Bloody Hands

That day I was supposed to go with my mom to celebrate my birthday. I came home and was so excited. Until I saw my mother lying on the kitchen floor. 3 bullets in the chest, her life couldn’t be saved. She died on my 12th birthday. She's the only one I had but she died and I don't know why. Why would anyone want to kill her? She's very kind and friendly to everyone. And no one told me what happened, even the police. They were never found, or maybe someone protected them. Today is my 18th birthday, and also the day my mother died. I still remember that day perfectly. I waited for 6 years to avenge her death and give her justice, and today is the day of vengeance for them. They can survive from the law, but not from me. “Hi my dear” said my grandma. After my mother died, I lived with my grandma. She always helps me to keep strong. She knows how a little girl can go through her mother’s death alone. “Hi grandma” “You got a letter” “What letter?” I took that letter and opened it. “You’ve read it?” “Well, I can’t deny it, I’m so happy you are going to college” She hug me. “Me too” “So we will celebrate this, and I have got something for you” she walked to her room and brought a box, and gave the box to me. “What is this?” “Open it” she said. I opened the box. In the box there's a file and a necklace. “It belongs to your mother, this is about her past, and the reasons she died” said grandma. “I thought it was just a robbery” “You know it’s more than robbery. Don’t pretend you don’t know, you’ve already found out all this, but you never try to find out her past. You deserve to know, Sharon” she stared at me. I know she wants to cry. “Thank you” I hugged her and then went to meet someone. He promised to meet me in an old abandoned building at 4pm. I tried to call him and just as I was about to call him someone pulled me over, and that was him. “Sharon, I thought you wouldn’t come” said Tom. “I have already paid you and I need the stuff” “Okay” He took out a box and gave it to me. “Be careful, and don’t say my name when you get in trouble” said Tom. “Okay” “Why do you need this?” “You don't need to know" “Come on” I stared at him. “Okay”said Tom. “I gotta go” I went home and opened the box, a gun and bullets, a knife and a small vial of cyanide. I took a box under my bed and took some photos. Larry Bruno, Theo Harris, Barry Walker, and their boss Harry Oswald. Harry Oswald is a rich and highly respected businessman, he always tries to look good in front of everyone, he repeatedly holds charity events and plays a nice guy. But it's all bullshit, he makes a lot of money selling guns and drugs, nobody knows about that. With his wealth, of course, he could cover all his crimes. And hide behind the mask of a rich and kind man. But after Larry, Theo, and Barry meet their ends, I will destroy him and make the rest of his life like hell. The only thing that can save him from me is death. Night came and right after dinner I went to meet Larry Bruno at a bar. A lonely man trying to date a young girl, he fell into my trap and it's time to take the next step. I saw him sitting at the bar and walked over to him. “Larry” “Sharon, I thought you wouldn’t come” said Larry. “Of course I am coming. I’m excited to meet you” He stood, and got closer. “Let’s dance” said him. He took my hand and we danced. “How old are you?” asking him. “22” “You look 18” After a few hours, he asked me out and went to his house. We arrived, he stood in front of me and kissed me. I took out a gun and shot him. “What are you doing?” asked him. “This is for my mother” “Who are you?” “You killed my mother 6 years ago” “Wait, you are Laura’s daughter” “Right” I fired another shot and killed him. I walked out and left immediately. I burned the clothes and shoes I wore that night and hacked the street surveillance cameras, to delete the footage that showed me with him. No one noticed his death until a week later they found his body. They investigated his death and haven't found anything. After his body was found, several people revealed Larry Bruno's background, including his work. And of course, Harry Oswald's name appeared. Larry Bruno's name was on the Oswald Company's payroll, and as usual, Harry Oswald played the innocent man. Makes me want to throw up. “I once met him he said he wanted to be better and I tried to help him. I know he was once imprisoned, but he was very good, he wanted to change for the better and I, I just helped him by giving him a job” said Harry Oswald in an interview. “If he is a good man, why would someone kill him?” said a woman next to me. “Maybe because of his past” “Maybe” said a woman. The woman looked back at her tablet. The bus stops and I get off, I walk and meet Theo Harris. Theo Harris is my next target. I brought a syringe filled with cyanide and walked over to him. Just as I was about to inject it, someone came up to me. “Are you Sharon Johnson?” asked her. “Yes” answered me. “I’m Catelyn” "Who are you?" "A family, I know what you did" “I don’t undrestand” “Larry Bruno” “Who the hell are you?” She sigh. “You forgot me. Of course. I think we shoud talk” She took me to a coffee shop. “So Sharon, your face looks like your mother, you are brave, smart just like her, but your eyes and lips looks like your father and your carelessness” said Catilyn. “You still haven’t answered my question” “Okay, I’m Catelyn Renaldi” Wait. What? She is aunt Cate. “Wait, aunt Cate” I said. I can't believe it. “You remember” “I’m sorry, I didn't know it was you” “Of course, last time we met you were eight years old, now you are eighteen” “It’s been a long time” “But you still remember” “You disappeared since then. Mom said you went to Italy” “That’s right” “So why did you come back? And when?" “I miss you, you are my favourite niece and only niece. I came back a week ago” “You know mom is gone, right?” “I know, and I really miss her” “Me too” “Now, let’s talk about Harry Oswald" "What?" "You know Harry Oswald is behind all this, and I know you killed Larry Bruno, and you also bought illegal weapons, including a small bottle of cyanide” "You know about that?" "Well, of course I know" “I have a reason for everything I do” “I know, and I will help you” “What?!” She wants to help me. Why? I think she'll be angry. But help me? What the hell is this? “Yes, I will help you” said her. “You will?” “Yes” “Why?” “You could say I hate Harry Oswald too” “Really?” “Yes, and not only that, I will help clear all evidence” “What?” "But I want you to do this in my way" After a little chit-chat. She took me to a mansion. One of the maids greeted her. “Thank you, Jack, have you changed the table in the backyard?” asking aunt Cate. “I do” he said. “Good, now make something for my niece. I have to get something. We will meet in the backyard” Aunt Cate walked away. “Miss Johnson, do you want something?” asking him “Thank you, but no” “Follow me to the backyard” “Okay” What the hell is this? I never knew she had a mansion and all this. I don't even know what her job is. I know 10 years is a long time, but all of this still really surprises me. I have a lot of questions, but most importantly, why now, after 10 years, she's back. She didn't even come to my mom's funeral, and she wanted to help me kill my mom’s killer. It’s crazy. When I was little she always came and looked after me while my mother was away. She also often picked me up after school and took me to the ice cream shop. I remember when she took me to the fair and let me play all the rides. I was waiting for her in the backyard. She came and sat in front of me. Soon the guy named jack came with a vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce. “Vanilla with strawberry sauce?” I said. “Without peanuts” she said. “You still remember?” “Of course. I heard you are going to college?” “Yes, but I’m not sure about that” “Because Janet?” “Grandma is too old to work every day” “I know, but she really loves you. When your mother and father got married she looked very happy, maybe because your father was the only son and she couldn’t hide her happiness. That day she kept smiling, all day” “Really?” “Yeah, and Laura too , she decided to leave her past behind and start a new begining” “Her past?” “Yeah, her past, she leaves it, she tries to leave her past behind, but she can never really leave it” ”Why?” “When you go into the dark side of the world you can’t get out, they are like a drug. Once you try, it is hard to let go. When you let go, it has an impact on your body. So think again, are you going to get your revenge or are you going to stop here and move on with your life, going to college, having a lover and a job” “I, I think you’re right, but I never go into darkness, I only seek justice, and I will stop when I find it” She sighed and smiled. “You’re still stubborn like you used to be” “You say my mom left her past to marry my dad. What was my mother’s past like?” “Full of adventure and lots of fun, but also full of blood” “Sounds like the mafia to me” “Yup, our father was one of the most famous drug dealers here, and quite cruel, but he loved us very much, he didn't want us to be a part of all this, but when he died someone had to take over the family business. Your mom and I took over the business and run it with very well, but on the other hand, it caused a lot of enemies, including Oswald. We cost him millions of dollars and he was very angry at that time, but he couldn't do anything but when she got married, it left an opening for Oswald to kill her. He waited 15 years for revenge. I thought Janet gave you the file about this?” “Wait, my grandpa is a drug dealer?” “Yes” Are you kidding me? Now I feel like I don’t know anything about my family. I know nothing about my family. “I saw how you took revenge, framed him through a dating app and killed him at his house, clean enough, but you leave a stain, you have to be careful and don’t leave a stain, even if it’s just a speck, because with just a small stain they know it’s you” “What do you know about that night?” “Everything” I don’t know what to say. My mother and aunt are the leaders of a criminal dynasty hiding behind a family business. This is crazy. I don’t know anything about my family. I thought I knew everything, but in fact I only know a small part. “I know it’s hard for you to accept all this, but this is the truth and sooner or later you’ll understand” “I understand, I’m just confused” “I know” “I want to give you something” “What is that?” “Because you are part of the Renaldi family, I will give you an account. You will get money every month. It is more than enough to pay for your college. I want you to go to college and then take a place at the company. Because so far Renaldi has no heir other than you. You are the last Renaldi" “You want me to be a part of all this?” “You can leave the part where the drug and weapons trade is” What? A few weeks ago I nearly canceled my college enrollment and now I am part of a mafia family, and the only heir. Is it a dream? When will I wake up? Or I never wake up. “I can’t take it” I said. “You must, you will be Renaldi's heir and you will continue the company. You have no choice” “I have, I have a choice. After finishing all this, I will return to my life, I will live a normal life. Maybe I will go to jail, but at least I am not involved in all this. You know, it’s crazy, and it would kill me” “You’re afraid to get involved, but you’re already involved. You think Harry will shut up when he finds out a teenager is after his life and wants revenge for the death of her mother six years ago, who was also his enemy? No, he will kill you, and you can’t save yourself without me” “I can, of course I can. You don’t know what I can do and neither does he” “I like your ambition. You remind me of Laura” “You should stop talking about her” “Why? Are you hurt?” “I gotta go” “Right now?” “Yes” “You don’t want to hear stories about your father’s death?” “I know how he died” “Crash and brake failure” She smirks and stares at me. “Yes” I said. "It’s a lie” “He died because, Harry, he killed him. He wanted to kill your mother. He thought your mother would use the car, but your father used the car first” “He did it?” “Yes, he’s the reason your parents died, and my parents, and my sister, just like you, I hate him. I want to kill him, but I can’t” “Why?” “Something can’t be said” “That’s why you want to help me” “Yes, and not only that, but also because we are family” “You disappeared for 10 years and came back, and you said we are family? I know with everything you have you can protect her, but you didn't. You didn't even show up at her funeral. Are you sure that’s what families do? No. Now, you want to use me as your toy, to do something you can't do” “I’m sorry, but you can’t control everything even if you want. You can’t” “Because you never tried” “I tried everything” “Really?” “Yes, I do” “Bullshit" I walk away. I knew there was another reason why she didn't do anything when my mother was killed. I knew she had a chance to avenge Oswald. I left the house and walked home. I realized someone was following me. A man in a blue jacket stopped not far from me. I kept walking and entered an alley and hid. The man walked after me. I put the knife to his neck. “What do you want?” I asked. Suddenly, a car came, a group of men fired a few shots. I looked for cover. The gunfire stopped, they walked towards me and pulled me out. I tried to fight back and ran away. They were after me. I ran as fast as I could. I saw a taxi stop and dropped passengers. I immediately ran inside. “Go now” I said. “Calm down, Ms” he said. "Go now!" He’s leaving soon. “Where do you want to go?” he asked. We stopped at an old house. This is my home, the place where my mother died, the place where I buried my childhood and became who I am today. They forbade me to come here, because they thought it could cause the trauma again. But here I am whenever I’m sad or angry, or miss them. This house is full of memories. I still can hear my mom calling me or my father’s footsteps every time he comes home. My dad died 3 years before my mom. They said he had an accident and died on the way to the hospital. That’s what they told me. I remember how I ran down the stairs laughing, how my mom, my dad, and I used to make cookies. And I still remember perfectly how I walked into the kitchen and found my mother lying covered in blood. And all that happens in this house. I took a photo album. On the first page are my parents’ wedding photos. On the other side is, when they held me as a baby and how I grew, they were beside me. Until my 9th birthday, only my mother in my side. The last photo was when my mother and I went on vacation, a week before her death. My mom once said “If you repay someone who hurt you, then you will be just like them” I remember those words but I can’t let all this, I can’t. I’m sorry, I can’t stay silent when someone takes something I love. After a few hours of being there, I went home. I opened the door and heard my grandmother’s voice. I saw her tied to a chair and strangled by a rope. I immediately opened the rope. “Are you okay? Who did this?” I asked. “I don’t know but they are looking for you” she said. “What?” Suddenly, my phone rang and when I answered it was a call from Aunt Cate. “Oswald is looking for you” said her. “I know” “You can stay here with me” “I can’t leave grandma” “Bring her” “No, I won’t get her involved, I will find a safe place for her and work things out” “I can help you” “Leave me” “There will be no safe place for her until it’s over. Let me help you and I promise she'll be fine” “How can I trust you” “I know you can’t, but let me try. You don’t know how important you are to me, you are the only thing left from my sister” If I took Grandma there it would be like getting her involved, but Aunt Cate's right, there's no safe place. I can’t go home and see her tied up and strangled like before. But I feel like Aunt Cate isn’t someone I knew before. I feel like I can’t believe her. I have to choose the best for grandma. “Okay, but if something happened to her” I said “I promise nothing will happen” she said. I hung up the phone and looked at grandma. “What happened?” asked grandma. “We should go” “Where?” “Safe place” After waiting a few minutes, someone came and took us to Aunt Cate’s house. When we arrived, Aunt Cate was waiting for us. “Cate?” said Grandma. “Hi, Janet” said aunt Cate. “Why are we here?” asked Grandma. “I, I did something that made someone angry and now they are after me” I answered. “What you did?” asked Grandma. "Teenagers’ minds are very complicated and sometimes they act without thinking” said Aunt Cate. "What you did, Sharon?” asked Grandma. What should I say? I killed someone and their boss is after me. I don’t know how to answer. I just kept quiet and she stared at me. "I'm truly sorry" I said. "Tell me what happened" "I will, but not now" "What did you do to her?" asked Grandma. "I didn't do anything" aunt Cate said. "I told you to stay away from us" "Stop it" I said. "You bring trouble. Every time you come, something happens" said Grandma. "Grandma please" I said. "I'm trying to solve the problem" said Aunt Cate. "You are not" answered Grandma. "Grandma" I said. "We will go" said Grandma. "We can't" I said. "Why? Tell me what happened" said Grandma. "I don't know how to tell you" I answered. "Why?" asked Grandma. "I killed someone!" I said. "What? What do you say?" asked Grandma. "I killed someone, I killed Larry Bruno, one of the killers who killed mother" I answered. "Why? Why Sharon? Why do you do that?" asked Grandma. "I can't let them go free, not after they kill mom" I answered. "That's not what I taught you. Even your mother won't let you do that. I let you know about your mother's past because you deserve to know, but not to kill someone" said Grandma. "I know, but that's my choice" I answered. "That's not you, Sharon" said Grandma. "No, that's me!" I answered. "What did you say to her?!" asked Grandma. "Grandma, she just helped me, Harry Oswald chased me, and she helped me" I said. "Help, by letting you kill someone. That's not help, she use you" answered Grandma. "I had killed him before I met her, and Aunt Cate helped me hide my trace" I said. "You are so young, you don't know anything" answered Grandma. "I know everything" I said. "I can't stay here" said Grandma. "Grandma, please" I answered. I looked into her eyes, hoping she would agree to stay. "Please" "Okay, I will stay. But you promised not to hide anything again" Grandma said. "I promise" I answered. I'm sorry Grandma, I love you more than anything but I have to make you disappointed. I'm truly sorry, it's out of my control, but I always love you, always. Grandma is resting in her room and I met Aunty Cate in her room. "I don't think she's still mad at me" said Aunt Cate. "She looks really mad" "Yeah, she won't forgive me" "Why?" "She thinks I'm the reason Patrick died" "You mean dad?" "Yes, your father" "What?!" "You know the story" "Why is she thinking like that?" "Missunderstood" "What?" "You will understand" I don't know why she's hiding all this. I don't understand there's no way I'll ask grandma. "Fine, I will find out" I said. "You can't" she said.