amidst waking up. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± Frank turned in the opposite direction listening out for the footsteps of the man behind him. ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking.¡± Uttered the man before throwing a jab at the back of Frank¡¯s head. Dodging to the left Santore dipped and threw his bag under a lounge chair, extending his leg to sweep the Man in suit. ¡°It¡¯s rude to start fights in hospitals,¡± edged Frankie continuously weaving the forthcoming attacks from this perpetrator. The man lunged at him and threw them both over the check-in desk, papers flying in the cataclysm of their altercation. Nurses and patients ran in opposite directions, one calling for security. He picked up a chair and threw it at the guy, but he ducked into a doorway using both his hands to kick Frankie in the chest. Knocking the wind out of him. As the local authorities arrived, the suited man disappeared from view leaving a mess of a lobby and Francesco Santore to take the blame once again. ¡°Kill me now.¡± Sighed Frank stood up, gesturing at a little kid to give him his bag. - - ¡°Sir, come with me.¡± ordered a cop down a long-winded hall. ¡°I thought you guys took fingerprints and mugshots when criminals get caught, where am I being dragged to?¡± ¡°Quiet, you can ask your questions once the agents arrive.¡± ¡°Agents? Look lady, I¡¯m no rodent. Not gonna get me to squeak.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what they all say. Just sit and wait.¡± The officer left him in an empty room donned with only a chair and a metal table. Since waking up at the hospital Frank never got any of the questions he had solved. Who ratted on me? Saying what? Why did Marino think he sold them out? What happened to Lorenzo¡¯s body? Why is he here? Who is that man in the suit, what did he want? ¡°Yeah, just kill me.¡± He muttered head pounding with unease at all the problems he must solve. ¡°Not yet, Mr. Santore,¡± walked in an agent. ¡°We have questions and you have answers, then we can discuss how to dispose of you.¡± - - ¡°Does he remember any of this? I mean a man doesn¡¯t just come back from the dead without answers. Does he?¡± Asked agent Giani. ¡°He didn¡¯t know anything, and wasn¡¯t very cooperative either,¡± responds agent Enzo. ¡°I guess this one got messed up in production. This is why you don¡¯t resurrect people who have obtained that many injuries. It fogs up the system.¡± mutters Dio the scientist behind the experiments. ¡°He is still a person, why are we talking about him as if he¡¯s some lab rat?¡± interjects agent Enzo. ¡°Agent, if you can¡¯t see that this is a creation of our doing. Our Frankenstein, then you aren¡¯t welcome here. There is no time for sentiments. I only agreed to work with the C.I.A. because of the funding. You only oversee my operations. Interrupt me with baseless thoughts again, and I will ask for someone else. There is no room for mistakes in this business. Understand?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Enzo walks out the door frustrated with the lack of morals present. Giani steps out the door puzzled, ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°What?¡± Turns Enzo. ¡° Do you not see that it is wrong to raise someone from the dead to infiltrate a crime family, and they don¡¯t even know what is going on?¡± ¡°Yeah, I see it''s wrong, but what better people to use than their own? I¡¯m tired of losing our men. Remember Liam? He¡¯s gone and now this is our mission. Get your head in the game. Deal?¡± ¡°Deal. But it doesn¡¯t mean I have to like Dio, he¡¯s a prick.¡± Yeah, one with a god complex. What a combo. Remembrance "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". - George Santayana Knock. Knock. ¡°What¡¯s the password?¡± ¡°Come on, Tony. We ain''t got a password. Let me in before I let myself in.¡± Francesco laughed as the door opened to the basement of a bar, revealing a world of chaos beneath. As Tony led him through the casino tables and women, Frankie greeted and shook the hands of familiar faces. Looking forward he saw a Marino in the corner of his eye. ¡°Sylvio. How are you?¡± He asked, kissing the older gentleman on the cheek. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you since my last hospital visit. ¡°Francesco, how have you been?¡± He inquired, pouring them both a drink. ¡°I know Dante would not be pleased to see you. But you have never bid me ill will.¡± ¡°I need help. Can you do that for me?¡± ¡°Frankie, you know the rules. The underboss can¡¯t undermine orders. If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that you are a Capo and a friend, you know where you would be.¡± Dead. He didn¡¯t have to say it. The longer I go without answers the more I feel it looming over me. Like a curse enveloping my choices. ¡°C¡¯mon cousin, you don¡¯t think I know the rules. I know that. And I also know that you don¡¯t think I did it. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t be so civil now.¡± Sylvio laughed walking towards a door, pausing before opening it. ¡°I know that. But D thinks otherwise. Convince the man yourself.¡± Sylvio walked off, then turned. ¡°If he lets you live, the next round is on me, Deal?¡± ¡°Deal, thank you, Syl.¡± In front of Frank was the impossible. Convince the man who sent a hit out on you that you were worthy of seeing another day. ¡°Dante.¡± ¡°You got some nerve, Francesco. You know I should put a bullet in you for stepping foot in here, amongst the other things you did.¡± ¡°Hear me out. And if you don¡¯t like my story then shoot me dead. Right now.¡± Three men stood up, guns drawn on Frankie, desperately waiting for the command, tasting a promotion if the man in front of them died at their hands. ¡°You don¡¯t get to negotiate with me. On my sister¡¯s grave, I should kill you. You betray the family and then plea for your life. You¡¯re not worthy to kiss my shoes. Let alone beg for another day.¡± ¡°Really Dante. If that were true why didn¡¯t you finish the job back at the warehouse? Or in the hospital when I was in a coma. And you know if Isabella were here right now she would believe me. I mean come on.¡± Frankie inched closer to Dante¡¯s desk. Putting down a ring. ¡°This is your father¡¯s ring. A ring he granted me to give to your sister, bless her heart. To show that he believed in my loyalty. Hell, Lorenzo is dead. You believe he also was in on ratting. Dante use your head. It¡¯s me.¡± Dante waved the three men off, and took a seat, pointing to the one in front of him. Frank sat down, waiting for his verdict. ¡°You act too much. Way to oversell it.¡± Dante laughed, before clapping his hands. ¡°Jeez man, I was a little scared you was gonna have those gavones shoot me on your nice carpet.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not worth staining my floor, you wish.¡± ¡°Alright alright, but what is going on?¡± ¡°I wake up in a coma and Renzo is dead. What gives Dante, I thought our plan was going to work.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, when I told you to be at the warehouse I didn¡¯t expect Lorenzo to be there. He started shooting and somebody else, maybe a cop shot him. Rest in peace.¡± Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. - - ¡°That¡¯s the dumbest thing I have heard. And you break that record pretty often Renzo.¡± Frankie sat in his chair, listening to his best friend go on and on about a foolproof plan. Yeah, a plan proving he was a fool if he went along with it. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have to do a thing. If we get Dante to come to suspect you of ratting, then the real rat will show their face thinking they won.¡± ¡°And who do you suspect that would be, for all I know this could be a set-up where we all die. Cops would write it off as something we deserved. Not even first page worthy in the papers.¡± ¡°Way to bring the mood down,¡± Caruso declared walking in, duffle bag in hand. ¡°I say it like I see it. Call it foreshadowing.¡± ¡°See what reading books get you. You think you know everything¡­¡± ¡°I do,¡± chimed Francesco, ¡° anyway, I won¡¯t be coming on this one. I got to visit her that day.¡± ¡°Right, tell her I said hi.¡± piped Lorenzo, ¡°Me too tell her we miss her,¡± spoke Caruso. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to give her the best flowers, on me.¡± He stood up, kissed Frankie¡¯s cheek in respect, and handed him a few bills. ¡°You know I can¡¯t take that Ruso. I appreciate the thought.¡± Francesco placed the bills on the table and walked out the door to his car. He got to his destination, flowers in hand, and spoke to the lady at a desk. ¡°Hey Frankie, go on back, she¡¯s been waiting for you.¡± ¡°Right, thanks, Rosa.¡± He walked towards the back door and stopped in front of a grave. Isabella Alice Santore. Dusting off some leaves from the headstone, he knelt and placed the flowers down. ¡°Bella; Lorenzo and Caruso say hi. Your father is okay. Getting older of course. Dante is still the same, that jokester. And me? I miss you more and more every day. He raised his hat, like he always did, even back when they were together, before getting up and giving an envelope to Rosa. ¡°Here¡¯s next month''s payment and some more for your little one¡¯s little league game. Get him some new shoes or something. How even is Leo? Still hitting home runs?¡± ¡°You know it! Thank you, Frankie.¡± Rosa gave him a big hug and walked him to the door. As he pulled away from his beloved, his phone began to ring. ¡°Frankie, Caruso said we need to be there at the warehouse. To discuss that thing we did last week.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯m coming. Make sure we are all there, I mean it Lorenzo, everyone.¡± Click. Looks like Caruso took the bait. I have to call Dante. ¡°Yeah Dante, he grabbed the line.¡± ¡°Good, I don¡¯t know how you knew he would but better we find out now and not when there''s a knife in my back.¡± ¡°See you soon.¡± -- Click. See Dante I told you they were a team. If you want to get to Frank you have to get Lorenzo to vouch for it. I mean it¡¯s been that way since we were kids. Frankie only messed up when Lorenzo was involved. The schmuck. Caruso paced the floor. ¡°So how do we get the police to get off our backs? They need someone, and you want to give them Francesco?¡± ¡°He¡¯s the best choice. I mean he visits that grave every week. Might as well reunite the couple. Plus he isn¡¯t a rat. If he does make it somehow, he would never think it was me, maybe you, but what are the odds he catches on to our plan?¡± Dante lit his cigar, leaning back in his chair. ¡°The feds back off the Marino Family, we get security on our territory, and they think they have a mole in the system. Frankie is the best guy for the job. The man is as stubborn as they come.¡± ¡°And Lorenzo? What do we do with him?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle Renzo. Just worry about yourself, don¡¯t get caught in the flames, when the match gets thrown.¡± As Caruso walks out, Dante dials an unsaved number. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Marino, don¡¯t feel guilty. We contacted your father and he decided this was for the best as well. It¡¯s not like Mr. Santore was family, right.¡± ¡°Right. He¡¯s not.¡± Dante hung up the phone, avoiding the frame he had of his sister on his desk. ¡°Forgive me, Bella. He is coming to see you soon, he whispered trying to convince himself this was in everyone¡¯s interest.¡± He called another man over the phone. ¡°When everything is done. Take Caruso on a long walk for me.¡± The man in the navy suit on the other line responded. ¡°Consider it done.¡± Components ¡°In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs. ¡°And that ladies and gentlemen is my presentation on developing post-mortem cloning. Any questions?¡± A reporter raised their hand. ¡°Yes. You in the back.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Why? That isn¡¯t a specific question reporter, care to elaborate?¡± ¡°Sure, why cloning? Why dead people? Is it some fantasy you have with necromancing, what motivates you in this field?¡± ¡°Those are three very different questions. To answer the first. Cloning has always been a thing, just look at it from the lenses of reproduction. Twins, triplets, and a descendant that resembles an ancestor a little too much are clones in my eyes. I just tweaked the science a bit to guarantee exact results every time.¡± Dio walked back over to the presentation on the board and pointed to a few words. ¡°People carry a plethora of DNA after death. It fully decays tens of thousands of years after. Now of course we could have participants donate DNA while still alive, but I find that it is less time-consuming and tedious to handle the dead. Certain citizens can sign up to offer their bodies to science, like a DNR card, it''s very ethical and legal.¡± Dio grabbed a chair and pulled it closer to the audience. ¡°To answer your last question, which I think is the most important. Time motivates me. People are reckless by design, well not design but rather fault by the consequences of their various actions. Since Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, time became a slow ticking bomb of destruction. I think people would appreciate time if they had more of it. Any more questions?¡± ¡°I have a question Dr. Dio.¡± Said a woman in the front. ¡°If you had a chance at being resurrected, considering this is all theoretical science as of now, what would you do with that extra time?¡± ¡°That is a good question. Hmm. I guess I would right my wrongs and pray.¡± - - ¡°Are you seeing this? The guy is lying through his teeth,¡± Agent Enzo exclaimed, showing his phone to Agent Giani, looking at the press conference of Dr. Dio. ¡°Enzo, what do you think would happen if he told the truth? Imagine what the public would do if they found out all this stuff was real?¡± Giani stood up and poured herself a glass of water, waiting for their next orders from the Director. ¡°Yeah, I know, but that doesn¡¯t excuse how unethical this scientist is.¡± ¡°Most scientists are, the public doesn¡¯t care about ethics when new tech and drugs are rolled out. IQ trumps EQ every time.¡± The director walked in and shut the door. ¡°Good Morning Agents.¡± ¡°Morning Director Greco. Anything new for us?¡± Giani asked throwing her cup into the garbage. ¡°Yes, but before I get into that, how is the status of subject 004?¡± ¡°Well Director, this one is different,¡± interjected Enzo. ¡°Usually, they would malfunction or die off within a few days. If not to the modern necromancy tactics then because of whatever external issues they found themselves in.¡± The director took a seat, turning their head to face the talking operative. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Right. Salvatore is different. No one seems apprehensive of him, there don¡¯t seem to be any external problems for him other than the fight that occurred at the hospital. And he seems stronger and healthier than before. I hate to give credit to him but I think Dio did it.¡± ¡°And what about the surveillance? How is the memory retention going?¡± ¡°He has not caught on, which was the main concern with this subject. They often malfunction after becoming self-aware.¡± Enzo took a seat. ¡° We are now marching into unknown territory. We can see everything he sees and know what he does but unlike the others, we have no access to his brain. No communication in knowing what his motives are or what he thinks to do. Very dangerous if not monitored.¡± ¡°Very dangerous indeed,¡± The director started writing on a sheet of paper before getting up and heading towards the door. ¡°Well agents, do what I pay you to do. Keep a close eye on him, and write your reports on time. Ciao.¡± Giani waved as Enzo sighed. ¡°Why do I feel like we are glorified babysitters.¡± ¡°Because we are,¡± answered Giani, ¡°But hey we deserve an easy job. Watching him can¡¯t be that hard.¡± - - Frankie woke up groggy, not fully aware of his surroundings. He rolled off the cheap motel bed and went to wash his face. While he was finishing his morning routine his phone began to ring.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Hey, Frankie! How have you been? Heard you were in the hospital¡± He could not believe the voice on the other end. The snake. ¡°Caruso I should put a bullet in you. You know Lorenzo is dead! Why are you calling me?¡± ¡°Yeah I heard, sorry about Renzo, do you know who did him in?¡± ¡°No, But I will find out soon, and if you got something to do with this Rus. Mark my words, I will find you.¡± ¡°I know you are a man of your word, Frankie. But on my mother, I had no part in Lorenzo''s death. I would ask Dante about that.¡± ¡°Funny, Dante told me it was you.¡± Frank walked back into the room and turned on the television, flipping to the news station. ¡°So what do you want Caruso?¡± ¡°I think someone is after me.¡± ¡°You think, it¡¯s no surprise you have more enemies than friends.¡± Francesco eyed the TV. looking at the headline at the bottom of the screen. Scientist makes a bang in post-mortem cloning development and research! ¡°I deserve that, but c¡¯mon, let¡¯s meet up and I can also give you help in finding out who killed Lorenzo.¡± ¡°Fine. But if I sense any weird vibes from you, you won¡¯t have to worry about your other enemies. I mean it, Caruso.¡± Click. Frank¡¯s phone vibrated and he saw that Caruso sent him an address. Nico¡¯s. He hadn¡¯t been there in years, since he first joined all of this. - - Nico¡¯s was a safe haven. He was an older man who helped localize business in the town. Everyone called him Uncle Nico regardless of age or relation. So going there meant you left your guns outside and you could have serious conversations without getting shot out front the moment you stepped out. So Frank knew that whatever Caruso had to say was important. He walked around the block and tucked his shirt in, Nico was a stickler for rules. When he got inside he was greeted with old-timey music and a familiar scent of tomato paste and olive oil in the air. It reminded him of his wife. Bella would cook his Nonnas¡¯s recipe every Sunday. It felt like home. ¡°Francesco Salvatore! I haven¡¯t seen you in a while. You get tired of my cooking?¡± ¡°Ciao Uncle Nico. How are you?¡± He kissed the old man¡¯s cheek and took a seat at a table. ¡°You know I love your cooking. But too much of a good thing is bad Uncle.¡± Nico chuckled. ¡°Such a sweet talker, save that for the ladies. So what will it be?¡± ¡°You decide Uncle I trust your judgment.¡± ¡°If you trust my judgment, don¡¯t believe everything you see and hear. You have to decide for yourself what is good. And Caruso is not. I would stay away from him Nephew.¡± ¡°Stay away from who?¡± chimed Caruso as he walked through the door. ¡°Ruso, what did I say about your shoes? This is a fine establishment.¡± ¡°Uncle, Next time I will do better, next time.¡± Nico walked off with our order shaking his head into the kitchen. ¡°Old man always busting my balls.¡± ¡°Language, Rus.¡± ¡°Yeah. Yeah. Anyway how you been Frankie, how¡¯s your head?¡± ¡®My head?¡¯ Frank thought. I was only in the hospital for a few gunshot wounds, doctors said nothing about my head. ¡°I¡¯m fine, but you, what¡¯s the problem now Ruso?¡± Caruso looked around, checking his surroundings, then leaned in closer. ¡°Dante¡¯s got a hit on me.¡± ¡°Yeah right,¡± laughed Frank, stopping when he noticed Caruso was serious. More than serious, he was scared. ¡°He can¡¯t do that Rus, You''re a made man. Did the table say something?¡± ¡°No this is under the table. He wants to pin Renzo¡¯s murder on me. When he was in cahoots with the Barone family for the job.¡± ¡°And why would I believe that? I mean the Barone¡¯s, c¡¯mon Rus, those are our enemies. Also, what makes Dante want to use you as a scapegoat? What you got some dirt on him?¡± ¡°Yeah. But you have to promise me you¡¯ll help me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t make promises I can¡¯t keep Caruso. I will see if there is anything I can do no guarantees.¡± ¡°Thank you! That¡¯s all I ask. The name is-¡± BANG. BANG. BANG. Gunshots blared through the glass window, causing everyone in the restaurant to duck underneath their tables Frank dipped around his and ran into the kitchen to check on Nico who he saw standing in the doorway. ¡°Uncle Uncle are you okay!?¡± ¡°Yes. I am fine, but my restaurant, my life was in this place.¡± ¡°I know Unc. Just stay back here I have to go help out front.¡± Before Frank left out the door, Nico grabbed his arm and spoke. ¡°Trust. It is something one should not give out too easily.¡± Frank creeped out the door and ran towards Caruso who was shooting towards the entrance. ¡°It¡¯s him, it''s the man in the Navy. He was with the Barone¡¯s! Frank get out your gun, come on!¡± Frank felt conflicted, Nico¡¯s was built on rules, but this was a life-and-death situation. He pulled out his gun and shot the man in blue in the shoulder causing him to duck and run in the opposite direction. Sirens wailing down the road. As Frank got up he went around to check on everyone¡¯s safety when he got back to his table he saw Caruso on the ground gunshot to the chest. ¡°Ruso, Caruso! Somebody help!¡± Caruso grabbed his arm, whispering, ¡°Find Marco. He can shed some light. Marco.¡± His hand loosened and Caruso¡¯s body fell limp, police and first responders just arriving at the scene. Roundabout Frankie rushed reporters out of the restaurant, tired from the whole ordeal of a shootout at the supposed safest place in the neighborhood. As he closed the door and placed a tarp around the window, he couldn¡¯t block out the sound of broken glass crushing under his feet. ¡®I can¡¯t believe Caruso is dead.¡¯ He thought He didn¡¯t even get to solve what went down with the Lorenzo situation. Could Dante be behind this? Would his Dad not know? Or the Table? Lost in thought Frank knelt and started cleaning the glass, paying no attention, he nicked his finger on a large shard. As he looked down at his hand blood flowed out the color of motor oil. He was surprised and grabbed a napkin off the table. Looking down again the wound was red in nature. Strange, maybe the stress was getting to him. He finished cleaning and went to the kitchen where Nico was. ¡°Hey, Nico. How are you holding up?¡± ¡°Frankie, my boy, I am grateful for the help but can I get a few more minutes to myself? This was my baby.¡± Nico is a very old man. All he had was this restaurant and now it''s gone. His wife died a few decades ago and his children are far away, so all he did to keep himself company was take care of his restaurant and give out to the community. I will find out who did this. Nico''s was a safe zone and now it''s gone. I will find the man in the Navy if my last breath depends on it. ¡°I cleaned up out back, uncle. I''m going down the street for a few more supplies. If you need anything, just call.¡± ¡° Oh don''t worry yourself. I can send a few of the neighbor''s kids to go get that stuff, just go find out what happened to Caruso. Although I didn''t trust him, he doesn''t deserve to die like that no man does.¡± Nico grabbed some boxes and placed broken dishes inside. ¡° All right call me if you need anything, bye uncle,¡± waved Frank, going towards the entrance. ¡° See you later Frankie. Goodbyes are forever. I don¡¯t know if I can wait that long.¡± - - Walking out of the destroyed restaurant, Frankie was determined. Determined to find out what happened to Caruso who called out the hit on Lorenzo, and where he could find this Marco guy. Crossing the street and turning the corner of the block he couldn''t shake the feeling that someone was following him. He placed his hand under his shirt on his gun waiting for the man behind him to make the first move. As he stopped at the light, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and just as he was about to pull out his weapon he turned and saw that it was the same agent he had seen at the police station a few days back ¡°Do you need something agent?¡± Frank inquired fixing his shirt. ¡°Mr. Salvatore, I thought that was you. I have a few follow-up questions to ask you.¡± Mentioned Agent Enzo, gesturing they both crossed the street. As they both sat at a table outside of a small cafe, Frank was silent, wondering why so many people were seeking him out in the past few days. ¡°Agent I am busy, if we could postpone this for another time, that would be great.¡± ¡°Uh-uh Mr. Salvatore, this won¡¯t take long at all,¡± spoke the agent, stirring their expresso, purposely prolonging the interaction between the two of them. ¡°Where were you during the shootout down the block yesterday?¡± ¡°If you have any questions about that, you can just get the official report from the police, or ask the owner himself. I don¡¯t see why you need to hear it from my lips.¡± ¡°A cautious man, I see,¡± Enzo sipped his drink and set his cup down. ¡°That was a test. The name is Enzo, Marco Enzo.¡± ¡°Francesco.¡± He muttered, shaking the agent''s hand, receiving his card in the process. ¡°Now that we are acquainted I should get going. Very busy like I said.¡± ¡°Sure. I will see you around. To next time Mr. Salvatore.¡± ¡®That can¡¯t be the Marco, Caruso was talking about. I mean what would he be doing talking to an agent? I knew he was a rat, but I thought he worked with the other Families. Not the Feds.¡¯ Thought Frankie, walking down the street before dipping into an alley. He contemplated what he should do, reaching into his pocket to phone a friend. ¡°Hey Sylvio, I need to ask you a favor. Can we meet up, yours at nine?¡± ¡°Sure cousin, sure,¡± spoke the man on the phone before hanging up. As Frank walked up the cobblestone stairs and got near the door. There were so many thoughts swirling in his head. What would an Agent want with him? Something in the back of his mind kept telling him he was connected to all of these events, but he wasn¡¯t sure how. Hopefully, Sylvio could shed some light. He knocked on the door waiting for the older man to open it. ¡°Frankie, How are you doing? You sounded like the Feds were after you with that call.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. He patted him on the shoulder and walked in. ¡°Not so good Syl. ¡°Sorry to hear that, I also heard that our friend went downstream. Not so much a friend but a member of the Marino¡¯s nonetheless.¡± Sylvio poured a glass of water and sat down. ¡°Yeah, Caruso is gone, not sure why though. Was the same guy who had it out for me at the hospital.¡± Francesco knew he didn¡¯t have to fill Sylvio in on all the details that had transpired the past week. The older man had resources and connections everywhere. ¡°That¡¯s why I am here. I need help finding someone.¡± ¡°Sure, cousin, but something tells me you need a few favors not just one.¡± He shifted in his chair. ¡°I keep business rolling by helping others. So, the first one I will help you with but after that you have to give something to me.¡± Sylvio was crafty, a man of his word but crafty. ¡°Okay, sure. Who was the Marco that Caruso was in contact with?¡± Sylvio chuckled. ¡°I keep telling you you need to wise up Frank. It seems you¡¯ve met him already.¡± Shocked, ¡°How did you know!?¡± ¡°Come on Frankie, If I shared my sources I would end up like Caruso, that gavone.¡± ¡°So, who was behind the Lorenzo thing?¡± Sylvio¡¯s face turned serious. ¡°That¡¯ll cost you, are you sure Francesco? I expect my end no matter the person.¡± Did I want to do this, I mean, I could find out quicker trailing Caruso¡¯s tail. Maybe I can come back. ¡°I will wait for the answer to that.¡± ¡°Well then my friend, as you give up your chance now, the next time you come, you will owe double. Those are my conditions, Cousin.¡± ¡°I know. Thank you, Syl. See you later.¡± ¡°Bye Frankie, Next time don¡¯t come smelling so fresh. If you know what I mean.¡± Fresh? What could that mean? As Frankie shook the thought off, he felt for the business card in his pocket and dialed the agent. ¡®Syl couldn¡¯t be wrong. I mean he¡¯s never wrong. Then again I thought Nico¡¯s was a safe space.¡¯ - - ¡°Mr. Salvatore, I knew you would call me back soon. Didn¡¯t think it would be on the same day though.¡± The agent sat on the bench and looked forward not showing the man sitting next to him any attention. ¡°Right, I like to move quickly. But don¡¯t get it twisted, I came to find out what happened to Caruso. Not to answer any questions about anything else. Capice?¡± ¡°I see that mobsters are lacking in manners lately, but I¡¯ll bite. Caruso was an informant for me. He sold out some people to get a lower sentence we were going to pull him in for.¡± Francesco knew it. Everyone knew Caruso was a rat, but wasn¡¯t this agent speaking too freely? ¡°Before we continue, why are you sharing all this with me so easily?¡± ¡°You guys are so indecisive, do you want answers or not? But to indulge in whatever is going on in that head. I like you, Francesco. You help the community, no bad record. Not even a speeding ticket. So I am intrigued that so many have it out for you.¡± What could he be implying? Francesco only helped and never crossed anyone who didn¡¯t have it coming for them already. Even the other families saw no trouble when he walked into their area. That was the one thing he prided himself on. Being for the people. A good guy. ¡°Who?¡± The agent got up and put his sunglasses on. ¡° Someone is watching you. Someone very close, and your enemies are even closer. I suggest you uncover the dirt the Marino family is hiding before you end up like your loved ones. Caruso, Lorenzo, and Isabella.¡± He slipped his coat back on and walked away. ¡®Isabella?¡¯ What could this have to do with her? Frank stood up. ¡°Hey! What is going on?¡± The agent ignored him and kept walking, anticipating he would get another call very soon. So many questions and still no answers. As Frank got up he began walking home. Passing by some regulars on the street he waved and helped where he could. He ran to help an old lady cross the street, picking up the groceries she dropped on the ground. After that, he continued on his path, still confused about what his purpose in this mess was. As he dipped the corner he saw the silhouette of a woman. At first, he thought he was hallucinating, the woman looked a lot like his late wife. ¡®It couldn¡¯t be Frank. Bella is gone.¡¯ As he contemplated his vision, he sped up to ask the lady a question, in an effort to bring some peace to his mind that his wife was gone. ¡°Excuse me, Miss?¡± he said. And just as she began to turn around, another figure came and punched him square in the jaw. Whack. He staggered and touched his face, vision blurring with impact. Just as he was starting to gain his footing, the mysterious man swung again, missing as Frank stepped back, cocking his fists into the air, blocking the jab coming for him. As Frank threw a jab at the guy¡¯s rib, he looked and saw that the woman was gone. Angry at the interruption, he threw another punch; which was blocked by the assailant. The masked man, coincidently in blue, sidestepped and kicked Frankie¡¯s side, throwing more punches in his direction, before picking him up and slamming Frank to the ground. Frank gasped as the air in his lungs escaped, rolling just in time to miss the Man in Navy¡¯s shoes stomping near his head. He stood and threw another hook at the man''s jaw, landing this time, before grabbing him and jabbing his back with further hits. The man wiggled free from his attacks, throwing his hits, missing and landing a few in the process. Just as he was about to win in his endeavor, Francesco, ducked grabbed a trash can, and threw it at the guy. It caused him to stumble back dazed, as Frank trucked forward and tackled the man to the ground, holding him as he lifted this thorn in his side¡¯s mask. Who he saw caused him to stand up, tripping over his own feet, as the guy in blue jumped, pulling his mask back down and running away. ¡°Lorenzo?¡± Frank spat into the wind, shocked that his closest friend was not dead, seemed to not know him, but even worse, wanted to kill him. D茅jè„¿ Vu "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" -Abraham Lincoln And vice-versa. - - ¡®I don¡¯t understand.¡¯ Francesco was running. Frantically in motion, with no destination. Taking in breaths, air filling his lungs, igniting them with questions that burned within. He decided to get up and run after them, the woman and the man in navy blue. But they vanished in thin air. They were just gone, and it had him questioning everything. Maybe he was hallucinating. No, Lorenzo was dead. He saw it, he saw as he got shot in the shoulder, and he saw as, or at least he could¡¯ve sworn that Dante was involved but someone gave him that finishing blow. At least that is what he thinks he remembers. ¡®No,¡¯ he whispers to himself, if there were only one thing he could trust, it would be what he remembers. His mind can¡¯t fail him yet. Not now. And Isabella. She was dead. He remembers that all too well. ¡°I am so sorry son.¡± Mr. Marino said giving Frankie a heartfelt hug as he ushered in guests to express their condolences. ¡°She was the best of us, Frank. And she loved you,¡± an aunt uttered, handing him a dish of food. ¡°As I loved her,¡± spoke Frank, stricken with grief, not fully at the moment as his head kept thinking back to the day she told him she was sick. He didn¡¯t believe her. How could he? Every time he got up she offered him a vitamin, exercised daily, and took those disgusting wheatgrass shots just for the kick of it. How unfair that the most health-conscious was unprepared for the not-so-silent killer. Cancer. At that point in his life, he spent all he had on her care. She begged him not to but how could he let his light and love dim due to worldly possessions such as money and cars? So he spent everything, and the doctors gave half promises they couldn¡¯t keep and she left him in this cold place alone. The day she slipped away was one of the better ones. She was up smiling and staring in his direction in wonder. ¡°I will miss you,¡± softly muttered Bella. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. You told me you would hold on. You can¡¯t miss me when I am right here.¡± He reassured squeezing her hand, as her eyes shut in relief riddled with dejection. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± she replied squinting. ¡°Can you shut the blinds for me, please? I already have you to light up my world, the sun would be overkill.¡± She always said that to him when he was down. As he got up to close the window attempting to ease the pain in any way possible, she slept the eternal dream. And as he shook her shoulders and felt for a pulse, he knew it was futile. As quick as it came, his love drifted, and he was alone once more. The following months after her death were a nightmare. In the literal sense, he couldn¡¯t catch a minute of sleep without dreaming that everything was a lie, and she would come slithering into bed, assuring him she was alive and well, causing his biggest hope to crush his heart again every night. He felt as if he were grasping at straws, a pawn in someone else¡¯s game. So where was his light at the end of the tunnel? Just as his flashback came to an end, he thought his prayers were answered. A bright light shone in his direction, closing his eyes to accept his fate as a loud honk emanated in the air. ¡°Hey! Get out of the street you wacko!¡± A cab driver yelled, swerving and throwing his head out of the window. He jumped into a bush to duck the oncoming traffic, losing the trail he had on the two. ¡®Just great,¡¯ he slumped, sitting on the curb, ¡®I lost them, and I am pretty sure I am screwed in the head because I am hallucinating, the two most precious people in my life that are gone. Just great.¡¯ He got up and dusted his pants, walking in defeat back to his hotel, as the phone in his pocket began ringing. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Mr. Salvatore. I think it is best if you come and see me now. I have the answers you are looking for.¡± ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t appreciate you calling me Agent. I am a little busy maybe next time.¡± ¡°I must warn you, you are in a lot of danger.¡± Urged the Agent, a plea lacing his voice. ¡°Well, thank you for the concerns, but everyone in this city is in danger. I have to go now. Bye.¡± He rushed, hanging up the phone, turning his heel, and heading back to Sylvio¡¯s place. - - ¡°Francesco. I was expecting you, but not on the same day.¡± ¡°I know. But I have a few questions, and they can¡¯t wait.¡± He urged shutting the door behind himself.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°You do know the consequences of coming to me for aid? It is a give-and-take business.¡± Sylvio mentioned before sitting in his seat. ¡°Yes, cousin I do. But the questions I have are worth the repercussions.¡± ¡°So you say. You might come to resent me after today. But no regrets are allowed.¡± ¡°Cross my heart,¡± Frankie gestured. ¡°And hope to die,¡± added Sylvio. ¡°Alright spill your questions and I will give my request.¡± ¡°Just one request? For all my questions, you only want me to do one favor for you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Just one favor. But come on. I have places to be soon. A friend of mine passed away. I am planning the funeral. Got to talk to his loved ones soon.¡± ¡°Wait who died?¡± Paused Frankie. Sylvio gave him a look of displeasure. ¡°Right. Well, my first question would be, is Lorenzo really dead?¡± Sylvio straightened his back staring at the man in front of him as if he just insulted his mother or something. ¡°Yes, my boy. Renzo is dead.¡± ¡°How do you know? I mean I was there and I don¡¯t remember him dying. I think.¡± ¡°Looks like you got hit in your head harder than I thought. Francesco, Lorenzo is a dead man. He had enemies, much closer than you think.¡± ¡°Really, like who? I don¡¯t see why anyone would want to kill him. He was a family guy.¡± ¡°People get jealous of simple living the most. It makes them angry to see someone enjoy life in its rawest form. Lorenzo had friends and enemies.¡± Syl sipped some water. ¡°But why are you asking this?¡± ¡°I just got into a fight,¡± stated Frankie. ¡°I can see that, you look like hell.¡± Sylvio chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s true. But when I was wailing on the guy I got a hold of his mask and I saw that it was Lorenzo.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Syl said not fully convinced. ¡°Why were you fighting this guy again?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I mean I was following this woman.¡± ¡°Oh, a woman. I am surprised. I thought you were still caught up on Bella.¡± ¡°I know. But she was Bella.¡± ¡°Right. So you saw Bella, some guy got mad, and when you got his mask you saw it was Renzo?¡± ¡°Yes. I know that sounds crazy but it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Okay. I am not one to judge the sick. So what do you want from me?¡± ¡°I need help. This guy or Lorenzo, we fought at the hospital when I first woke up think you can help me find him?¡± Francesco pleaded. ¡°Or at least the girl. I at least want to confirm I am not hallucinating.¡± ¡°Right because that is a major concern. I will see what I can do. Any more questions?¡± ¡°Yes. What do you know about agent Enzo?¡± ¡°Not much, and by that I mean a lot. He was top at the academy, a stickler for rules, and he has a partner Giani. They are over the narcotics and whatnot department. People who look for guys like us. Why?¡± ¡°No reason. He reached out trying to find answers on the Causo issue at Nico¡¯s. I was wondering if I should just drop it.¡± ¡°I would. Can¡¯t be confusing the Feds as the good guys, they will use any tactic in the book to catch us. So a little word of advice. Stay away from Enzo, kid.¡± ¡°I will. Thank you, Syl.¡± Frankie got up and walked closer to the door. ¡°Oh, what about your favor?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not much. I want you to go check on my brother for me.¡± ¡°Mr. Marino? I mean why, what¡¯s up.¡± ¡°Nothing. Figured you were avoiding your Father-in-law since the warehouse shooting. But I was told he misses you. He told me to tell you to reach out and stop by the joint.¡± ¡°Alright. I mean I would have done that regardless, I''ve just been a bit busy, you know?¡± ¡°Right, well it is nice seeing you, Frankie. I got to go now.¡± ¡°Oh yeah, Sylvio. I forgot, who died again?¡± he asked, grabbing his coat off the rack. Sylvio held a gun to the back of Francesco¡¯s head and pulled the trigger. A loud bang rattled the hallway, blood splattering in an almost whimsical fashion amongst the paint. Frankie¡¯s body slumped to the ground as Sylvio stepped back. ¡°You did.¡± - - ¡°Dante. It¡¯s done. Don¡¯t ask me to do anything like this again, I don¡¯t like getting my hands dirty. Or my walls.¡± Sylvio spat into the phone, disgusted by the sight in front of him. ¡°Sorry Uncle I won¡¯t. Dad says hello by the way.¡± ¡°Tell your father he is a letdown to this family. A man like him should die along with Francesco. At least Frankie was honorable. He can take his hellos and shove them elsewhere.¡± ¡°You know I can¡¯t say that to him, Uncle.¡± ¡°Like father like son. Bunch of wusses.¡± Sylvio sat in his chair lighting a cigar in the meantime. ¡°Send someone to clean this mess up.¡± Dante dialed Dio. ¡°He¡¯s at Sylvio¡¯s. I would come to get him before the police do. Local Feds love spreading rumors.¡± ¡°Thank you for murdering my life¡¯s work, Dante.¡± ¡°Whatever. If you did your experiments right, he wouldn¡¯t be so close to finding out the truth. No would he? Some scientist.¡± Dante mentioned. Dio chuckled amused with the wittiness of his counterpart on the phone. ¡°Pleasure doing business with you Mr. Marino.¡±