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| In the Windy City Twilight | Started by: FrankCastiglia on Mar 04, '25 17:13 |
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Frank sat alone on a park bench near the abandoned building he used to spend his daytime journeys while in Chicago. Chicago was beautiful during the day but the nights…. It was the nights that Frank had become accustomed to. The life of a mafioso can sometimes be a lonely one. Of course you have your Mafia family, your associates, etc. But true companionship? That was something rare in “the life”. Frank had discovered just that very thing one winters trip to Chicago. It was early February, he recalled, when his plane from the big apple touched down on the runways of Orchard Field. If New York was a frigid wasteland, Chicago had to equate to the Arctic during that time of the year. Godfather SantoRubio had sent Frank to the Windy City to secure a fresh shipment of goats from the Chicago families’ Midwest livestock operation. It was Franks first big task since leaving the joint and he knew that his place within the family depended upon it. Santo had sent Frank with the name of a contact and an address. But what Frank would discover from this trip would be something more than he could have ever bargained for. As Frank day dreamed on the park bench, he recalled the first time he saw Shiki-. Chicago was in a haze of smog and sun beams dancing from the inside of cloudy skies. It was ominous to say the least. A kind of mystical ambiance was created as light fragments bounced from skyscrapers to the snow and ice that seemed to be part of the city instead of merely blanketing it. Frank remembered repeating to himself the instructions Santo had given him before departing New York. “Find the run down building at one hundred and three and ask the guard out front for a man named Shiki-.” Only, as Frank neared the abandoned building at one hundred and three he didn’t find just a security guard outside of a building. Instead he found the most fascinating game of baseball he had ever seen being played in the snow covered street in front of him. “CRRRRAAACCCCKKK” would echo from the surrounding buildings when one of their bats would make contact with the ball. The runners would blaze around the snow diamond they had carved out in the street at super human like speed. “CRRRRAAAACCCKKKKK” would come again as another one of the very pale, suit laden mobsters would make contact at their turn. Frank was speechless, motionless, at a complete loss at what he was seeing before him. Having just been old enough to have seen the Babe play for the Yankees as a kid, Frank had never witnessed baseball quite like this. The power, the speed, the unbelievable accuracy at never missing a ball. And then there he was. Something inside of Frank knew the moment he saw him. His very ambiance radiated something that Frank couldn’t quite put his finger on. As he approached the plate looking like he was somewhere between a dapper gentleman and death itself, he knew. This had to be the one he was here to find. As Frank anticipated the crack of the bat to reverberate from the buildings as the previous batters had occur, he noticed something. He had been spotted. As Frank watched the pitch leave the hand of the one who threw it, it was as if time stood still. This rapid take on baseball had now somehow slowed beyond understanding. Frank recalled the ball spinning in air for what seemed like an eternity as the cold eyes of the man he was there to meet had turned to him while the ball traveled. It was as if he could hear him in his soul. The screams of his stare echoed through Frank’s mind as he trembled in fear and possibly frostbite. “CRRRRAAACCCCKKKKK” came the hit, snapping Frank from his place of shock. Was he imagining this moment? Did he slip into an arctic coma? Did he remember to turn the stove off in his apartment? All these thoughts and more scattered through his mind as he tried to make sense of what he had just witnessed. He even questioned if he had truly saw what he had thought he saw. He was in a daze as the man he felt was Shiki- crossed back around to home plate. “That has to be some kind of record.” Frank thought to himself as he without realizing the first step noticed he was walking into the street towards the fellows playing on the frozen diamond. As Frank had securely reached with both feet the patch of snow and ice that covered the street he heard the sound of a loud bellowing horn. In his trance he had wandered into the street without realizing his surroundings. A large fish market truck was bellowing down on him as the driver couldn’t get the truck to stop on the slick city street. Frank remembered closing his eyes and accepting his fate. Only, it was a fate he was to never meet. A rush of cold encompassed his body, chilling him to his very bones. This was more than the frigid wind whipping through the city. It felt as if death had reached out and held him in its arms. But as Frank’s eyes opened, it wasn’t the pearly gates or the fiery pits he saw. It was the man he had known from somewhere deep within himself that had to be Shiki-. He was holding Frank in his arms with his back against the truck. Shielding him in a way, from the blow he was surely going to take his last breath from. Only, he was ok. Not only that but the man he felt was Shiki- was looking down at him asking if he were ok. How could this be? This type of accident would kill a normal person. Let alone the dent Frank saw in the front of the truck was akin to a traffic accident, or a tree, a tank, anything but a human? His hair was shaggy and jet black. The paleness of his skin was strange and caused his dark eyes and hair to stand out even more. He wasn’t the typical olive skinned mafioso he was accustomed to back in New York. Maybe that’s what this kind of cold did to a man from the old country? Shiki- had lifted Frank up as if his frail frame housed the strength of 10 men and stood him on his feet. “What…how…what the…” Frank recalled being speechless as he was escorted away by Shiki-. “Crazy drivers, right? You’re ok little dove. No need to worry, you’re safe now.” Frank remembers how he recognized quickly this accent didn’t sound like the typical Chicago accent. This, this was much older. “You’re Frank right?” Shiki- had said to him as they arrived safely in front of the run down building at one hundred and three. “Y-y-yeah. Santo sent-t me.” Frank remembers being confused, mystified, intrigued and most of all still shocked as he struggled to grasp what was going on around him. “Come on little dove, let’s go inside and meet the others. Then, we talk business.” Shiki- spoke as he led Frank inside. Frank remembered feeling powerless as if he had no choice or free will. It was like Shiki- could speak and his own body he was unable to control. Shiki- introduced Frank around the dark, candle lit grand room they had entered. Most notably a name he had seen in the papers and heard discussed as a major part in Chicago’s mafia scene, brent, who insisted his name only be pronounced in lower case form. Shiki- stayed very close as each introduction left Frank more uneasy. It were as if each face had a hunger in their eyes. An almost salivating look like when you visit Mama’s and she prepared her neighborhood famous ziti. “S…so about what happened, what exactly… what exactly did happen?” Frank recalls asking when the ones gathered had exhausted their introductions. “It’s Chicago in the snow little dove. You have to be careful. Luckily he hit a light post when I dove us to safety.” Shiki- explained as he perched on the third step of the large staircase in the center of the grand room. Despite its condition Frank could tell this building once would have been a grand hotel. “Why would big time mafioso hang out in a place like this instead of a more modern building full of life?” Frank remembers thinking to himself. But as he was feeling more himself within his own mind Frank was becoming frequently more focused on the task he had been sent here for. Godfather Santo had sent him here to procure more goats for their growing goat army but he couldn’t help but feel somehow drained. Maybe jet lag from the flight or the cold. Either way it was if Shiki- sensed it. “You must be tired from the journey little dove. Come, let me show you to your room. You can rest and refresh before we discuss things. Besides, soon night will begin to fall and Chicago can be a bit much at night for those who are… inexperienced.” Frank was too tired to stand up for himself. “What did he mean by inexperienced and why did the pale man’s voice bring comfort to him?” Frank reflected even now on the comfort he felt back then. The rooms were well kept and carried a much different vibe than the room downstairs. Beautiful red felt and black walls and curtains with a golden trinket here and there filled the room. It was truly beautiful but more gothic and eccentric than Frank was accustomed to. By this time night had fallen and the man, Shiki- appeared restless. “Make yourself comfortable little dove.” Shiki- spoke as two women entered the room scantly dressed and brought Frank an array of food and drink before bowing slightly before Shiki- and departing. “Indulge yourself and then rest. My friends and I have collections to make. You might say we do our best work at night.” Shiki- spoke as the first expression of a smile since Frank had met him came across his face. Frank was bewildered, but curious. How was this normal behavior for a mafioso? Why was his skin so cold? Why was every hand he shook so cold? What happened outside the building at one hundred and three earlier that day? But Frank knew he had a job to do. Despite the questions and fears that he had. After eating and drinking to his fill, Frank laid in the large bed which dominated his quarters and drifted fast asleep. “Awake now little dove.” Frank heard as he awoke startled. The room was pitch black and only the glow of candle fire held in Shiki-‘s hand illuminated enough of a glow that Frank could see who was in there with him. “Wh..what time is it?” Frank had asked, still reeling from the surprise of being startled awake. “Time, that I do not know little dove. But I believe it’s close to morning and there’s much for you to see today.” Shiki- retorted as he peaked out to the world from behind the curtain as if the conditions outside would give away the hour. “How did you sleep?” Shiki- asked as he turned back toward Frank who still lay under the covers in bed. “Well… actually…” Frank hadn’t given it much thought but now that he had, he found himself in shock at how amazing he felt. “Actually, I feel much better, rested, today. Yesterday was…” Frank trailed off as Shiki- interrupted. “Yesterday was yesterday. But today, today is a chance to live.” Shiki- said cryptically. “Arianna-, send the girls!” Shiki- bellowed before nodding toward Frank. “They will see you dressed and when you’re finished, I will show you Chicago. It is your first time, correct?” Shiki- said with a smirk. “Yes, but I can dress myself my friend. You have done enough, it’s ok.” Frank shyly spoke. He was not accustomed to having women to dress him. Shiki- laughed for the first time at Franks response. “Oh little dove, they’re not going to dress you, but they’ll get the blood flowing and when they’re finished you’ll be ready to start the day. Think of it as breakfast. It might be the best meal you’ll have all day.” Shiki- chuckled again as the doors came open and two women carrying a candle a piece entered the room. The women were adorned with black cloth that left nothing to the imagination as they approached each side of Franks bed and placed the candles on nightstands that sat both sides. “When you’re finished, I’ll be in the grand hall.” Shiki- spoke as he turned and left the room with the doors closing behind him. Frank remembered how weird this whole thing was. But, when in Rome? When he was finished… dressing… Frank exited the room in search of Shiki-. He had mentioned they would see the city but that wasn’t what Frank was here for. Godfather Santo would want good news and would want it by yesterday had Frank any news to share. “Alright, let’s talk business.” Frank sternly spoke when he arrived in the grand hall behind Shiki- who was facing in the opposite direction, his lips intertwined with the one they called Arianna- Shiki- stopped what he was doing and with a stroke of his hand upon her cheek sent Arianna- away. “You New Yorkers” Shiki- spoke as he turned toward Frank and wiped his mouth. “Always in a hurry. Business will come. But first, you must understand a few things about those in which you desire to do business with.” Shiki- spoke through a smirk. Before Frank could respond, like a blur he felt a rush or cold wind and they were outside. In front of the building at one hundred and three. Frank struggled to catch his breath. He was not used to this sensation and was unsure as to what happened. “Hold on tight little dove. You’re about to see Chicago in a way only a few ever will.” Shiki- spoke to him before another cold burst and suddenly they were on top of a nearby building. Frank panicked when they came to a stop. “What was this? How did he get here? Would someone know how to get ahold of him in Chicago if he hadn’t turned his stove off?” Franks mind and body felt as if both were in a spin cycle as he looked out over the city from a height he wasn’t expecting or comfortable with. The city was seemingly spinning or maybe it was him? One thing was missing however. And that was the man who must have brought him here. “Shiki-… wh.. what the hell? Where are you?” Frank cried out as he heard a chuckle behind him. “Don’t be afraid little dove. It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Shiki-spoke from his perched position on the side of the roof which had the most overcast. Frank turned toward him as he mustered up his courage while the realizations flooded his mind. “You're impossibly fast, and strong. Your skin is pale white and ice cold. Your eyes are black as night, and you speak like….like you're from a different time. I’ve not seen you eat or drink anything. You don't go out in direct sunlight... and that baseball thing…. How old are you?” Frank spoke as if he demanded answers to this puzzling situation. “Twenty two.” Shiki- responded sharply. “How long have you been twenty two?!” Frank demanded. “A while. I told you little dove, time is irrelevant.” Shiki- looked off over the city top as he spoke. “I know… I know what you are.” Frank spoke through crackling voice. “Say it! Out loud! Say it!” Shiki- demanded as he rose from his perched position. “You’re… you’re… a vampire…” Frank spoke with slight hesitation. “And are you afraid, little dove?” Shiki-responded as his steps closed the gap between he and Frank. “No…” Frank answered simply yet obviously unassured. “Then ask me the question you’re wanting to know… the most basic of questions… what do we eat?” Shiki- retorted frustratingly. “You… you won’t hurt me..” Frank responded as Shiki- was now close enough to him to grab his arm and with a cold rush the two darted off before coming to rest on top of a taller building with less haze. “You need to see what I look like in the sunlight!” Shiki- almost yelled angrily, again, from behind Frank. “This is why we don't show ourselves in the sunlight. People would know that we're different. That we’re not like other Italian immigrant mafioso’s. This is what I am!” Shiki- demanded as Frank turned toward him and was almost blinded by the sparkling light that radiated from Shiki-‘s body. “It's like diamonds. It’s… it’s…beautiful and I bet you would appraise for a lot!” Frank said both shocked and jokingly. “Beautiful? This is the skin of a killer, Frank. I'm a killer. A monster!” Shiki- spoke almost negatively of himself and looked out over the city. “A killer, I mean yeah. We all have business to do in this thing of ours. But a monster? You’re not a monster…” Frank felt at peace and comfortable as he spoke. “It's because you believe a lie! A camoflauge. I'm these streets most dangerous predator! Everything about me invites you in. My voice, my face, even my smell. As if I would need any of that. As if you could out travel me. As if you could win a duel against me!” Shiki-‘s voice came through angrily as he took a metal pole on top of the roof and bent it like a pretzel to show his strength. “I am designed to hunt and to kill!” Shiki- spoke as if trying to intimidate Frank. “I don’t care, I think it’s really badass!” Frank said excitedly. “But I’ve killed people before!” Shiki- retorted. “Yeah, again, we’re in the mafia! It kind of comes with the territory!” Frank said almost humorously. “I wanted to kill you, you know. The moment I smelled your blood yesterday. I wanted to rip out your throat and feast on your blood!” Shiki- seemingly held himself back as he got worked up. “But then you saved me. I trust you.” Frank responded calmly. “But, don’t.” Shiki- said as he turned his back to Frank. “I’m here to do business, I trust you.” Frank responded as he placed his left hand on Shiki-‘s shoulder from behind him. “My mafia family and brent’s, we're different than others of our kind. We only hunt inactives. We've learned to control our thirst. It's you. Your scent. It's like a drug to me. You’re like my own personal brand of heroin. I don’t know if it’s the pizza grease in your veins or the amount of olive oil you consume but I can’t help but want to drain you of your life force! Don’t you understand?!” Shiki- spoke as Frank took his hand off his shoulder and backed away. “If you wanted to kill me so bad and feast on my blood… why did you save me from the truck?” Frank asked fearfully. “I did it because I knew if I could resist the urge to feast on your blood that we could become best friends. Though I still don't know if I can control myself…” Shiki- spoke as he turned toward Frank. “I know that you can. I know we can be best friends…” Frank spoke as he held out his hand toward Shiki- to shake. “I can't read your mind. You have to tell me what you're thinking.” Shiki- spoke as he shook Franks hand. “That this is really awesome but I’m super fucking afraid of dying to a group of mafia vampires. I’m not going to lie.” Frank responded honestly. “Good” Shiki- said slyly as he held onto Franks hand and with another cold burst they moved at lightning pace down the building before coming to rest inside the grand room in the building at one hundred and three. “Now, now, we talk business.” Shiki- said as Frank collected his bearings and the rest of the vampire mafioso’s excitedly walked by and patted Frank on the back as they passed. As Frank sat on the park bench now, staring across the street at the building he couldn’t help but sigh. Frank did indeed reach a deal with the vampire mafia of Chicago to become a supplier of goats for Godfather SantoRubio. And in doing so ensured he would make many trips over the next month to Chicago where he would visit his friend Shiki- and the other vampire mafioso. But as good things often do, they had to come to an end. A vampire hunter eventually located the nest of the Chicago vampires and sent them to their eternal sleep. There would be no more flights along skyscrapers, no more wild parties that Frank would have to leave early because he was never turned and the guests would become a whole other type of dinner at a certain point. There was no more friendship or respect knowing the man, Shiki- could have ended his life at any time. He chose not to despite viewing himself as a monster. That to Frank was worth more than the thousands of dollars in his pocket. That to Frank, meant everything. And now, it was gone. Frank stood from the park bench. Nodded toward an invisible figure as if only he could see before he left to head back home to New York. |
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