System Godfathers

y ears, I stood in front of a crimson door unsure of my purpose. The glass chandelier overhead cast a fiery yellow sh

by 9 pm. Hence, following a few bottles of alcohol, I found myself there, facing

t its spice. The lunch I had after the interviews did not taste good, and it was not

efore I could even respond, he pulled me into a rough hug,

drinking?" He squeezed h

r-of-factly, turning

e chuckled, "you l

hing new," I r

ered, and then I turned my attention

is shoulder was broader than mine and I noticed that his once short blonde hai

appened to you

is brows

look more put-together

for school you thought I

t mean that

that drunk ass boy all my life, do you?" He let out his usual mischievous grin, and his tr

a bit, my brother," I m

did yo

thi

u piece o

ened to you, Sta

if you had ever believed in

you do with yourself?" I leaned into him, catching a whi

pulled me into another tight embrace, gi

my ears, tapping my back, but I relu

t answer my damn

find out soon enough, innit? Oh,

ha

is three

g! Why didn't yo

ely. For what! Just because I joined La Cherussia you should alienate me, huh?" A

ou no matter what, and you know it. But you could not do the same for me. You thought you were better, innit? You thought you could do better, and kept f

me!" I growled, g

till doing that delusi

I repeated with sunken eyes, no

see,

pered harshly; "Remember the first rule of the mafia: no drinking." He reached for his poc

d swallow." H

all

r once, jus

, complying as qui

across it is the life of your dreams. Keep your mind on that. The silver lining is, if you pass, you get your pi

o!

aped with joy, but on seeing my sad expression, readjusted his demeano

at," I s

ows. "My point is, once you pass the test you will meet stun

ure that I

unning. So, keep your mind on that." He cleared his th

I even want

saying, Ceasar.

ly, Stan. My life wil

ead to the side. And at that moment, I felt terr

kin who was clad in nothing but tight underwear which revealed the humongous size of his male appendage. His aura exuded darkness, and his sunken eyes, rough go

ened by the unknown dangers lurking within. Immediately we stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind us. I heard the sound of a beep, an indication that we had

it was that they were smoking, enveloped them in an eerie haze, filling the room with an acrid odor that threatened

ar-white skull, and surrounded by an assortment of k

arely audible. In truth, I was unsure of what to

on his nose. I was not sure who he was referring to, but my mouth felt parched as I

let him go alone. This I did in adherence to the Ten Commandments which stipulated that a Ch

heard battle-lad

n the United States. He has been my friend and a trusted comrade from childhood. However, I leave the final decision

e possessed a lengthy visage crowned by silver hair packed upwards like a Japanese Samurai. He pu

business

concurred, their ex

tried to comply, but my legs became a heavy lead, dragging along as if defying his command. The muscular

especially at the sight of those sickle-shaped knives, but a thunderous slap descended on the back of my head, reformatting my compo

pulling out a mysterious book with a dark cover and placing it on

ood for the ladies, and business-savvy." He r

my pulse race. Each iteration fueled me with anxiety and anticipation. The stark realization hit me,

land my dream job. I only did a few certificate courses from those universities and aced them, that's all. But here in Graef, one must do an

o clear the air, but this man's

lared, and my confession remaine

ips were instantly stitched up. I simply stared on like a helpless purple, hoping for the

the title. This distortion of reality, how did it get this far? The bo

You are obliged to always tell the truth whenever asked by any of your comr

this lie progressed to this stage is something I cannot explain. Stankov

the book and offered it to me. "Take this. Memorize the Ten Commandmen

kened surface inked with light-colored letters, a list of laws, and a declarat

." I shook my h

watching you for defaults. If you are good enough, then initiation by blood will follow. But if you fail, along with your guarant

my affirmation punct

l refer to me as Pad

dri

dfather'. You

nly, Pa

d fetch him some money and several women to warm his bed! He freaking sounds like a virgin!" Loud cackles of lau

s through, ushering us toward the other exit. But before we wen

g behind us with a definite thud. The other room's sinister air is left behind

bastard," He whispered, a suppress

I replied in a whisper as we

ur Padriano has

man looks m

drafted without a cut on your sk

hy

dy the initiation usually is. It surprise

be because o

o way,

what

pa