Iris POV
I crouched down really low in the dark corners of the bar trying my best to stay hidden. My heart was beating very hard against my ribcage almost as if it wanted to jump out because I was in a very dangerous situation.
I pressed my back against the cold rough brick wall behind me feeling the contrast between the chill of the wall and the warm crowded atmosphere of the bar around me. The noise from the people laughing and the sound of glasses clinking together created a loud mix of sounds that felt strangely far away like the gentle but unpredictable waves hitting the beach.
I worked hard to quiet my breathing paying close attention to how my chest rose and fell as I tried to calm the chaotic thoughts that were rushing through my head like a fierce storm that I couldn't control. I knew I could not be seen by anyone at that moment not now especially after what I had just heard not long ago.
“Do you believe that he has wings?” A voice suddenly interrupted the sounds around us. It was rough and scratchy and there was a clear sense of disdain in it. This feeling of contempt was so strong that it gave me chills and caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up straight.
Feeling a strong sense of urgency I shifted my position just a little bit. I carefully peeked around the edge of my hiding spot trying to get a good view of the group of men who were gathered closely together. The light around them was dim and flickering making it hard to see their faces.
However, one man stood out to me more than the others. He was very broad-shouldered had his hair slicked back neatly and just his presence seemed to dominate the space around him. I immediately recognized him it was Miguel. My heart sank deep within my chest as a wave of cold realization washed over me.
I knew Miguel very well because he was a Capo in the Mafia a figure well-known for being extremely ruthless and cunning in his actions. Just thinking about this made my stomach twist with unease. I continued to listen intently to what was happening feeling trapped in a complicated web of fear and uncertainty about my situation.
“Rafaelle believes that he can stand up to Don Campani and go against him. It’s hard not to laugh at that idea.” said another voice being sarcastic. There was a noticeable sneer in the way he spoke. “Honestly it sounds like he is asking for trouble and putting himself in danger.”
Panic squeezed tightly around my throat like a vice making it hard to breathe. I realized that these men were scheming and planning something terrible against my dear friend Raf and this was a really serious situation.
I could not let these men harm him I had to find a way to escape from here and warn him no matter what it took. But the question was how could I do that? It felt like the walls of this place were closing in on me trapping me in a small space and I was starting to feel like I couldn’t catch my breath because my fear was overwhelming. It was as if the very air I was trying to breathe had become thick and poisonous making everything even worse.
“Let's make sure he is taken care of,” Miguel said speaking in a tone that was even colder than the chilly air around us. “We will wait for the perfect opportunity to act and when we do we will make it happen quickly. That way no one will even realize that he has disappeared.”
Without even realizing it I let out a small sound almost like a gasp which slipped out from my lips. It was a reaction that came from my instincts mixed with a wave of pure panic. The laughter that had previously filled the bar suddenly stopped without warning.
In its place, an unsettling and heavy silence filled the room making it feel even more intense. I became completely still my body stiff and tense as my heart raced in my chest. It felt like every single person around me turned their ears in my direction as if they could somehow sense that I was there.
“Did you hear what just happened?” one of the men asked speaking in a deep menacing tone that made me feel cold and uneasy all over.
“Yes it sounds like that noise is coming from over there,” Miguel said as he pointed straight at me. When he did that I felt a strong and exciting rush of energy go through my body almost like a jolt of electricity flowing through my veins.
My heart was beating very fast in my chest almost like it was trying to escape. I knew I had to act quickly—there wasn’t a moment to waste thinking about what was happening. I quickly turned and rushed further into the dark shadows around me. With every hurried step, my breathing became faster and more shallow.
I was too scared to look back at what I was leaving behind. Instead, I concentrated on simply moving forward stepping one foot in front of the other. My only goal was to find a way to get away from the terrible nightmare that was happening all around me.
“Please everyone search the area thoroughly!” Miguel shouted his voice cutting through the thick tension in the air as sharply as a knife would cut through something soft.
A wave of panic rushed through my entire body pushing me to move as fast as I could. I bent down and moved quickly carefully avoiding the tables that were scattered around me. I tried to make my way through the crowded bar which was filled with people.
They were happily enjoying their drinks and laughter completely unaware of the very real danger that was close by. My heart was pounding in my chest like a wild horse galloping freely but I knew I had to keep my composure and not lose my cool.
I quickly ducked behind a set of heavy velvet curtains. The soft fabric lightly brushed against my arms as I pressed my back against the wall holding my breath and silently praying for just a moment of safety and calm.
“Miguel please take a look over there!” one of his friends insisted their footsteps getting louder and closer. This made every single nerve in my body feel like it was on fire with fear.
I needed to get out of there right away. My eyes were wide open with fear as I looked through the curtains. I was watching the people outside trying to pay close attention to what they were doing.
I was hoping to find a moment when they would be distracted just long enough for me to make my escape safely. My legs were shaking under me because I was so scared but I knew I had to find a way to calm myself down. So I waited quietly holding my breath wishing with all my heart for some kind of miracle that would create a distraction for me…