crow's feather ( Penna di corvo)

feather four

But he snaps to attention as his father calls out from behind him, "Mattio..."

He looks at Alessandro, who is approaching, with Oso behind him, his face frozen and bloodied, like his clothes. Anyone who sees him would think he had fallen into a bloody pool and emerged from it in hell, his gaze blazing like a rabid animal thirsting for more blood.

Many of his father's men have arrived around them, surrounding them for protection. The sound of a helicopter suddenly erupts, accompanied by a hail of sniper fire and an exchange of more shots. Alessandro is nearly hit, but Oso pushes him aside to shield him with his body. He takes the deadly bullets right before Matteo's stunned eyes, and Bina, in shock, her mouth agape, whispers, "Papa..."

She watched his body slowly fall, Alessandro clutching it in stunned anger. His men surrounded him, covering his body, and Oso's body acted as a shield against the bullets. The sound of the helicopter faded, replaced by Alessandro's voice, trembling with rage: "Oso..." She could only wrap her arms around Matteo's neck, hiding her face in his shoulder, whispering wearily, "Mattio..." He glanced at his father and the still body of his uncle, who emerged from among the men with a sorrowful, vacant expression. He cradled Bina's torso with one arm, his other hand pressed against the back of her head, as if trying to shield her, too late, from the horrific scene. He moved away slightly and collapsed, sitting beneath the window. He still held her close, leaning forward, burying his nose in the top of her head, his eyes closed with a heavy sigh. Her long hair covered her torso, its distinctive scent permeating him, a fragrance that enveloped him like a black shroud the color of her hair, blinding him to all else. She became everything he saw, heard, felt, and breathed. They were both detached from reality, observing the murder of Oso. Only he and she remained, and her saving his life after she fell into his arms. It was the first time Mateo had killed someone; he had almost killed him. Bina had saved his life, becoming like a spell binding him, an unbreakable spell. His fate was now inextricably linked to her. She had become his curse, his black raven.

******

They searched for her everywhere, but couldn't find her among them. They called out to her, but there was no answer.

Everyone is furious today, especially Alessandro. The loss of his younger brother and right-hand man is driving him to a state of madness he's suppressing only today,

until the funeral. Afterward, he will burn what remains of them. Oso is dead, as is his wife Alicia, and many other men. These bastards ambushed them on the night of Matteo's thirteenth birthday celebration,

making it an unforgettable memory... He pursed his lips tightly, his anger growing, his fists clenched, his thirst for blood intensifying.

He ordered the men to search for the little girl throughout the church garden,

and he and the rest of the family headed inside the church.

Beside him lay Matteo, quiet for the past two days,

his eye still bloody and swollen, his eyebrow bandaged.

They almost killed him too,

along with Pina...

The little girl was now an orphan, and he had to take care of her.

Since the incident, she had clung to Matteo,

responding to no one else.

But as soon as they all entered the hall, they froze to see the father standing beside Oso's open coffin,

and inside, Pina was sleeping on her father's chest, clutching his suit jacket... He had no idea how she had slipped in and opened the coffin! The little girl thought her father was asleep, so she tried to wake him. It seems she couldn't open her mother's coffin, but she succeeded in opening Oso's.

She laid her head on his chest, patting it with her small hand, calling to him in a childlike voice, "Papa si è svegliato..." (Wake up, Papa). This caused the men to frown with annoyance, and the women to weep softly, moved by the sight. Alessandro exhaled sharply, and Penna's cries shook the place.

When someone tried to pick her up and take her away from her father, she clung to him fiercely. Alessandro went to her after gesturing to the man to let go, calling to her in a tone he tried to make slightly gentle, "Penna... Mia cara... Alzati..." (Penna... my dear... wake up). She clung to her father, burying her face in his chest. Refusing in a muffled voice: "No... I'll stay with Papa..."

(No... I'll stay with Papa)

She addressed her father, her voice choked with tears, angry at his lack of response: "Dai, papà, svegliati..."

(Come on, Papa, wake up...)

Alessandro was nearly losing his temper; he wished he could tear her out by force, but he didn't want to do it in front of everyone.

Mateo reached his side, patting Pena's back, saying: "Come on, Pena... get up..."

But she refused even more stubbornly, clinging to him even tighter:

"No..."

(No)

The others shifted uncomfortably,

Mateo leaned closer to her, his eyes gazing sadly at his uncle's still body,

saying gently: "Dai corvo..."

(Come on, crow)

As soon as she heard him call her that, she raised her flushed face, looking at him with a sadness that touched his heart, and he smiled tenderly. He reaches out his hand to her,

repeating, "Da mia corvo..."

(Come on, my little crow)

Her lower lip droops with childlike sadness, as she looks at her father's pale face,

then at Matteo's outstretched hand,

which encourages her even more.

Her shoulders slump sadly, and she reaches out to take his hand,

but he pulls her close, lifting her up;

so she clings to his neck, wrapping her small legs around his waist,

weeping softly, which brings tears to his eyes;

but he stifles his own sobs so as not to anger his father.

His hand gently strokes the bandage on the side of her neck where she was hurt.

He steps back with her until he stands with her in their designated spot,

and his father casts one last glance at Oso's face, then steps back beside Matteo, who stands Bina next to him, holding her hand, and she clings to him tightly; It's as if he's running away from her...

They listen to the father's words in silence,

until he finishes,

and they head to carry the coffins to leave. He hears Pina's sob,

and Matteo looks at her with a frown, ordering her softly, "Non piangere..." (Don't cry).

He gazes at her with his injured, red eye in a stern way,

shaking his head in denial. She swallows hard, her body trembling, swallowing her tears along with it,

and her hand tightens its grip on his.

He returns the grip with an almost painful force...

He lets go, staring ahead with a blank expression, repeating in a dry whisper, "Non piangere mai..." (Never cry).

Her gaze, with her face raised, never leaves his injured face,

but she whispers in response, "Non piangerò..." (I won't cry...)

Holding his grip tighter, seeking reassurance,

and he tells her a solemn promise, without looking at her, "Sono "Sempre con te corvo..." (I'm always with you, Crow)

_Si... (Yes)

Her reply was a single, firm word.

She spent the rest of the burial ceremony by his side, holding his hand, and he never let go.

They stood watching the coffins descend and disappear beneath the earth.

She saw her parents depart, but she didn't cry, despite the tears welling in her eyes and the sobs in her chest.

She didn't cry.

She simply held Matteo's hand, and he did the same, and he would remain so forever.

*

Enjoy your reading

Arrivederci

(Goodbye)