El Dorado.

Chapter two.

Eight years later… El Dorado.

The streets were not safe as they thought. It was a scaring moment for civilians and other mob members who were not strong enough to fight their opponents.

In the city of El Dorado, one can never tell when he would be hit. It could come from someone you trusted all your life. Its cost just few dollars or words been uttered by a Capo.

Down one of the naked streets, was seen a beautiful lady.

She walked carefully with her eyes left and right, ready to run if any strange thing or person comes after her. What she had learnt in this new city they moved to was that, anytime a situation comes, it was better to run than face it. Even if it was just a street fight between bullies, it was advisable to run so that one doesn't get cut in it.

But if a person to decides to stay, he ends up getting hurt or killed. If the gang members didn't take him away, then it was enough luck. The cops will surely do.

This morning, Isabella went to get food stuff from the grocery store with the little money she had. After what happened with the loan sharks eight years ago, she learnt to stay away from anything that has to do with fights and debts.

Even though jobs were like finding a needle in the hay, she still struggled to look for a way to make decent money to cater for her younger ones.

The payment for working as a part time cleaner at Penn house was not enough but she could manage and look for another job… Which seemed impossible for now.

Miguel was an asshole that she was sure of. If not for his lousy mouth and foolish claims, she would have found a good job years ago.

He claimed that her father still owe him a lot of money. His name and signature were in the book he showed to her.

Isabella knew she had to pay for these debts before they come for her. Even though he insisted, he was the generous of all her debtors.

He never came for their blood except his money.

Isabella knew he been patient all these years. He spared their lives. However, he did not stop to linger around them. Miguel claimed that her parents worked for his boss many years ago. They borrowed millions of dollars and never paid back.

Now, they were going to pay…no!

She was going to pay because none of her siblings looked like they could pay the loan sharks. Julian was still dealing with his mental health after that night. The evil men who butchered her parents let him go. Of course, he looked like a child of a three years. They left immediately and she took him back to the room.

It was an agony. He saw everything and went silent for years. After a lot of Medical attention, he began to talk again even though he uttered a few words and isolated himself. He had no friends and stay up in his room all day.

"Buy news paper, ma" A young boy of thirteen asked her. He was standing very closed to the road that led to her house.

"No, thanks."

"Please…" He insisted.

She looked behind her and there was no one. It was silly for her to be scared of a small boy but in this city, what a boy of thirteen years could do, will shock a man of fifty from another city.

Tightening her hand on the nylon, she walked faster than usual. When the boy started following her, she increased her pace.

It was like a race of death. She ran for life until she stopped in front of her door. The building which they now call their home, belonged to her aunt who passed away six years ago. She left them with this building and it was the best gift ever after that bloody night.

"Open the door, " She stopped ringing the bell and began to bang the door. The boy following her stopped when he saw a few cops walking across the street. He ran off like a rat who just saw a cat.

Isabella was relieved. She placed her hand on her chest and sighed "God, you are my only hope."

"Don't tell me you are coming back from the church, Bella" a slim girl opened the door. Her beautiful smile changed the expression on Isabella's face.

"Of course not, Rosa" she widened the door and entered the house. It was not as big and beautiful like the other houses, but it was their home. A place of their own.

Isabella dropped the nylon in the kitchen and headed back to the living room. After been chased by a boy, she barely had strength to argue with her younger sister.

She sat in the chair and relaxed. They have gotten food today and even tomorrow.

The salary was paid to her but her employer told her to stop working. He did not want to invoke the wrath of Miguel.

Isabella wondered if he was some god. People in El Dorado feared him so much. Rosa would say 'the fear of Miguel is the beginning of wisdom.' He was Capone of his mafia family. Everyone was scared of him.

"Bella, do not tell me that he was after you again?," Rosa lit the gas and put a frying pan. She was going to make breakfast for the family. Cooking was her favorite habit. Their mother was a great chef. The opportunity to learn from her was seized by death, however she was glad it was Isabella who taught her to cook. It was a wonderful experience.

"Miguel?" Isabella asked, loosing the hair tie on her head. "Not at all. It's just some hungry boy. I got rid of him, don't worry."

"I think we should get a licensed gun. It's not easy to live in a scaring city like this," Rosa said as she continued to attend to her food. She added onions and garlic. "Miguel on the other hand. Our parents' murderers are out there living their lives…meanwhile, we are here trying hard to survive. It's not fair at all. This isn't justice, Bella."

She let out a sigh and laid on the sofa. Her sister was right. As long as their parents murderers were alive, peace will never come to them. Isabella had promised to avenge them. She just needed time to plan every thing so that at the end of the day, she would not endanger the lives of her siblings.

"Where is Julian?" she asked and Rosa pointed upstairs. Just as expected, he was alone upstairs. "Thank God. I will call the doctor with the little money, I …"

She could not finish her sentence because of the loud bang on the door. Isabella wondered why the bell was not used by the visitor.

With frustration, she stood up from the sofa and went to the door. She looked through the transparent glass. It was the last person she wanted to see right now, not even later.

"Who is it?" Rosa asked with fear in her eyes. She held to the napkin tight. El Dorado was a city of fear. Its was better to fear than not to, because one does not know when something will hit from behind.

Isabella rolled her eyes even though she was afraid "Mi-Miguel!"