The Mafia's Son

Chapter Five

“Goodbye, Vigo,” Lily said, defeatedly. It seemed as though no matter how she begged Vigo to stay, he wasn’t going to. Vigo was a hard-headed person and she knew she had no chance of trying to convince him. “Take care of yourself.”

Before Vigo could say anything, Lily broke into a run. She wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say, after all, he was leaving her all alone in the slums. He was probably leaving her for good.

Vigo looked back, there was no sign of Lily or anyone whatsoever. He was going to miss this place, his hometown. He had lots of memories here, some good while some were bad. But still, this was the place he called home and it was forever going to remain in his heart.

Vigo didn’t know if he was ever going to come back here anymore. He didn’t know if he’d ever see Lily again. Now, he was going to have to start up a new life probably different from the life he lived here, in the slum.

Vigo took his phone from his pocket and called Connell. He knew Connell would be surprised that it wasn’t up to two hours after he had just declined his offer, that he was calling again. But then, nothing mattered to him anymore. All he wanted, now, was just to make things right. And running back to Connell seemed just exactly right.

“Hello?” Vigo said.

“Vigo,” Connell replied. “I didn’t think you’d call back this fast. I also didn’t think you’d have anything to do with me. But then, I guess you’ve changed your mind, huh?”

“Yes, I have,” Vigo replied. He had made up his mind that he’ll give in to Connell’s proposal and go to Mexico with him and there was no turning back.

“About time, though. I’ve made plans and we’ll be leaving for Mexico by tomorrow morning. Where are you so I can pick you up?”

“I’m at the motel.”

Vigo was in anticipation to hear what the job was about. He needed to know what he was driving himself into and he wanted it to be positive if not for himself, but for Lily.

As he and Connell landed in Mexico, Vigo couldn’t help but feel this burning nostalgia about his hometown. Mexico was different from his hometown. Different. And it felt awkward for Vigo who hadn’t lived or stayed in another place before.

“So what’s the job about?” Vigo asked in anticipation as they settled down in one of the most popular restaurants.

“It’s an easy job, completely easy, if you are willing to comply with the rules,” Connell said, looking at Vigo.

“Okay, then. So what’s the job about?”

Connell looked at Vigo in total scrutiny and paused for a moment.

“I want you to join a mafia sect.”

“A what?” Vigo asked in shock. Did he just leave everything behind to join a mafia group? So leaving his hometown was a total waste of time?

“A mafia sect,” Connell repeated, calmly.

“I thought you said it was a job offer? You made me leave everyone behind just to join a group of people who kill other people?”

“When I came down from my car and saw those people—Marvin and his gang members— bully you. Did you think I was happy about that, Vigo? I brought you to Mexico to help your life, to give you a better life. You should be happy about it. You should be happy I offered you something as big as this.”

“No! There’s no way I’m happy about any of this. I want a better life, but not by joining a mafia sect. I can’t do that. I’m not a killer.”

“It doesn’t matter, Vigo. I was once in your shoes. I was bullied, mocked, and trampled upon. People made fun of me. No one cared about me. Everyone hated me, even my parents. The mafia boss saw me. He picked me and gave me a new life, a better life. I’m what I am today because of him.”

Vigo realized that both Connell’s story was almost the same.

Was it the right decision for Vigo to join the mafia sect? At this moment, Vigo didn’t have any option but to join. If he didn’t, he would be left stranded here in Mexico and even if he wasn’t, at home, Marvin would still have the right to harass him.

“So, are you willing to join?”

After thinking this through for the umpteenth time in his mind, Vigo decided to give in.

“Yes. I’m willing to join.”

“Who do we have here, Connell?” Connell’s boss asked as he saw Vigo. Connell had decided to bring him to his boss.

“Boss, this is Vigo. Vigo Rodriguez. I brought him here because he’s willing to join us,” Connell said, his hands on Vigo’s shoulder.

“Oh. Vigo, huh?” the boss said with a smiling face that didn’t seem to fit him. “Can I talk to you for a moment,” Mr. Gary said to Connell.

“Sure,” Connell said as he followed behind his boss to the farthest part of the room.

Vigo felt awkward that he was left alone in the room with fierce-looking men who had guns with them. He just stood there, in the middle of the room, his eyes on the guns the men were with, checking out for any single movement from them.

“Can he take up this job?” Vigo heard Mr. Gary ask Connell. “I wouldn’t want any chicken-hearted person to carry out this particular task. You know it is not for the weak.”

“I know, boss. But I think Vigo would be able to carry out the task. He’s capable of doing it.”

“Fine,” the mafia boss said. “I just hope he wouldn’t disappoint. You know what will happen if he doesn’t do as planned, don’t you? You’ll suffer the consequences, alongside him, if he fails.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Good. Where is Ivan?” the boss asked.

“I don’t think he’s back yet.”

“He’s been getting on my nerves, Ivan. Does he think I’m less important than whatever he went out to do?” Mr. Gary raged. “You know what, Connell? I’m done waiting for Ivan. I’ll deal with him later.”

“But Ivan was to carry out the task,” Connell pointed out.

“I know, but he’s late and I’m running out of patience. That new guy, Vigo, right? I want to test him if he’s capable of doing anything helpful to us. Why don’t we let him carry out the task, huh?”

“Uh, yes. I think so, but isn’t it too early for him?”

What was too early for him—Vigo thought. Vigo didn’t understand anything Connell and his boss were saying. He couldn’t possibly make out anything that was going on.

Still standing straight, trying not to make any funny move while watching the armed men and their guns, Vigo heard Connell say something like, “We should give him more time to adapt, boss. I assure you, he is good at everything.”

“No, Connell. He has to prove to me that he is worthy enough to be among us. What if he fails to carry out any operation? You know the consequences, don’t you?”

“I do, boss,” Connell said.

“Good. Now bring Harman to the room. Vigo is going to carry out this task. He is going to kill Harman. ”

What? Was he going to kill someone?

“But—”

“Bring in Harman,” Mr Gary said, sternly. “Vigo is going to perform the task.”

Vigo watched as Connell pushed in a man that was tied up and heavily gagged.

The armed men gathered together around the gagged man, forming a circle.

Gracefully, Mr Gary strode over to Vigo handing him a pistol.

“Kill him,” Mr. Gary said as he shoved the gun into Vigo.

Hesitantly and completely scared, Vigo took the gun from the boss's hand. His hand sweaty and shaking out of fear, Vigo pointed the gun right at the bruised man's head.

“Kill him,” the boss said again, this time, fiercely.

“Do it,” Connell said to him. “You have to do it.”

Vigo's hands were still shaking as he pointed the gun at the man.

“Just pull the trigger," the boss raged, fiercely.

Vigo hadn't killed anyone before. He hadn't even held a gun in his hand…It didn't seem like the right thing to do.

Now, he was with armed and dangerous men, pointing a gun at someone he didn't know at all just because of the pressure exerted on him.

“Just pull the trigger,” Connell said. “Shoot him.”

With his heart beating so fast as if he was having a serious panic attack, Vigo pulled the trigger. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe he had just killed someone.

Shocked at what he had done, Vigo let the gun slip out of his hand and fa to the ground.