Causeless cruelty

***

Mercy

Lord Jesus, Son of God,

Have mercy on me,

a sinner.

- Author Unknown

***

Ave stepped away from the chair the man was sitting on and gave it a strong kick. It twirled around with the man desperately trying to keep balance. This scene lasted only for a few seconds before the chair fell on the floor. Witnessing it was enough for her, so she walked towards the stairs. Leo opened his mouth as if to say something but Ave only paid him a short glance. He also felt like crying. Her eyes were as cold and lifeless as that night…

Ave walked past them, climbing up the. She sat near one of the big boxes, her back leaning on it. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes, she lit up one, blowing the smoke with a sigh of relief. Leo was already next to the box, Georgio following far behind. He once again tried to say something but this time he was interrupted.

-         Stinks in there now…. – Ave said calmly, observing the ceiling. Leo froze in place while Georgio just waited to see how things would turn out.

-         Ave…- Leo began to speak up but to say what? She could not do this? It was cruel of her? She averted her gaze, looking him in the eyes, slowly turning her head in his direction. Good, he got her attention and she did not seem pissed. Might be good. – Don’t kill him. – Leo whispered and he knew he had fucked up with this request when she glared at him, her eyebrows fused. She got up.

-         I hate the Caravellas. –she declared, the cigarette end slipped through her fingers and fell on the dusty floor. While the little spark was still trying to burn up more and more of it, she stepped on it, putting out the remaining fire.

-         I know, but-

-         Of course, you know. – She interrupted. – It is because of you. I will never forget even when you do. – Her voice was low and husky. What she had said, it was deliberate. Leo froze in shock remembering that day. Yes, it was 7 years ago but they both remembered it so vividly as if it were yesterday. He remembered the sunny day, the shining sun, that day in the middle of spring a decade ago… It was her nightmare and his biggest regret.

He sulked again; his heart was aching at the memory. With a palm on the enormous box and he sat down, his back leaning on it. It was the exact same place she was sitting on a moment ago. He opened his mouth and closed it in hesitation. He stared at the floor, so hard a hole had started opening; he wished it would give him an answer. Placing his forehead on his knees, curling up like a child, he finally answered.

-         Do whatever you want. – She already knew she had his blessing. As long as she was on his side, she was free and he was closer to salvation. Or so it was supposed to be.

Ave did not answer. She lit up another cigarette and looked out of one of the windows. The trees seemed so sad, this grey…. She blew the smoke and threw away another cigarette end. Before proceeding to go back down, she looked at Leo again. Her heart clenched with pain in its cage. Maybe she went too far this time… No, she was right? But couldn’t she have been nicer? It was said and done, so she walked towards the door. Georgio passed his friend a pack of cigarettes and followed Ave suit.

She went back next to the fallen chair. Georgio knew better and stayed by the stair case.

-         Poor you. – She spoke softly and lifted the chair back up untying both the clothing on his eyes and the clothing on his mouth. – See what you did to yourself? You were naughty. If you were a good boy… - she stopped and grabbed his face and forced him to look at her. – You wouldn’t be here to begin with. – Her eyes were still cold but softer. The man was scared, in pain, confused and tears were rolling from his sore eyes. Ave let go of his face and crouched before him, sighing. – This time, let’s make a deal. – Her gaze was trying to meet his but his head was held so low, eyes staring at the floor, she couldn’t. – If you tell me the answer to 3 questions, I will let you step on this staircase free. I won’t look for you, or your family. No one, we’ll leave you alone. Please, be a good boy, would you? Help me and I will help you… please. – She talked so softly, her voice was like honey; she was looking at him with such soft and sad eyes that when his hopeful still full of terror eyes met hers, he thought she regretted her actions. He really wanted to go home.

-         Okay… - he said giving in. Ave smiled sympathetically at him, her eyes getting softer by the moment.

-         That’s it, good boy. – She praised him smiling slightly, getting up. – Did the Caravella sent you here? – The man nodded and she went on. – Why?

The man averted his gaze. He squeezed his eyes for a moment, in the back he saw that man…. Why was he here? He was glaring at him with his piercing cold green eyes, making him shiver. What a stone cold face he made when their faces met… And he thought he saw him smirking a minute ago.

-         To acquire information on what the Alesi family is up to. – He said in a low voice, looking up at her. It wasn’t enough, she waited for more and he gave her what she desired. – They want to sell you out to the police and destroy your business… - Ave was satisfied with the information despite her angered expression.

-         Last one, as promised. Why did they send you? – He twitched in his seat.

-         I am not part of the family… My brother has a debt to pay to the boss so… - he mumbled awkwardly avoiding her gaze. Ave sighed and closed her eyes. Looking at him smiling, she took out the dagger and walked towards him. His eyes were about to come out of their orbits. She brandished the knife and threw it aside. He was free but he did not get up. His heart was beating so fast, his body was overwhelmed with adrenaline.

-         A promise is a promise. – Ave assured and he slowly got up. Once on his feet he stomped to the staircase. He stopped right before it. He couldn’t think about anything but going back home. He couldn’t believe it. He made it! And so he stepped on the first step and he felt a sharp pain in his back. He looked back, stumbling on the staircase, falling. His eyes, they were again filled with terror.

-         Monster… - he spoke, it sounded like some unrecognizable sound, rather of an animal than a human; now that he knew, there was no reason to be careful with his words. His fate had long been decided. Ave’s figure hovered over him, those cold, emotionless eyes as if made of glass cutting through him.

-         Maybe. – She stated again with that painfully stone-cold face, it looked so sad and lonely, it could eat you up. Before he knew it she had stabbed the back of his neck.

A few moments passed, filled with unbearable silence. She felt so nauseous that she had to cover up her mouth with her hand. Georgio walked towards her, facing her back.

-         Leo must be waiting, let’s go and- he was interrupted by Ave suddenly pinning him against the wall, a small knife pressed to his collarbone.

-         Yes, we should. – She answered with no hesitation. – However, we have to make one thing clear. - It was his turn to meet those deadly scary eyes fixated at him. They were pretty. – I don’t trust you. If you think I was stupid enough not to notice him giving you pleading glances, you’re wrong. One false step and I will slither your throat. – She hissed their faces inches apart. He looked back at her with such big and innocent eyes, a playful and confused expression until he finally smirked.

-         Yeah? How unfortunate, you’re real fun, ma’am. – His face inched closer. – I would like to spend some time with you before you decide to see me off. – He smirked wider. Ave was so annoyed that she pulled away and loosened her grip so he suddenly fell on his butt.

***

When Ave walked out, the main room was empty. Oh, no… She rushed through the massive doors and dashed to where the car was. There he was, under a big fir tree, resting under its shadow. She almost sighed aloud. She hesitated but sat next to him. She opened her mouth but he stood up and got in the car. His eyes were sad, almost empty, a shade haunting them… Ave looked at the ground ashamed. There were about 7 put out cigarette ends….

-Do I get to drive? – Georgio asked looking down at her under the fir tree’s shade almost like three days ago.

-As if! – She scoffed. – I cannot risk going through another traumatic experience!

-That so? – He smirked. – Are you allowed to drive? You are a wo-

-Watch your mouth, rascal. – She hissed glaring at him. He playfully put his hands up in defeat, obviously taking her anger too slightly.

***

Leo walked straight to his room and did not say a word to anyone on the way. Ave had agreed to stay home on top of that. The mansion felt so inhospitable all of the sudden.

He plopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling. That day… Yes, there was no way she would forget it, but so couldn’t he… If he weren’t so greedy, if he weren’t so childish, if he was just a little more careful, if he was just a little more caring, maybe nothing would have happened. It would have been that sunny day in the middle of May, the wind gently blowing, the blue sky above the city, the blooming flowers, the green trees, the wet grass… Yes, it would have been a day out in the city. It would have been a simple day out.          It would have been a nice spring day. But what was done could never be forgiven and he knew. He was seeking for remission, salvation from this endless chase with guilt that he had never won. It always caught up before he could run. Today was a little faster than usual maybe.

A knock on the door interrupted the flow of thoughts that were honestly going nowhere.  He said nothing. He knew who it was anyway. The door opened.

-I talked with your dad and he seems to have a deal for us. - She stopped for a moment. Leo persistently continued on staring at the ceiling. - In two days we will be off to Naples. We will pass by the factory to pick up the stock. Be ready, we will be setting off early. – She declared, he just turned around so his back would face her. She was hurting. However, she walked out and closed the door.

“She did it again….” He thought.

***

-Leo!

-Papa! – The little boy ran towards the big man under the oak tree in the backyard. He jumped into his arms and fell into his embrace. The man spun him around and they both laughed.

- How is my little jewel doing? – Leo’s dad asked. Leo smiled and showed him a superb wooden car.

-You like it? – Leo eagerly nodded smiling widely. The man patted his head.

It was a snowy winter day. It was cold, the ground was covered with a thick layer of snow, and the oak tree was naked and ugly, only а little snow had managed to cover it up so slightly.

***

Maybe he should have kept it when he found out, because ashes wouldn’t comfort him now.

***

Ave locked the door to her room and sat down, her back pressed against it. Why was she so sad? Why would she come back home? She truly wanted to cry but on that spring day, all her tears ran out. She knew Leo wouldn’t forget nor forgive himself and still… Who else was there to blame?

What happened today… Remembering the man’s happiness when he was set free, his terrified face when he died, his eyes wide open, his mouth agape, saliva and blood dripping on the floor, blood spilling, so much blood… This time she couldn’t control herself. This time she barfed on the floor… Disgusting, disgusting, so awful, filthy…

She crawled on her fours to the nightstand and got a bottle of whiskey. She opened it, threw the cap across her room and took a big sip. She hated the taste of it. It was bitter; it hurt her throat to swallow. Even so, she just kept on hitting the bottle.

***

Georgio was already in his apartment, smoking on the balcony, indulging himself to a drink. Wasn’t today a good day? Pretty exciting even. How amusing. He was eager to start work at the least.

The moon was shining, it was exceptionally bright tonight. It brought light and comfort to his lonely apartment. A chilly fresh night and the night sky so beautiful. It really was June. It was hot but chills were running down his spine. He could not stop thinking about it. She was obviously gagging back then. After doing all this… Was she perhaps guilty? Disgusted? Fascinating! Absolutely amusing… How attractive…

Suddenly the phone rang. He went in to pick it up. Indeed, it was nice, he smiled. It was definitely intriguing. The news was calling for a bottle of vodka to celebrate. He had a day to sober up before work as it seemed.

Cheers!