II DEMONE

PTE

ural view of Corleone. With his weary eyes he surveyed his new environment. The town itself looked as though it rose from the earth org

uare where locals gathered, their voices mixing into a melodic cacophony that filled Dante's ears, r

of Corleone. It was a place out of time, rugged yet enduring, like the spirit of the town itself. Here Dante hoped to find a moment's peace, perhaps ev

he will never come in contact ever again, not even a body to bury eventually. He didn't even get the slightest chance to say goodbye. How could he have known that the Pasta alla No

, the last of their family lines. Now, he's all alone with no one to lend a helping hand or a shoulder

tell if the tears he struggled with were from the ache of missing his parents or the desperate twinge of emptiness in his belly. His journey to Corleone

stained nightwear lacked even a pocket he could search for loose change. Left with no other c

ompassionate enough to help a homeless little boy. Approaching her with folded hands and a desperate expression, he gree

step closer, the middle-aged woman shooe

fluent English. "You with those little rascals come here

"I'm not one of them Signora! I come in peace and just need a little something

y. "Get away from here! I'm not your mother! Go meet

by the stark reality that he had no mother to run to when he was hungry, that he'd never have the luxury of enjoying common yet happy meals with his parents anymore. He ran away from overshadowin

market and she would always buy him as much arancinas as she could afford. Back to the days when his father would always stand by the door side with open arms, ready to embrace him after each day spent at the

gs that exhibited a palpable sense of danger. At this point, Dante no longer cared, he felt ready to join his parents, though he was scared to do that on a hungry stomach. He had heard tales that those who died hungry str

es to his aid and provide his last meal. Like a miracle, Dante found a bowl containing what looked like the answer to his pra

his knees, managing a smile

mother of God. Thank you so much for

hrows into his mouth, munching eagerly. As he choked on a mouthful, he notices a small jug of w

ring if the Virgin Mary herself was talking to him. Turning to the direction the voice came from, a heavy blow lands