Chapter 5: Secrets

As Gelato walked down the street away from the Godfather's house, he saw a group of kids his age in the alleyway next to the street, brooding over the new green ties they got. Then when they saw him, they walked away. Gelato managed to catch some of the things they were saying to each other:

"Isn't that the orphan kid?"

"It looks like he didn't pass the initiation test."

"What a loser! He'll never become part of the Foglia family, because nobody loves him!"

That last word stung Gelato's heart, and he ran as fast as he could up the fire-escape on the apartment a little ways from his home, and onto the edge of the roof where he sat down and watched the people walking up and down the street below him. The sun was at its high-point, and the heat made Gelato flinch, but he didn't care. Then a pair of footsteps caught his attention, and he looked up. It was Mezzaluna, standing over him.

"I'm sorry about the test, Gelato," Mezzaluna said, smiling in a friendly manner.

Gelato didn't say anything, and looked away while Mezzaluna sat down next to him.

"What Delfino said was harsh, but he has his reasons. Like you, he was an orphan as well. His parents both died fighting the nine-headed serpent when it attacked our neighborhood twelve years ago, and was left to fend for himself. He was so lonely, and craved people's attention, so he became a prankster, just like you did, but every night, he cried himself to sleep, which I imagine you do too."

"What I do privately is none of your goddamn business! Now what are you really here for?"

"So you noticed," Mezzaluna chuckled. "Actually, I came to offer you something that might help you get in favor with Delfino, so he can initiate you into the family."

Gelato's face lit up. "What is it?"

"Well, I don't have it on me, but if you can get it, that would be helpful."

Later that night, when the crescent moon was rising over the Godfather's house, all was quiet except for the shuffling of Gelato's feet. He bypassed the guards posted at the front gate without much difficulty, thanks to a new spell that he invented himself. After unlocking the front door using a lock pick, he stepped into the parlor, and was about to make a right into the study when he noticed the Godfather sitting in there, reading a book with some reading glasses. He didn't seem to have heard the door opening.

With firm hands, Gelato made various hand-signs in concentration, and then he whispered, "Transfiguration: Mafia P***y (Transformation: Ninja Centerfold)!"

The blood running out the Godfather's nose was enough proof to show that he performed the spell correctly, and giggled with a girlish voice as the Godfather fainted. Then in a flash, Gelato was back to normal. He searched the bookshelves, until he came to an old book covered in green leather with alchemic symbols on the cover. He put it into the knapsack that Mezzaluna gave him, and sneaked out through the open garden window.

As the Mafia men started swarming the house, Gelato was far away, running through a maze of alleys and streets until he came to a junkyard that was situated next to the railway line. It used to be his favorite play-spot when he was little, but now used it to seek seclusion from everyone else. Leaping over the fence with no problem, he walked over to a smooth patch of dirt, and sat down. The title of the book was The Forbidden Bestiary written in gold letters on the spine. Then Gelato turned to the table of contents, and his eyes widened when he saw the title "How to create multiple Homunculi" and flipped to it.

After reading the chapter, he started to practice it, and his practice was interrupted when Delfino came up behind him and grabbed him by the hood of his jacket again. An angry grin came across Delfino's face. "I thought I'd find you here, Gelato! You don't know how much trouble you're in right now!"

"But what did I do wrong? Mezzaluna told me to take it!" Gelato said nervously.

"Mezzaluna? You're not lying, are you?" Delfino's grip tightened.

"No, it's true!"

Then Delfino let go of him, and Gelato showed the book.

"Mezzaluna said if I memorized this book, I could learn some cool spells that'll make you have to convince the Godfather to let me join the family."

"Gelato, do you realize what you have in your hands?"

"Isn't it an alchemy book? I've already memorized a spell in here, and I can't wait to show it to you!"

"Not right now, Gelato! That book is—

A series of gunshots fired nearby, and Delfino quickly threw Gelato to the side as a bullets grazed his arms and legs, causing him to fall back into a pile of rubble. Then out of the shadows, Mezzaluna appeared holding a silver pistol in front of him and a Tommy gun strapped to his back. His grin was malicious.

"It's a good thing I got here in time. Otherwise, Delfino would have tried to steal the book from you."

"But why would he have tried to take it?" Gelato said, fighting the tears.

"Deep inside, he hates you."

"What reason does he have to hate me? Sure I've pulled pranks and don't listen to him from time to time—

"No, no, he doesn't hate you for those petty reasons. It's something about you personally, and everyone knows about it except for you."

"No…don't tell him, please," Delfino muttered, trying to stand up.

"It was a pact that was made twelve years ago, and it's the reason why nobody hangs around you."

"Mezzaluna, stop!"

"That nine-headed serpent that attacked our neighborhood…is inside you."

Gelato couldn't believe his ears. His hands went numb and the scale-marks on his cheeks now felt colder than before.

End of Chapter 5