"Agosti?" he repeats, sounding dumbfounded.
I frown at the unfamiliar name, but it seems to have an effect on Mario.
I stoop low and take a few steps, wanting to see what's happening.
"War with Agosti or the Marchesi have my head… I'd say it's about the same to me," Mario finally replies, raising his gun and aiming it at the man. He seems unbothered as he slowly shakes his head, laughing.
"You'd kill the Agosti heir? You must be very brave or…" he steps closer, fitting himself to the gun, "very stupid."
They seem to be engaged in a staring contest before Mario takes a step back, holstering his gun.
"This isn't over," he says, signaling the others to go. A few shushed words are exchanged between them before the other boat turns around and leaves.
When I see the man returning, I try to scramble back to the living room, but he's quick as he grabs me by my collar, raising me up so we're at eye level.
"Why would Marchesi be after you, kiddo?" His eyes glint dangerously in the moonlight, and fear grips me.
"I don't know," I say, hoping he will believe me.
"You don't know?" He smirks, turning around and taking me to the edge of the boat. My eyes widen, thinking he can't possibly…
His hand tightens on my shirt, and he raises me over the boat's railing. My feet are dangling in empty space, the sea staring threateningly at me from below.
"Did they send you to spy on me?"
"Please," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I'm petrified. Why would I spy on him? I don't even know him.
"Tell me the truth, and I'll let you go," he continues, his eyes cold and emotionless. It's like the man from before disappeared into thin air. The more I stare into his unfeeling eyes, the more I realize there's simply no way out of this. Hewillthrow me over if I don't answer.
But what can I tell him? How much can I tell him?
"I… the Marchesi are my parents," I answer quickly, squeezing my eyes shut and hoping he'll be true to his word and let me go.
"There, see? It's possible to be truthful." He makes a tsk sound, and I open my eyes to see him smirking. "Go on," he urges me, but I just shake my head.
"That's it."
"I wonder…" He drifts off, his hand moving as he balances me from one side to the other, the threat of drowning looming closer and closer.
"Please," I whimper.
"Fine," he sighs in a bored manner. He brings me closer to the railing, and just as he's about to pull me to the other side, I hear a popping sound.
No!
Everything happens in slow motion. I watch in horror as the material of my shirt tears, a big chunk of it remaining in his hand. My mouth opens in a loud gasp, a cry for help that won't come out.
And I'm falling.
I break the surface of the water with a painful thud, and then I'm sinking.
I open my eyes, my limbs flailing around in an attempt to stay afloat, but nothing works. I open my mouth again, trying to ask for help, hoping he'll hear me. But water floods in from all directions. There's a deafening silence as I fall lower and lower under the merciless assault of the waves. The more I struggle, the worse it gets.
Until I give up.
I look at the magnificent blue of the sea and tell myself that maybe it's not the worst way to go.
Somehow, I'm resigned.
