AllFreeNovel
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“Yes, but?—”
“No buts. The only way to become a better painter is to keep on painting. Even the greats sucked at first.”
“I don’t think?—”
“I’m not sure that the arts require you to think. More feel.” He eyes me. “We might’ve been watching Derrick and other Scarlet Vipers. From what I can tell, Derrick didn’t make you feel much.”
“He didn’t let me feel much,” I whisper.
With Derrick, everything was all about him. The house, the groceries, the clothes, the sex… everything was about what he wanted. He picked the position each time, and I hardly ever came when we fucked. When we dated, sure, I would’ve said we made love, but after we married, it was like a switch went off, and I was just a means for him to get off.
I try to shove all thoughts of my dick of a husband from my mind and focus on the bacon. My poached eggs are perfectly running, and I dip my toast in it. Just the way I like it. Derrick only ever liked his eggs scrambled. I’m never scrambling another egg in my life.
As the breakfast conversation unfolds, we become two individuals seeking solace in the simplicity of shared moments. Who knows? Maybe Vinnie needs a quiet rebellion against the intricacies of the shadows that define his life too. In this transient reprieve, the breakfast place becomes a space where, for a fleeting moment, the distinctions between friends and mafia members blur, offering a glimpse of normalcy within the clandestine dance of the Obsidian Shadows.
Vinnie pays, something I hadn’t even thought of. He just nods to me, probably taking in my parted lips and wide eyes. I have cash, yes, but I don’t want to keep using it, and now that I’m an Obsidian Shadow, I won’t be paid, right? I won’t have an outside job? I won’t be held under lock and key.
We leave and start to walk back toward the bar. The day is bright, but Windsor Grove seems a bit sleepy yet. There’s not a lot of cars about.
Except there, on the corner…
Yes. I recognize those dents.
A car door slams. The driver, dressed inconspicuously, a dark baseball hat covering his face in shadows, starts to head toward us.
The illusion of normalcy crumbles with a sudden and chilling realization, a haunting awareness that the shadows I thought I'd escaped still cling to me. The echoes of footsteps become a disconcerting rhythm, an ominous reminder that the dance of the Scarlet Vipers is relentless.
"We need to go. Now,” I hiss to Vinnie.
The shadows that pursued me have not dissipated. Instead, they have morphed into something more menacing, an unseen threat that echoes the sins of my late husband's organization.
Vinnie glances around. “What’s happening?”
“They found me.” My voice is strained. “The Scarlet Vipers.”
The weight of the revelation hangs heavy between us, a reminder that the dance with the shadows is far from over. In this city of obscured alliances and concealed dangers, the pursuit becomes a relentless force—an echo from the past that threatens to shatter the fragile semblance of normalcy I so desperately sought.
Every shadow becomes a potential harbinger of danger. The streets, once a mundane backdrop, transform into a maze where safety is elusive, and the pursuit is relentless. Is there just the one Scarlet Viper after us? Other cars? Others on foot?
Have I doomed Vinnie and I both all in the name of freedom?
ten
As Vinnie and I navigate the labyrinth of the city, a sinister game of cat and mouse unfolds. The echoes of pursuit reverberate through the narrow alleyways, casting a pall of tension over the clandestine dance that has become my life.
Vinnie glances over his shoulder again. "We need to lose them, Olivia."
His words, a solemn acknowledgment of the danger that shadows our every step, become the backdrop to our desperate flight. The city, once a refuge, transforms into a maze where danger lurks around every corner.
In the harsh light of day, shadows take on a different form, casting their subtle presence amidst the glaring sunlight. While not as pronounced as in the cloak of night, shadows persist, creating a nuanced interplay of light and darkness.
Tall structures cast elongated shadows across the streets, sidewalks, and alleys, providing patches of shade that can be both a refuge and a potential hiding spot. Pedestrians and vehicles moving through the city create fleeting shadows as they traverse the sunlit streets. In the bustling urban environment, these shadows become transient, reflecting the constant ebb and flow of city life.
Overhanging awnings and canopies from shops and buildings create sheltered areas, offering a break from the direct sunlight. These spots can be strategic for evading detection or seeking a momentary respite.
The leaves of trees and other foliage create dappled shadows on the pavement, adding a natural element to the urban landscape. Parks and green spaces become a contrasting canvas of sunlight and shade.
Street furniture, lamp posts, and various urban objects cast shadows, contributing to the intricate patterns that decorate the cityscape. These elements can provide cover or obstacles in the ongoing pursuit.
