81. Erased from their lives.

Sofia.

I was pulled along forcefully by the men, feeling dizzy and confused as I tried to gather my thoughts. It was hard to believe what was happening to me. Just moments ago, I was trapped in a psychiatric hospital, constantly monitored by doctors and nurses. And now, I found myself being taken to an old, deserted train station by a group of men led by a mysterious man named Bruno Amato.

My heart raced as we finally reached the abandoned train station. The walls were peeling, and the air smelled of decay. I looked around, trying to make sense of my surroundings, but my mind felt hazy and slow. The cold breeze brushed against my skin, and the rusty train tracks emitted an eerie sound as we walked towards our destination. The men brought me to a dark and damp corner of the station, and suddenly, Bruno spoke up. His voice grated on my already frazzled nerves. He ordered one of his men to get water, and to my horror, he poured the entire bucket over my head. I gasped as the cold liquid soaked into my clothes, making me shiver uncontrollably.

"You smell awful! Your hygiene must have deteriorated. You need to wash away all the madness and grime of the psychiatric hospital before we can continue our conversation," Bruno said, causing me to feel deeply ashamed and humiliated. His words hit me hard, as if I had been physically punched.

The men then handed me cleaning products and directed me towards a shower area. I hesitated, unsure if I could trust them. But under Bruno's intense gaze, I realized I had no other option. I reluctantly made my way to the shower. The exposed and rusty pipes made me doubt the water's cleanliness, but the desperate need to cleanse my dirty and sweaty body compelled me to take the risk. I undressed and stepped under the icy spray, using the antiseptic they had given me to scrub myself.

The stinging sensation was almost unbearable, and every cut and scrape on my hands and legs screamed in agony. I clenched my teeth, tears streaming down my face as I tried to focus on the task at hand. The cold water made me shiver uncontrollably, leaving me feeling violated, exposed, and vulnerable. Fear and anger coursed through my trembling body.

I couldn't comprehend why all of this was happening to me. Was it because of my troubled past? My struggle with addiction? The constant battle with my mental health? I had no answers, only haunting questions that consumed my thoughts.

After finishing my shower, I dried off and changed into a fresh set of clothes that had been given to me. My fingers were sore as I tried to hold onto the makeshift carving tool—a small piece of metal I found in the bathroom stall. My nails had been painfully trimmed down, making it difficult to make progress on the rough and dirty wall surface. But despite the challenges, fueled by a desperate desire for revenge, I persisted.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of painstaking effort, I managed to etch Elena's name onto the wall. The letters were uneven and rough, but they stood out amidst the filth and decay of the bathroom. Stepping back, I took pride in my work, a cruel smile forming on my lips. Soon, Elena would face the consequences she deserved. I would make her grovel at my feet, licking my shoes in submission.

As I turned to leave the stall, a sharp pain shot through my fingertips. Looking down, I saw deep cuts covering my hands, blood trickling down my arms and staining my new clothes slightly. Hurriedly, I wrapped the wounds with the bandages provided by Bruno's men, wincing at the stinging sensation.

With my hands now bandaged, I appeared slightly more presentable as I emerged from the bathroom. Meeting Bruno's gaze with determination, my mind was set on my goal. With Bruno's assistance, I was going to make every single person in the Ferrari pack who stood against my objective pay dearly.

Walking back toward the group of men, I tried to conceal any signs of vulnerability and fear. I knew I had to stay on guard, no matter what was to come next. Suddenly, my heart sank as Bruno threw a wad of cash at my feet. The cold, hard money landed against my body, a sharp contrast to the rough and dirty ground where I knelt. On all fours, I scrambled to gather the bills, clutching them tightly as if they were my lifeline, my fingers grasping in a frenzy. Standing up, I felt the weight of the cash in my hands—it was the heaviest thing I had ever held.

But then, Bruno spoke, and his words hit me like a crushing blow. He smirked at me, saying, "I want you to do whatever I ask. You belong to me now, and you will obey my commands."

The weight of the money suddenly felt lighter, and I questioned the deal I had just made. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to lash out. I knew I had no choice but to comply, at least for the time being. "And what is it that you want?" I asked, trying to maintain a calm tone.

Bruno laughed cruelly at my question, and a wave of fear washed over me. I realized I had made a grave mistake. "Don't you know who I am?" Bruno sneered, and I shook my head, feeling the weight of my ignorance.

"Stupid girl," he said, kicking me with his shoe. I winced in pain, feeling the dull ache in my ribs. And then, he uttered the name that struck me like lightning, "Amato is not just a common name. I am the alpha of the Amato pack. Yes, the same Amato that you know."

My heart raced as I finally recognized Bruno's name. Suddenly, everything clicked in my mind, and I realized the gravity of the situation I had unwittingly walked into. I stared at Bruno, my eyes fixed on him without blinking, while a storm of emotions brewed inside me. Fear, anger, sadness, and regret all swirled together, threatening to overwhelm me. I understood that I needed to be careful and strategic if I wanted to survive this ordeal.

Trembling slightly, I asked him once again, "What do you want me to do?"

Bruno leaned in close, his breath hot on my face. "There's a certain pack in town that has been causing my family trouble for years," he said. "I want you to take care of them for me."

My heart sank at his words. It was clear that he was referring to the Ferrari pack. "What exactly do you want me to do?" I asked, my voice shaking with apprehension.

Bruno's smile only widened. "Oh, you'll know what to do when the time comes," he replied. "But for now, just remember that you belong to me."

I nodded silently, a sense of dread settling in my stomach. I realized that I had fallen into deep trouble, and there might be no easy way out.

Several hours later, I managed to retrieve my car and essential belongings. I trailed behind the Deangelo family's car as they sped through the busy city streets, deftly maneuvering through traffic. My heart raced as I struggled to keep up, my eyes never leaving their vehicle until it eventually pulled into a crowded parking lot. Excitement coursed through me as I realized we had arrived at a carnival. I parked my car at a safe distance and watched as the Ferrari family stepped out, their fashionable attire standing out amidst the carnival-goers.

The carnival was a vibrant display of colors and sounds. Lights flashed and music blared, creating a dizzying atmosphere. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of fried food and sugary treats, causing my stomach to rumble. Towering rides spun and twirled, eliciting screams and laughter from thrill-seekers. Children ran around with balloons, their faces painted in bright hues, while their parents struggled to keep up. Street vendors lined the paths, peddling a variety of goods, from cotton candy to stuffed animals, their voices calling out to attract customers.

I took a deep breath and followed the Ferrari family, maintaining a safe distance as I weaved through the bustling crowd. The scent of popcorn and fried food enveloped me as I passed food stalls and game booths, but my focus remained fixed on the Ferraris. I watched as they moved from ride to ride, laughter and screams of delight filling the air.

My heart raced as I spotted Deangelo among the group, his handsome features illuminated by the carnival lights. I followed him as he approached a game booth and skillfully won a large stuffed animal for Elena. It infuriated me that everyone else saw their interactions as mere employer and nanny, oblivious to the deeper connection between them. I couldn't help but wonder if they were blind to the truth.

As the evening progressed, the Ferraris blended seamlessly with the crowd, now laden with various carnival accessories and gifts. I had to strain my eyes to keep track of them amidst the blaring music and flashing lights. I felt like an outsider, invisible to them, as if I had been erased from their lives. I questioned if they even knew I still existed, if they cared at all. Deep down, I knew the answers, but a glimmer of hope lingered, tempting me to believe otherwise.

They soon melded into the throng of carnival-goers, becoming increasingly difficult to follow. The music blared, the lights flashed, and a disorienting sensation washed over me. I realized that I was out of my element, that I didn't belong there among the carefree crowd but rather with them. I understood that I had a mission to fulfill, that I needed to find a way to approach Deangelo and convince him to take me back to the pack.

I noticed Deangelo looking around, seemingly searching for something or someone. Part of me imagined that he might be seeking me out, that he could sense my presence and was trying to find me. But then, he turned away and walked off with his family, leaving me behind in the shadows.

I stood there for a while longer, observing the carnival-goers enjoying their night of merriment and laughter. A pang of sadness tugged at my heart, but I straightened my posture and clenched my jaw.

I knew what I had to do.