Vito's possession

The Lie

The photograph was still sitting on Lina's table.

She had been staring at it for almost an hour.

Her mother.

The strange man beside her.

And those four words.

Ask Don Rocco why.

Lina didn't understand any of it. She picked up the picture again.

Who are you, she whispered.

Her mother had never talked about the mafia. Not directly.

She had only told Lina one thing again and again.

Stay away from dangerous people.

Lina used to think she meant thieves.

Now she wasn't so sure.

A knock came from the back door. Lina jumped.

She quickly put the photograph inside a drawer.

Another knock.

Lina?

She knew that voice.

Maya?

Lina hurried to the back door and opened it.

Maya stood there holding two bags of food.

You look terrible, Maya said.

Thank you.

I mean it in a loving way.

Lina gave her a small smile. Maya walked inside and looked around.

Where are your guards?

Outside.

Good.

Maya put the food on the counter.

I brought lunch.

I’m not hungry.

You haven't eaten?

Lina shook her head. Maya frowned.

Lina.

I’m fine.

You always say that when you are not fine.

Lina looked away. Maya knew her too well.

What happened?

Nothing.

Lina.

She sighed. Then she opened the drawer. Maya took out the photograph. Her smile disappeared.

What is this?

I don't know.

Maya looked at the picture.

That's your mother.

I know.

And that's...

Who?

I don't know.

Maya turned the photograph over. She read the words.

Ask Don Rocco why.

She looked at Lina.

Don Rocco?

Lina nodded.

Vito said my mother knew him.

Maya sat down.

Lina, this is bad.

I know.

You need to leave.

Where would I go?

Anywhere.

Lina laughed sadly.

I don't have anywhere.

Maya took her hand.

You have me.

Lina looked at her.

I know.

For a moment, neither girl spoke. Then Maya noticed something else.

Wait.

She pointed at the photograph.

Look at the building.

Lina leaned closer. Behind her mother was an old building with a large clock above the door.

I have seen that place, Lina said.

Where?

I don't know.

Maya stared at it.

Think.

Lina closed her eyes. Then she remembered.

Her mother used to take her there when she was little. Not often. Maybe twice.

She remembered sitting in the car. Her mother telling her to stay inside. And the clock.

The old train station, Lina whispered.

Maya looked at her.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Lina stood.

My mother took me there.

When?

I don't remember.

Can we go?

Lina hesitated. She knew it was dangerous. But she also knew she couldn't keep living without answers.

I need to know what happened to her.

Maya stood too.

Then we go together.

---

Across the city, Vito stood in a dark warehouse.

A man sat tied to a chair. His face was bruised.

Marco stood beside Vito.

He was watching Lina's shop, Marco said.

Vito looked at the man.

Who sent you?

The man stayed silent. Vito pulled out his phone and showed him a picture of Lina.

You know her?

The man's eyes moved to the phone. That was enough.

Vito's voice became colder.

Who sent you?

Salvatore.

Vito's jaw tightened.

What does he want?

The man laughed nervously.

She isn't the reason.

Vito stepped closer.

Then what is?

The mark.

Vito stopped.

What did you say?

The girl has the mark.

Marco looked at Vito. The man swallowed.

Salvatore wants the girl alive.

Why?

I don't know.

Vito grabbed the chair and pulled it closer.

You have five seconds.

I swear! I don't know!

Vito stared at him. The man looked terrified. Then he finally spoke.

Salvatore thinks she has something that belonged to her mother.

Vito's heart dropped.

What?

I don't know.

Vito looked at Marco.

Find everything you can about Elena.

Already doing it.

And find Salvatore.

Marco nodded. Vito walked away.

His phone buzzed. A message.

Lina left the shop with Maya.

Vito stared at the screen.

Where are they going?

Another message came.

Old train station.

Vito's face changed.

Get the car.

---

Lina and Maya reached the old train station just before sunset.

The place looked forgotten. Broken windows. Old signs. Dust everywhere.

Lina walked slowly.

I remember this.

Maya stayed close.

Your mother brought you here?

Yes.

Lina looked around.

I remember sitting near that wall.

They walked toward it. Lina touched the old bricks. Nothing.

Then she noticed something. A small metal box was hidden behind a loose brick.

Maya.

What?

Look.

Together they pulled the brick out. There was a small box inside. Lina's hands shook. She opened it.

Inside was a necklace.

A small silver circle with a line through it. The same mark on her wrist.

Lina stared.

My mother left this.

Maya touched the necklace.

What else is inside?

There was a folded piece of paper. Lina opened it.

Only one sentence was written.

If anything happens to me, trust no one from the Rocco family.

Lina's heart stopped. Maya looked at her.

Lina...

A sound came from behind them. Footsteps.

Both girls turned. A man stood at the end of the hallway. He wore a dark coat.

Lina grabbed Maya's arm.

Run.

They ran. The man followed. Lina's heart slammed against her chest. They turned a corner. Another man appeared.

Maya grabbed Lina and pulled her into an old room. They hid behind a broken wall. Footsteps passed outside. Lina covered her mouth. Maya held her hand.

They waited. One minute. Two. Then the footsteps disappeared.

We need to leave, Maya whispered.

Lina nodded.

They moved quietly toward another exit. Then a car stopped outside. Black. Lina knew that car.

The door opened. Vito stepped out. He looked furious.

Lina!

She ran toward him. Vito caught her shoulders.

What were you thinking?

I needed answers.

You could have been killed.

I know.

You don't just disappear!

I didn't disappear.

You went to an abandoned train station!

Lina stared at him.

How did you know?

Vito stopped. She understood.

You were following me.

I was protecting you.

You were watching me.

Yes.

Lina pulled away.

I can't breathe around you.

Vito's face fell. He looked like she had slapped him. Maya stepped between them.

She's scared.

Vito looked at Maya.

I know.

Lina took out the necklace. Vito saw it. His eyes widened.

Where did you get that?

The station.

She handed him the paper. Vito read it. His face became pale.

What?

He read it again.

Trust no one from the Rocco family.

Vito looked at Lina.

You can't show this to anyone.

Why?

Because if this is real...

What?

Vito looked toward the station.

Your mother may have been trying to escape.

Lina's eyes filled with tears.

From Don Rocco?

I don't know.

But you think so.

Yes.

A gunshot suddenly cracked through the air. Maya screamed. Vito pushed both girls down. Another shot hit the car.

Vito pulled his gun.

Stay behind me.

Men started running from the station. Vito fired back. The street exploded into noise.

Lina froze. Then she saw one man moving toward Maya.

Maya!

Lina grabbed a piece of broken wood and threw it. The man stumbled. Maya ran.

Vito turned and fired. The man dropped his weapon and ran. The others disappeared into the darkness.

Silence returned. Vito looked at Lina. She was shaking. But she was still standing.

Are you hurt?

She shook her head.

Maya looked at the necklace.

Who were those people?

Vito didn't answer. His phone rang. He looked at the screen.

Don Rocco.

Vito answered.

What?

Don Rocco's voice was calm.

Bring the girl to me.

Vito's eyes hardened.

No.

There was silence. Then Don Rocco laughed.

You don't understand, Vito.

What?

That girl doesn't belong to you.

Vito looked at Lina. Don Rocco continued.

She belongs to the past.

The call ended. Vito lowered the phone.

Lina looked at him.

What did he say?

Vito didn't answer immediately. Then he looked at the necklace in her hand.

And for the first time, Vito was truly afraid.

Because whatever Lina's mother had been hiding...

Don Rocco was willing to kill for it.