Chapter 4 POV ALLEGRA

"Find the girls, this wretch wouldn't have died without giving those wretched girls some information." Simon orders his men.

I collapse, barely able to hug my sister. I feel that everything is collapsing around us, that my lungs are not able to fill air, I feel pain even in my soul and yet, I need to be strong for my sister.

Alice and I stay hidden in the secret compartment while they search the entire house, but do not find. Dad's body is taken away, probably as proof to the Spider boss that they accomplished their mission. It may be horrible, but I think it was for the best, because I couldn't bear to leave here knowing that I would find my father's body.

Anyway, it's not easy, it's like my heart stopped along with Dad's and my soul ripped out inside that trapdoor. The person who comes out, is a completely different person.

The first thing is to put a jacket, hooded, on me and my sister. Then I take one last look at the house that was my home for so many years and today has become the reason for my nightmares. Drawing strength from nowhere, unable to stop crying especially at the sight of the blood splattered all over the room, I leave together with Alice through the back doors.

Alice doesn't understand when I drag her through the streets, a few blocks ahead to dig where I buried the box. With my hands, and as if this could ease my pain, I weep but silently shove my fingers hard into the earth.

"Allegra?" My sister calls out, also tearful and frightened. She approaches me, stopping beside me with moist eyes and a trembling little body. "What's going on?"

"It's going to be all right, I promise, we'll be all right." It's horrible to make a promise that I don't know if I can keep, but at this moment, I don't have the strength to explain anything else to Alice right now.

I pull her body to me, hugging her even though my hands are dirty. Alice doesn't pull away; on the contrary, she clings to me with her delicious gum smell. I wanted to console her, but in truth I am the one who needs consoling. We stand like this, hugging and weeping in silence over the death of our father for a few seconds, but we don't have much time to feel our grief.

There are noises of gunshots very close to us and we jump in place. It is not safe to stay. In my pants pocket I have the paper of where I need to go and now, after walking away from Alice, I finish taking the little wooden box out of the dirt. It is the moment to find out what this map is that got my father killed, why it is so important.

But when I open it, what I see is the last name I expected. In the middle of all the localization, of markings, there is one name in particular. This name is known all over Moscow and outside Moscow as well, especially in the major gangs. When I was inside the Spider thanks to my ex-boyfriend, I heard people talking about this name and looked it up.

Kratos.

The man known as Kratos is like the founder of the criminal world, born in Latin America. He started the drug trade in several countries, including here in Russia. It is not known where he died, the man is considered a legend and his treasure even more so. I for one could not believe that there really existed a map to the place where he hid all his wealth before he died - but my father found it.

Without having much time, I put the empty box away and hide the map inside my bra. My sister and I cover our faces with our hoods and holding her hand, we sneak through the streets. There are armed men behind us, chasing us, and my advantage is that I know these streets and their shortcuts well.

Using shortcuts, I run away from the men trying to find me and my sister. I don't know exactly how to get out of the country looking for war alone with a thirteen-year-old child, no documents, and with people trying to kill us. So my only chance is to go after the only person who can help me leave for Norway.

I knock on the door of the only man who can be an ally for me, because he has been a friend of Dad's for years, and I ask for his help. First, I ask only for a place to rest together with my sister, telling him what has happened and why I am in this state.

"I can't believe he's dead, it can't be... " He comments to himself, also in shock at the information.

Silently, I don't know much to comment on the subject, after all, the images and the noises I hear are still in my head. I swallow dryly. "We'll sort everything out, daughter, don't worry, take a shower and get some rest tonight, you'll be safe here."

"Are you sure we can stay? I really don't want to be a burden, just tell me how to cross the border and we will go."

"It's the least I can do, don't worry." He touches my shoulders, and the masculine touch makes me stiffen all over, changing my breathing immediately. Suspiciously, he moves his hands away from me when he notices my discomfort. "Forgive me."

"No problem, Uncle. I apologize, it's just that... It's been a difficult night."

"Trust me, soon you and your sister will be safe." He assures me, making me breathe a little better for the first time tonight. "Now take a shower and take care of your sister, I will go out to make you both comfortable and take care of some things for your trip. It is not easy to cross the border clandestinely, I will ask some contacts for help."

"No problem, we are fine with you being here." I really don't feel comfortable taking you out of the house. "There are armed and dangerous men outside, they are looking for us, it's not safe to go out in the streets."

"Don't worry about me, child, I'll take care of myself." He smiles at me. "Besides, if they are looking for you, we have no time to lose. Tell me, to which country do you want to go?"

"Norway." That's the location Dad gave me, and I will follow in his footsteps. Alice doesn't take her arms around my waist.

If this is the War I remember, if this is who I'm thinking of, I'll have all the protection he can offer me, and I'll even get help to avenge my father's death. Simon took away my innocence, my youth, he and his men have haunted me for a long time. I kept quiet, I was docile while I was the only one to be harmed. But tonight he took much more from me than he ever had before, he destroyed me, my sister, and killed my father.

What he wants is now in my hands, I have the advantage, and with Guerra on my side, I won't give up until I make him pay.

Leading a life away from their dirty business has not led me to anything good, so the different person who was born the moment my father's heart stopped, will not rest until he makes them know hell.

"Norway then." Agree, leaving Alice and me alone.