Stuffing my old clothes into my bag, I pull on the new dress I had just purchased from a small corner shop with the money I had stolen from Dante.

I had made sure to get far away from the apartment complex, and took as many twists and turns through the dark alleyways in hopes to shake my mystery pursuer, hell bent on killing me for some reason.

The sun finally began to wake up when I decided that I had made it far enough to have lost my follower, and been a fair distance away that when Matteo discovers I've gone, he won't immediately be able to find me again.

Once I purchased the dress as the shops began to open, I made my way to an empty public restroom and cleaned myself up of the blood that had made its way all over my skin. It was tedious and time consuming, but at least now it doesn't look like I killed anyone anymore.

I look down at my nails which still have dried blood caked beneath them.

I won't be able to rid myself of the thoughts of Dante for a while now. Is he alive? Did he survive the night?

My fingers dance along the handle of the gun I had taken from him. I should have left it. I would never even use it anyway.

Sighing, I lift up the tank lid to the toilet, and place the gun inside, then closing the lid.

I'm not going to need it.

The more I try to convince myself of that, the more I feel myself growing nervous. I may think I'm free now, but I'm still trapped. Matteo won't stop until he finds me, and whoever is trying to kill me, I doubt will stop either.

And the most ironic thing about this, is that I can make it go all away. If I was just able to reach my father... If I knew his damn contact number, I could call him, and I'd be safe! I wouldn't need to worry about anything ever again.

But instead I'm stuck in Japan, alone, and more terrified that I can care to admit.

Zipping up my bag, I vacate the bathroom.

My new mission; to find a cab and get to the airport.

***

Handing the cab driver the money, I slide out of the car and stare ahead at the bustling airport.

With nothing but the bag on my back, I enter and head towards one of the booking desks. In the cab ride I had counted up the money I had, and thankfully I had more than enough to afford a tick back to New York.

Within a few minutes, I finally reach the front of the line, and sigh in relief when I am greeted by the lady in English. "Hello, how may I help you today?" She asks in a cheerful voice.

"One ticket for the next flight to New York."

After I purchase the ticket, I make my way through customs and find the closest café where I order a hot chocolate and banana bread.

So far my mission is running somewhat smoothly.

To my dismay, there isn't a flight directly to New York and I have to stop over in Tokyo for an hour before boarding the next flight, but at least I managed to get a ticket at all considering the late booking. And fate was certainly on my side as the flight leaves in just under two hours, leaving me enough time to relax and collect my thoughts.

I thank the server as they place down my drink and banana bread and soon find my eyes drifting over to the direction of the TV that plays just outside of the cafes vicinity.

A small gathering has formed below it, and despite not being able to understand what the news reporter is saying, I can gather the general idea from the pictures being shown.

I suck in a breath as I notice the familiar alleyway, with police tape stopping anyone from entering. The image then abruptly changes to a clip of the two people who I had asked to call for help, being interviewed.

"Excuse me," I say, trying to grab the servers attention. Their head flicks in my direction, and understanding, they come my way. "Would you be able to tell me what they are saying?" I ask.

I point to the TV. "Sure." He responds.

A few seconds pass by as he listens to the news reporter, and then he turns back to me.

"There was a shooting in the north end of the city, and they suspect the shooter to be a young girl."

Shit. Will Matteo think it was me who shot him?

"Did they say if the victim survived?" I question, hanging on the edge of my seat.

"They said that he's in hospital in critical condition."

I nod my head. "Thank you."

"No worries."

A heavy weight seems to lift off of my shoulders. Dante's alive.

I don't know what I would've done if he died. I couldn't have lived knowing that I left him behind, when I could've saved him.

I wonder what Matteo is doing right now. Would he be by Dante's side, unaware that his closest friend aided his 'possessions' escape? Or would he by scouring the city looking for me to punish for allegedly shooting Dante?

Just the thought of it makes my blood run cold.

It's fine.

I'm safe. In an hour I'll be boarding the plane, and then I'll be far away from here.

***

I stand in line waiting to board the flight, while my eyes are glued to multiple men dressed in suits making their way down the terminal.

Surely they aren't Matteo's men. They can't be...

If they're here, then it's only so long before they work out where I'm going if they haven't already.

Within each second, they get closer and closer to me. Their eyes scan over the premises, looking for something.

I hide my face behind my hair, and thankfully just as they begin to inspect the line I'm waiting in, the flight attendant scans my pass and I hurry to board the plane.

Looking back, I watch as they look through the line, and then turn, continuing their search.

That was a close one.

***

I stumble from the plane, half asleep.

It's been too long since I've stood on solid ground, and It's such a relief to finally be back in New York. I'm finally home, where I should be.

And soon I'll find Dad, and Alice, and everything will be fine once more. No more Matteo, no more mafia, just school and partying.

After the stop in Tokyo, I need a good party.

While I hadn't seen any men in suits like there were in Osaka, I was paranoid that Matteo had spies lurking around, so I had hidden myself in the bathroom for the whole hour in between my flight, and quickly boarded my flight before I could even see if I was being followed.

I look anxiously around as I exit the plane and enter the terminal. From what I can see, there's no one in sight. And luckily it's closing in on night, so when I get outside, it'll be harder to see me if there is anyone here.

Once I'm outside, I call for a cab and tell them Alice's address.

The driver begins to pull away from the airport, and I lean on the window, staring outside as we pass high rise buildings and such. The familiar city lights ease me into a sense of comfort, and warmth.

We reach Alice's house within twenty minutes, and I thank and pay the driver before jumping out and staring up at the familiar scene of Alice's house.

Her garden is as beautiful as always, the vibrant colours adding another dimension to the otherwise dreary street. What am I even going to say to Alice?

Help me, I've been kidnapped by a mafia leader who owns the city and I can't call the police because he owns them too... Also, by the way, my Dad was once the leader of the Italian mafia.

Yeah, that's totally going to go well.

I shove all my nerves down and begin to ascend her stairs.

Taking a deep breath, I raise my hand to knock, but soon realise that her door is ajar.

Alice is not one to carelessly leave her door open. She's always been the one to badger me about security and keeping myself safe from intruders or whatever.

I push the door open and enter cautiously. The kitchen light is on, however I notice as I enter further, that her house is a mess.

Shattered dishes litter the floor, and pillows are ripped and scattered over the place. Draws are left open and papers have been thrown in all directions. What the hell happened in here?

I drop my bag onto the floor and head towards the kitchen. "Alice?" I call hesitantly.

I feel like I'm in those horror movies where there's a killer in the basement and I'm foolishly heading to my doom, but what else can I do? I can't call the cops, and I don't have anyone else to contact.

"Alice?" I call once again.

"Mia?" A familiar voice calls back, and I instantly swerve around ready to attack whoever comes near me, however my raised arms instantly lower when I notice who's in front of me.

"Scott."

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