My punishment had been settled.
I was going to be whipped a hundred times, for it was the penalty for me running away. I didn't bother to plead, for I was too guilt stricken from the truth that had been revealed to me.
I had killed Maria and despite my hatred for her, I felt immensely ashamed and sorry for having taken it so far. I secretly hoped the strokes of the cane would pull me to hell where I belonged, so I could suffer forever for even thinking of hurting another human being, much less taking her life.
"It is good you don't bother to beg". Pedro stated finally, the most he had said since he revealed my punishment for running away.
"I know it's hopeless. The mafia doesn't forgive, you all don't have hearts to". I spat.
I didn't get a chance to fully understand the situation before I suddenly I felt the hotness of a whip on my back scaring me and sending a jolt of pain around my body.
"Puta!!! How dare you!!" The familiar voice of Enrique yelled behind me.
He came into view soon after and only then did I see how angry he was, and worse all the other men in the room who were now advancing at me and raining curses that ranged from "Bitch" to "puta".
I felt the instant fear as the men's eyes roamed all through my body along with the anger in their eyes.
"Enough!". Yelled Pedro as he raised his arm to stop them from advancing further.
They all stopped in their tracks and even Enrique stayed still, although he ran his hands through the horse whip ever so often to remind me of my intended faith.
Pedro chuckled almost immediately he said so, the sound of his laughter echoing through the dark room.
He then stepped closer so that I was face to face with him although I was suspended and his face directly facing my belly button.
However, we were now only a feet away and our eyes locked in. "I like you. You'll fit in here perfectly". He said finally, his face clean and back to his stoic expression.
"You claim we don't have hearts?, then what about you?, at least we kill our enemies, not our family, especially not the only family we have left.... In cold blood".
Laughter erupted through the room, each man laughing hard at me along with Pedro who must seen something funny on my face. My body felt hot all over and I felt my eyes tearing up. Then I began shaking, my heart heavy and completely broken .
I didn't want to be a killer, I wasn't a killer.
"I'm not like you-" I tried to defend myself but my words were low and even though they heard it, they persisted with their laughter, until Pedro raised his hand again to silence the room .
"You're exactly like us." Pedro got closer again, he calmly grabbed my thighs with a slap shaking me, "Valeria Ardetti welcome to the mafia."
He slapped my thighs again, gave me one last look before turning his back to me. He walked further away until he stood at the edge of where the light reached and stopped.
"Enrique!!" He called . Enrique rushed to his side.
"Yes Boss Pedro".
"Reduce her Lashing to 20, but be hard.."
"Boss apologies for interrupting you but Liam is critical, the girl needs to be paralyzed at least."
"Then Liam should have done a better job defending himself against a girl with a kitchen knife and zero experience, I ought to kill him!!". Pedro hissed back Forcing Enrique to be quiet.
"Sorry boss".
"Reduce her lashing and then give her the Russian bath, that would suffice for her punishment. Afterwords take her to Estella. She would have already received my instructions by then. Is that understood?". Asked Pedro stomping his feet.
"Yes Boss!".
Pedro nodded. "Good". He gave a last turn to me and looked at me "Valeria Ardetti, try to stay alive no matter what, for I plan a challenge between you and Liam in the future, only then will you either earn my respect... or earn your well intended death".
After that, he turned away and I truly never saw him again, at least until he promised I would.
"Men follow me, Enrique would handle her!". Ordered Pedro as he retreated into the darkness.
The men groaned loudly probably disappointed that there were not getting a piece of me, but I worried not for them anymore, because despite their disappointment they all followed after Pedro not a single one left behind except Enrique who I now worried for.
I took in a deep breath as Enrique got closer. A menacing smile playing on his crooked lips . Instead of standing in front of me like I expected he began circling me making me scramble to get a glimpse of him.
"I'll make it painful that much I can promise to filth like you". He hissed out and what followed after was the sound of the whip and it's impact on my flesh .
I screamed in pain as I watched him still circling me and only then did I understand what he was doing.
Enrique was torturing me, he circled my body so I couldn't ascertain where the next hit would be which was not only physical torture but mental as well.
Knowing this, I decided it was best to remove the excitement for him. So I stayed still and closed my eyes. I forced myself to be calm through it all no matter how painful.
The second hit came and even though it was twice as painful I bore it twice as well letting out only a small whimper. I continued that way, keeping my eyes closed as more hits followed. Despite how painful they were I stopped crying and caring and only waited for the last one which never came as I passed out on the 12th stroke.