El principio del fin



I walked into the cafeteria slowly and sat down at a spare table. My ribs were still screwed. There were deep purple and black bruises all over my right side of my body. Starting from the thigh all the way up. The worse ones were on my ribs and I can see they were broken in several spots. Tony had fucked me up big time from our last meeting. There was no denying it.

It was hard to move, sit, sleep, breathe. Everything hurt. Last night after I saw my family all together, I struggled and climbed up to my bedroom. Before I laid my head down to try and get a little sleep. Jace joined me, sliding his tray and another one in front of me. He had a sour look on his face.

Did he know about last night?

I shook the thought away and started eating the food he placed in front of me. I bit into the sandwich an I instantly thought about Blaze. I tried to stop myself from thinking about him because it always reminds me of my shitty life. But damn I really missed him.

"what happened?" Jace suddenly asked me with pained eyes. I looked over to the other side of the cafeteria and saw Olivia looking at us curiously.

"Everything." He was about to say something, but I quickly added. "You should re-join Olivia, she is waiting for you."

---

I walked outside the car park, thinking of the time to kill since I skipped the last lesson. I had been trying to keep my mind off things but Jace is constantly asking me what's wrong. As I walked through the lot I heard my name being called loudly. I jerk my head and looked for who called in high alert. My heart sinking when I saw it was Bens 'friends'. My blood boiled when I saw them surrounding Ben, laughing and picking on him.

Fuck no!

"Ben, what's up?" I asked calmly, eyeing his friends suspiciously. His friends stifled their laughter.

"Look ben it's your little cousin." One of the boys sung while pinching Bens cheeks.

"Fuck off! She is my cousin" ben struggled in their hold, which was a red flag in my eyes.

"Ooo in that case, did you want to come home with me baby. You look like you would be a good night."

"In your dreams, now give me Ben," I ordered in my strong voice.

"Aww, she is all big and strong now! Giving us orders." The group of teen boys hollered with laughter and I could see Ben squirming while giving me pleading eyes.

I didn't waste another thought when I punched the leader in his nose. He jerked Ben away from him and clutched his bleeding broken nose. "That bitch broke my nose." The group then looked at me in anger.

"Yes, I can do worse, so I suggest you leave quietly. And we will take our own leave." I said strongly grabbing Ben's collar and making him stand next to me. They all looked furious until one of them broke it nervously.

"Fuck this man, I ain't getting hit by a girl. And my ma would be pissed if she would ever find out I fought one." I smirked at all of them as one by one the group of boys ran away.

"This isn't over benny boy! We won't stop until you give us what you promised." As soon as they left I looked at Ben with stern eyes.

"What did you promise them." He looked at me for a split second, but then looked back down. He didn't say anything for a moment and then sighed.

"A spot in the mafia." He finally answered my question.

I sighed heavily and shook my head. "Why Ben?" I groaned.

"Because I needed drugs..." His voice broke because of the emotion. And I felt the need to comfort him rather than scold him. He was more than stupid for promising a spot to those stupid boys. But I could see he needed nothing but love and a shoulder to lean on right now.

"Oh Ben," I spoke softly while hugging him tightly

"I don't know what to do Ange. I can't fight all of them on my own and they said they would kill me..." I squeezed them tightly.

"I will protect you Ben; we can do this together. But you need to promise me to never promise something like that ever again. No matter what." I whispered. "why don't you go home with me hmm? After all, we are having a family dinner tonight." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at those words.

That drew a chuckle from Bens's lips. "Another Garcia and Moretti showdown. Wouldn't miss that for the world." I chuckled half-heartedly.

When we got into the car I sat back and clenched my jaw. As I was reminded with a shot of pain in my ribs. I clenched my eyes shut for a few moments and as the pain subsided, I opened them again. Looking towards Ben who was staring at his phone. "Did they hurt you?"

"No, they didn't get the chance, because you came along and p-. How did you do that by the way?" He asked suddenly, looking curious.

"Do what?" I asked dumbly.

"Punch him like that- I mean I never taught you that. A-and you broke his nose?" He looked completely bewildered and he furrowed his eyebrows as he thought more deeply.

"I don't know how." I averted my eyes and spoke quietly. "I just punched him," I shrugged, lying through my teeth.

"Oh." He cleared his throat. "Well did you good! I couldn't punch like that until I was like- halfway is done with my dense training. Guess you are just a natural."

"Yeah." I laughed nervously. "I guess."

When we got home, I was happy because we were having tea at our place which meant we didn't have to go to the Moretti estate. Although my family have no idea why I don't think I could ever forgive them. cause how many straws can one person take? How many chances does a family get?

---

"Dinner time!" I huffed loudly. Which caused an odd look from Ben. "Jesus I didn't think spending time with family could be so bad."

You have no idea.

"I am just not in the mood." He nodded and smiled weakly.

"Oh makes sense." He then looked at me with wide eyes and caught my wrist. I raised my eyebrow questionably. "Please don't tell the family about today or the deal I made. They would kill me and I don't want to be gro-."

"It's ok ben," I smiled. "I have your back." His shoulders relaxed and he pulled me into a big hug.

"Thanks, Lina! You're a great cousin! By far my favourite." I smiled in his warm embrace. The warmth was so loving and soft, that my heart wanted to have it forever.

"Your welcome Benny!"

"Oi guys!" Sam yelled coming into my bedroom. "Aunty Brea is ordering everyone in the dining room because it is dinner time." Ben gave me is chirpy smile and swung his arm around my shoulder.

"Ok, we will be right down there."

When we walked downstairs everyone was being their usual selves. Laughing, chatting, joking, all of them acting like a normal happy loving family. I didn't know how to act. What should I say? Did I really consider these strangers as a family? How can I say hi, and put on a smile, pretending everything is ok. How can pretend for another day? In all of the situations where I say something. None of them seems good enough.

But before I could have any words leave my mouth, I was embraced by Uncle Louis. It was meant to be a comforting hug but it wasn't. It reminded me that if last night I ended things, I would never get hugged by uncle Lou again. "Hey, peanut." He chirped.

"hi."

As soon as he let me go I was shot in the face with greetings and smiles from my family. I wanted to get up. I had to leave. I couldn't look into their faces. I couldn't return a smile to mamma or papa.

I hated myself. I was nothing. that was all I have ever been... nothing. I was nothing. I was worthless. I was nothing except a pathetic female.

It is what I have been told throughout my whole life. I didn't want to believe it, but it is a fact I could never avoid. I know it is true. My family have always talked down on females, and now I finally believe them. After being with Blaze, after being a part of something, I didn't know if I could handle being nothing once again.

It was so much pain... mentally, physically and emotionally. Every single fucking thing hurt. I just wished that I could find somewhere hidden, somewhere no one knows off and hide in it.

far away from the family who I am not a part of anymore.

Suddenly there was a pain in my left knee. I jerked my head upwards and looked at Rebecca who was the one who kicked me. I want to scream at her, I want to yell and challenge her the way we as black-market rebellions would. Though I bit my tongue and looked at her spitefully. "what's wrong Rebecca?" asked through sucked teeth.

"Are you high?" I slumped back into my chair dramatically, thoroughly surprised about her question.

"Rebecca don't be rude! That is what she normally looks like." Sophie smirked as she eyed me up and down. Papa looked at the situation with a frown but did nothing. No one on this bloody table was going to do anything. they were just going to stand aside and watch me be picked on by the evil demonic twins.

I cleared my throat abruptly. "No Rebecca I am not high, just tired." My hands clutched the knife and fork tightly.

"Well, then what is wrong with you? Do you have an eating disorder? Because no matter how many times you barf or starve, those curves on your hips and stomach will never disappear. Sorry." John was about to say something and I could see Uncle Louis glaring at Luke to do something.

I dropped the knife and fork harshly on the plate not bothered about the smashed glass plate going everywhere. I stood up and looked down at the frightful twins. "I can correct you two and say confidently that i. do. Not. have. A. eating. Disorder."

"Honey-."

"And what are your problems anyway? What floor did your mother drop you on to make you think it is ok to degrade everyone. Even if they are on a higher level on you." Their mouths dropped but I didn't finish.

"Angel." Juan tried but I raised my hand cutting him off.

"Don't bother Juan, your no better than them. Frankly, you are worse. You and the rest of my 'brothers'. You don't care if you are sexist. You don't care how harmful your words are." I slammed my fist down on the table again. Ignoring my racing heart and my scolding father and family. "You think you know what 'suffering' is?" I scoffed. "You know as much as these two dip wits right there." I spat pointing to the twins. "this family is commended on being the most 'powerful' family in the world. While I see it as the weakest, no one in this family cares about anyone but themselves." No emotion was on my face. I stared at all of the strangers blankly.

"It is probably weak because of you," Rebecca smirked and stood up walking around the table. I walked towards her slowly only have red and black flashes go through my mind. I could feel my phone buzzing in my pocket but I ignored it.

"What's weak?" I asked with a smirk of my own. The colour in her face drained when I walked up to her. Someone tried pulling me back, but their strength was pointless against mine.

"y-y-you..." she spoke shakily then cleared her throat. "You're no one in this family. An outcast. No one in this family cares about you because you are just the weak link who has 'breathing problems. You are not-." I wrapped my hand around her throat roughly squeezing it tight as I lifted her off the ground. Everyone looked at me in terror. Not knowing who was in front of them. Not knowing who has replaced their daughter.

Well, the name is Sparrow, bitches.

Nothing could stop me or pull me away. It was all the bottled up anger and sadness I have been dwelling in. It was all coming out and sadly Rebecca was stupid enough to pull it out of me. I didn't care they were seeing the monster come out of me.

They have only seen the beginning.

"H-help." I narrowed my eyes to my gasping cousin and tilted my head. My brothers, my cousins, my uncles, my aunties, my parents. Everyone was begging, trying to pull me off, trying to get Rebecca away. But their efforts were worthless.

I pulled Rebecca down and eased the grip around her throat. I wanted her to concentrate. "I am not the weak one whore...you are. You and your little twi-." The words out of my mouth were cut when I saw a little red dot on Rebecca's head. Then suddenly it all dawned on me. The phone in my pocket was still ringing, and only one person would call me at this time.

Jace!

I looked around for a split second in panic. This couldn't be happening. I dropped Rebecca making her stumble back and fall to the ground. "EVERYONE GET DOWN!" I flipped the dining table in a matter of seconds and jumped down.

"Angelina tell me right now, what is happ-."

But it was too late because as soon as a ball of smoke was thrown into the room. All lights were turned off and everything turned black.