"Wait," I struggle indecisively within myself. To be honest, I have not needed to make a lot of big decisions in my life. It makes me feel more sheltered and spoiled than I would like.

Alfredo's eyes flick to me and he motions with his gun to continue.

I stare at him dumbstruck. Why'd I say wait? Wait, don't shoot me! Or wait, I'll tell you everything and then you can kill me because I will be of no use after I tell you? I can only see the downside of both sides.

What I don't know is why Alfredo would question me of all people? Why not question any of the Riccas? The Riccas know the exact location of what the skeleton key opens into. I'm sure they closely guarded the secret that the key was missing. Thus, they had a higher chance of having the key. I've been missing, probably presumed dead for the past four years. I do no know why and how the Acerbis or even Jacob discovered I was alive.

It's just a pity that they don't have the only key that could open it. I forgot the name of the genius who created the secret little base, but only the Skeleton Key can open it for some reason. There are no other ways someone may try to break in. (I detect some supernatural power). However, I never got to caring enough to research about it. I would rather think there's some type of magic that shields the base so there's no way of detecting the place unless you're in the base.

It was hilarious when the Riccas tried to force their way in when they saw the key was missing. I could not hide the satisfaction I felt at their desperation. The looks on their faces! It was sweet revenge. The greatest part was they actually didn't know who took it back then. I was always the innocent piccola, the one everyone protected and sheltered. Yet, I wasn't given the name Viviana for no reason. Anyways, I think they still aren't absolutely sure who has the key. Now, the most sadistic, trained men of the Ricca family guard the base 24/7. I think it's a waste of time and men since no one but me can enter.

I did open Pandora's box. The Riccas are one shady but cunning family. It must be why they have been the longest to last. There is information not only on the Riccas, but everyone one else involved with them. It's a library, but not. I have always wondered how and why there are so many files. There's just cabinets full of them. Who did this all? I never did have the chance to read any of them.

If there is any chance of someone succeeding and entering the place, they will be in for a nasty surprise. I cooked up a few little something's that I cannot be sure won't kill a few dozen.

"I don't have the key, but I know someone who does." I lie effortlessly. It's a half lie, half truth. I placed the key in the safest place I could think of. I actually don't have it on me because I knew that someone could take it from me one day no matter what. I like to be prepared.

"I-I can lead you to him." I continue. I'm trying to think of a plan, making things up as I go. It's not a very good one, but at least it'll save me some time.

"Who is this man?" Alfredo finally lowers his gun and listens intently. I'm beginning to learn little bits about Alfredo. That doens't make me any less confused due to the fact he's a bundle of contractions. One minute he is collected, another he is furious and impatience.

"I will give you his name, if you shall set me free." I bargain.

"How about you give me his name and you will still have all your limbs?" He barters with a straight face.

I guess he makes a good point. "His name is Jacob Smith."

"Jacob Smith..." he tastes the name on his tongue. A man approaches him as Alfredo whispers in his ear. They converse heatedly for a brief moment. I faintly here snippets in Italian but I cannot connect the phrases together. After he leaves, Alfredo grins chillingly, "You shall bring us to him."

"Us?" I gulp. Okay, I didn't think he would actually bring me along. "I don't know where he is!"

He turns away rudely and goes off to wherever creepy mafia bosses go.

I'm once again standing there perplexed. With no warning, several men grip my body and immoblize me. Then, all I see is black as they cover my head with some type of hood and knock me out. I'm getting sick of passing out.

***

Bright light invades my eyes in the most unpleasant way as someone yanks the hood off of my head. I'm sitting in a car, squished in between two of Alfredo's men. I glance at the lack of restraints on me. I'm not sure if it's because they underestimate me, or if I underestimate them. My composure slips as I recognize the surroundings outside the window. We can't be here.

We are here. I must give Alfredo sauce some respect for his recklessness. We are in one of the Ricca's dominant city in America: Rinza. The last time I came here the neighborhood didn't look as ghetto, as hostile. The buildings we passed show shattered windows, the cars keyed and damaged. The sun has set so few people walk around. Those that stroll along are in groups, and most likely are involved in some type of gang.

We stop in front of nondescript apartment building with barred up windows and peeled paint. It doesn't stand out from the rest, sporting the same grimy white with a failed attempt of a metal fence to protect the building. There's no one around this block. It's completely deserted save for a few stray animals.

"Where are we?" I ask to nobody in particular.

As expected, no one answers.

"Out." They push me out of the car when I don't move out fast enough.

We head inside the seemingly abandoned buildling. Alfredro is the first to reach the front and he shoots the lock off. The bullets ricochet loudly, most likely signaling our arrival. The group of around ten men rush into the building alongside us. After several flights of stairs, we finally stop in front of a door. At Alfredo's signal, they burst in immediately.

A butterfly sensation starts in my stomach as it slowly dawns on me why we are standing here. I suppose I should have expected him to be here, and Alfredo to barge into this territory. I just didn't expect it at all. They found Jacob without trouble, in Rinza no less. I'm disappointed that none of the Riccas or local gang have showed up yet.

This time another man kicks the door open as everyone rushes in. Now, everyone is holding their weapons, poised and ready.

I glance inside. There's barely anything of use in the room. It's almost empty except for a mattress, travel bag, and some odds and ends.

To our left, Jacob Smith stands there with a twinkie stuffed in his mouth as he waves with his hand a couple feet away from a hole in the wall. "Fu*k." He raises his hands with a pasted on smile. "Guess I'm surrounded huh?"

"What treachery this is!" He holds his heart and falls to his knees at the sight of me. "I thought we had a connection, a bond!" He wails as if I broke his heart.

"Or not." He smirks as he leaps up with two guns and begins to shoot.

Great. I'm in the middle of a gun battle with no gun or protection.

In a hurry, I throw myself behind a wall to the side. The wood splinters to the side of my head as I hit the ground.

Stupid floor. It's all splintered and stabbing into my skin. Wood burn is awful. I get up and flatten myself against the wall, peeking to look at the carnage.

Jacob, hiding behind the overturned mattress, isn't doing too bad: he took down two men already.

However, he hasn't spotted Alfredo leaning casually against the doorway. Squinting, I realize that Alfredo's sharp eyes are watching Jacob's every move. He's just observing.

Are they aiming to kill him? The bullets are all over the place. I duck once more as a bullet zooms by.

And across from me is my escape. It's the hole in the wall that Jacob was trying to get to before we left. It's more a hole made by someone purposefully through a fit of rage with some type of weapon. The wood is angrily chipped and broken.

A cry of pain from Jacob catches my attention. He is hit in the shoulder as he drops to one knee. I'm impressed he hasn't once stop shooting, but his gun only has four bullets before it's out. Again, Jacob shouts as his thigh is nicked when he moves behind a wall for better cover.

Three men down for the count.

I have only one opportunity, and I'm going to take it. 

Three bullets.

I put my body through and my feet touch nothing. There is going to be a drop.

Two bullets.

I let go of the wall and fall.

one shot rings, followed by a gun clattering to the ground and painful grunts.

I try my best not to imagine what is going on upstairs. It's better to ignore it. I land clumsier than I usually do as my toes absorb the impact. On instinct, I push my upward body forward and roll before getting up. Night has fallen, and I need to get off these streets. I sprint to the one place that may hopefully give me shelter. It takes a while to remember the direction for the scenery of this city has become more rundown. I'm probably in the worst section of the Rinza though. It should look better as I head towards the other side.

I cautiously avoid the main roads, cutting corners and sneaking in the shadows. I cut some close calls when I run into some panhandlers and thugs. Luckily, they were the ones who traveled solo so I could escape. I hope my luck will hold out for a few more miles. That's all I need.

I'm only a mile off from the house, but the neighborhood has remained the same. In fact, there are now more people around here. I'm beginning to feel worried as more suspicious people are roaming about. The noises have increased as more bars and clubs line up the streets. These businesses are not the good kind.

Every little noise puts me on edge from a glass bottle shattering to a door banging against its frame. I wrap my arms a bit closer to my body. My flimsy clothes are muddled with grime and dried blood. I cannot remember the last time I had a shower or even changed my clothes. The air is growing colder by the minute, and I still cannot find my old friend's house. There are too many new buildings, replacing everything I was familiar with. The only clue I have is the street signs.

I shy back into a random alley as black cars zoom slowly across. I plead that nobody will spot me as my heart thumps faster and faster. I may be able to defend myself, but I lack the fitness for it. I'm already sweating and panting with exhaustion from four miles. Many pairs of heels walk towards several cars. Scandily dressed women and men lean into different cars. I widen as I know what kind of trouble I just walked into. 

This can't be right. I scan the street signs once more. I'm on the correct street: Euclin Ave. I'm in the right block. He should be around here. Yet, as I scan the buildings, there are no longer any residential homes around here. I crouch in the alley as I feel lost. 

Donny, my mom's longtime friend, used to live here. Where his house is stands a bar with flashing red lights. It's a f*cking strip club dirtying the spot up! Donny was the nicest man I have ever met, almost like another uncle. He tried to stay uninvolved with the family business as possible, and he never got his hands dirty. 

I'm stuck in Rinza with nowhere to go and no one to turn towards. I'm going to trust my gut feeling and believe this city is no longer the Ricca family's control. I put my money that the Acerbis are now in charge of this place. No, the Ricca are less profile with their activity. 

I'm going to need a lot of money, but the first thing I need to do is get a disguise. I'm feeling nerdy.

A/N
If YALL are Supernatural fans, I'm trying to make it like the secret base that the winchesters found. The Men of Letters one. Bear with me lol. Im allowed to put whatever I please heh. Now for this story: it shall be more realistic? Not demons and what not. I'll probably try my best to say more.

The cities I made up because I just felt like it. Any similar names and places are purely coincidential

gah, i hate my teachers for throwing tests on me before my finals! they are terrible! It's actually just ONE teacher who i have TWICE a day! I gave up momentarily...just to write this chapter (: It did help me vent a bit!!

Comment please and let me know how it is

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:) thanks everyone