To Rise Above

CHAPTER 29 Part.2

There were two things I could do: Listen to my instinct or go by impulse.

Instinct was telling me to stay calm and listen whereas impulse was telling me to pull out the gun and trigger.

Impulse won.

Before I knew what had happened, Paola had pulled herself forward, and fly-kicked the weapon out of my hands with her legs and we both briefly watched it skid away unto the floor, until it came to a rotating stop. Quickly glancing at Paola trying to calculate her next action, I attempted to make a move to grab the gun back, but I felt her lunge into me forcefully, twisting my arm painfully around my back, she slammed me unto the concrete wall, using her other hand to brace my neck into a headlock.

“I took up self defence classes for ten years so don’t think that little toy on the floor is enough to scare me. I also majored in psychology in college, so I know all about body language. Yours was easy to understand. Now we’re going to sit down like two civil adults and talk and we’re going to pretend that this incident never happened. Okay?”

The strain on my muscles was getting unbearable and the pressure she was applying around my neck was rapidly cutting oxygen supply to my lungs.

“Okay”, I choked out.

“Good. Don't ever pull that shit with me.” I heard her say as she let go of me and I gasped in much needed air.

I watched as she picked up the gun, making her way back over to her bed she flicked back the lock before handing it over to me and I took it gingerly tucking it underneath my habit.

Her exterior still appeared calm and composed as she sat back down on her bed, expectantly waiting for me to prompt the conversation.

My anger and stubbornness disallowed me from giving her information that she wanted, but the pressing thought in my mind on how she had come to know my name was far too urgent for me to dismiss.

“How do you know my name?” I asked as calmly as I could but still letting my displeasure surface through in my voice.

“Aside from your constant nervous habits and you never wanting to give anything away, the look on your face admitted everything you were trying to deny about your identity when Alberto asked if you were the missing girl linked to the Ambrosi’s. And then again, I just overheard your conversation with Mother Franca.”

“You did what?” I bellowed shock imprinted on my expression.

Sighing exasperatedly she said, “Look, I’m just trying to help you because I know you need help, and from that thing lying on your bed, I know you’re in serious danger.”

I twisted around having forgotten that there was something lying on the bed, that I hadn’t taken notice of, to find the shredded bits of the portrait that I had received mysteriously three days ago.

I cursed inwardly at myself at having forgotten to dispose of the evidence, as I took in the note that was left for me:

You betrayed The Family so you shall burn like this saint.

“I have to go.” Everything was against me and the more time I spent in this place the closer I felt they were to catch me.

“I’m coming with you.”

I stopped midway of clearing my drawer of my belongings, and I looked up surprised at what Paola had just said.

“You want to come with me?” I asked sceptically.

“Yes. I know that you’re not going to give up any information about yourself, because you don’t really know me, so I might as well see it for myself.”

“What about your vows?”

“I am a novice nun, so I’m only just preparing for my first vows, which means I can decide to leave at anytime.”

Even though I thought her decision was irrational I couldn’t contemplate too much on that fact as I had other things to think about. As selfish as this appeared my safety was paramount, however if I had to be responsible for someone else’s safety that would just complicate matters.

So as a forewarning, I stated to her, “You know you might not get out of this alive.”

With a peculiar smile on her face, she said, “We’ll see.”

“We could catch the bus to go South West into Latina and we can hide out there.”

It was after six in the evening when we finally left the convent; Paola had to officially renounce her vows in Mother Franca’s office. I had instructed Mother Franca to not inform Signore Matteo of me leaving until I was situated somewhere and then I would tell him myself. Paola didn’t have so many belongings, so she was able to assist me my luggage. I had borrowed her my clothes to wear after we both had to take off the habit, which I was grateful for. I was still unsure of Paola’s motives therefore I had refused to give her any information and my defences were still up about her.

Why was she suggesting that we should go to Latina?

I didn’t want her to think that she had any sort of control over me; I was done with people thinking they had any sort of control over me. She decided to go with me, so she is going to go where I go, not the other way round.

“I’m not going there.” I stated defiantly.

“So we’re just going to aimlessly roam the streets of Rome, it’s getting dark and you still have no idea of where you’re going.”

As much I didn’t want to admit that she was right, she was indeed right. We had been walking for about half an hour and the streets were getting emptier and the luggage I was hauling up were getting heavier and I still had no idea of where I intended to go. After donating money to the Church out of appreciation to Mother Franca for taking me in, I still had some leftover from my last salary at Ambrosi’s Hotel but I was undecided if I should stay low in Rome or go outer skirts.

“Aren’t you going to say something?”

Paola was really starting to irritate me with her persistent nature, pausing to turn around and look at her I said, “Shut up.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said-”

“Mi scusi donne, ma mi puoi dire il direzioni di Via Allegra ? ’’

(Translation: Excuse me ladies, but can I have directions to Via Allegra?)

“Certamente, seguirmi, e molto vicino da qui”, responded Paola smoothly to the handsome stranger who had just suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

(Translation: Of course, follow me it’s very close from here.)

As much as I would have liked to help a lost stranger, the urge to get out of this place was intensifying and that’s why I was trying to word silently to Paola to just give him the directions instead of having to take him to his destination. My nerves were shooting up

All of a sudden, one strongly muscled arm wrapped tightly around my chest, easily hoisting me up, and the scream that was about to escape my lips was cut off as a thick hand cupped my mouth. I fought as hard as I could to be released but my efforts turned fruitless and I soon realised that Paola too had been captured by a hefty man but strangely the stranger that was not in the same predicament as Paola and I.

“Grazie molto donne, siete stati grande aiuto per me”, said the stranger before winking away.

(Translation: Thank you very much ladies, you have been tremendous help to me.)

All too soon or rather all too late, I realised that this was a set up.

I’ve got people watching your every footsteps.

Unexpectedly, a speeding black Range Rover came to a halt and the doors swung open and without warning I was pushed inside it. My head felt hard against the seat, making it throb intensely but the voice I heard sounded like bullets piercing my skin once again.

“Remember me Pietro? It’s nice to see you and your friend again, Sister Elisa.”