Phantom

Chapter One: Endings and beginnings

I had a fairly normal life, but one moment changed the path which my life was on I believe each decision causes a ripple effect on our lives that one moment will cause a domino like effect and determines the road life takes.

Lets start at a beginning, the beginning of the end of my life. It started with a cigarette and a cappuccino and the most beautiful sunrise I have seen to date. That was only a day ago. One day was all it took for my entire life to change. I woke up especially early just to watch the sun rise. I ran down to the kitchen to my awaiting cappuccino.

My matte black lighter in the pocket of my cardigan with my box of cigarettes my studded boots squeaking on the tiles as I made my way into the kitchen. "Good morning Maria, thank you for the cappuccino!" I shouted as I began making my way out of the house my freshly curled hair bouncing as I moved swiftly to get outside. Before I stepped out the house I heard Maria shout down the stairs "You welcome Isabella!"

I stepped out the door and as soon as the clean morning air filled my lunges I closed my eyes in content. I looked at the scene before me the small tint in the sky letting me know that the sun would be rising soon. I walked briskly over the grass hills, past flowers and a pond the trees blowing past. While trying not to spill my coffee. I made it up the steps of the canopy and rested my coffee on the ledge and lit my cigarette. I put my lighter next to my coffee and pressed shuffle on my phone and I stood facing the lake waiting for an indication of the sun.

I looked across the water of the lake, everything here is so quiet and peaceful. I can sit in this garden for hours writing our singing or just reading a book. When I looked up the sky was lit up with shades of purple, pink and red. Making the sky fill with a beautiful Ombre.

Then I realized that it was a memory from yesterday morning. I ran my hand through my mass of coal black curls slightly swaying my hips to Professional by The Weeknd and took another drag from my Marlboro. The cold from the balcony tile making some living cell within me shiver. I blew the smoke out shakily as my cardigan fell off my shoulder exposing my tank top and pajama pants I look down to my onyx colored toe nails the moon and sun from my anklet resting on my ankle bone.

I threw the cigarette butt into the fountain below me. A gust of wind blows my hair to the back causing waves of goosebumps to cover my body. 

I went into my room undressing my way into my shower leaving a trail of clothes in my wake. I turn on the hot water seeking something, anything to make me feel. I put my hand against the heating tiles as lava - like water scalds my head going down my body. My body arched to the front when the water scalded my back, and flashes begin to appear in my minds eye.

My studded biker boots moving in slow motion as I look at him, questioning if this could really be him all the while knowing that signature sleeked back hair style, the confidence radiating from his broad shoulders. "Giovanni." I said in disbelieve.

My heartrate quickened as I gravitated towards him barely hearing the screeching tires and seeing his smile slowly turn to a deep frown with shock evident in his eyes and then fear.

Fear? I questioned and then I heard it loud shots filling the air screams and his body falling. A large black van with tainted windows and a closing door passed me for what felt like a thousand years and then I saw him lying there blood already  seeping through his clothing. I felt a scream leaving the depths of my soul as everything around me quickens and I run across the road and fall to my knees. I cradle his head and pulled him onto my lap stroking his forehead begging him and God to let him stay as gut wrenching sobs fills by throat with an endless amount of thorns.

My tears fell onto his face and I sniffled and moaned holding him to me as I rocked back and forth. Please don't leave not now. When I got no response from him I started begging God.

"Don't take him away. Please God not forever." I broke into a fit of tears and I looked down at him. He smiled at me and his voice crackled as he spoke. "I should have stayed, I'm so sorry Bella." He took a deep breath. "I love you." And his eyes stood still looking far into nothing ness as the life slowly left his eyes.

I blink and I'm in the shower punching, slapping and banging against the walls screaming and falling onto my knees. Slowly dying from the inside I screamed until I was too numb to move and passed out on the shower floor physically and emotionally drained.

My eyes opened again and the warm water fell on my body and I just laid there not feeling much of anything, I started singing the saddest song I could think of. I was almost shocked at how much stronger it became from the long period of time without use. In that moment I realized my life would no longer be the same. I would rise up in ranking in my family business. 

If only I knew just how much my life would really change, maybe I would not have taken the path I choose. I crawled out the shower my bones moaning with every move I made and my heart heavy as I tried to lift my heavy body from the ground. I wiped the steam covered mirror and sang make you feel my love to myself. My phone started ringing. I gazed as the light went on I watched it ring until it stopped. I felt a nagging feeling in my gut as my screen lit up five more times.

I picked up the phone after the seventh ring, I was met by an eerie voice. I know who killed him. And then after a sadistic cackle the phone was put down. My hands shook in fear a deep frown found its way to my forehead at my confusion.

I pulled a long night dress onto my damp body and climbed into bed the words still in my head.