Vittoro Falcone

Angelina was not an ordinary creature. She was a hybrid fennec fox, small with large ears and a fluffy tail. Since the day she was born, she had been sold at auctions, kept as a pet by many who had little regard for her feelings. She could never show who she really was because the fear of what humans would do to her if they found out was far too great. She remained in her cage, huddled up, avoiding the eyes of those who now gathered around her. The dim light of the auction house flickered as men in expensive suits walked by; their laughter echoed like a cruel song. Angelina kept her head down, her heart racing, as she listened to their whispers. She often heard how they enjoyed the power they held over creatures like her. Every time someone looked at her, she flinched. She didn’t want to remember the cruel hand that punished her for being different. Tonight, her owner, a man with a rough face and a sneer, was getting low on cash. He had decided to put Angelina up for auction again. The excitement in the air felt suffocating, and she shivered in her cage. She curled tighter, her large ears perked up as she heard the loud bang of the cage door being opened and closed around her. Then a man stepped forward. He was tall, with dark hair and sharp features. The dim light captured the kindness in his eyes, surprising Angelina. She wanted to believe he was different. She slowly took a step forward, almost forgetting her fear. But just then, her owner slammed the cage loudly, making her jump back. “Don’t get too close, Mr. Falcone. She bites,” her owner said, chuckling as if it were a joke. Vittorio Falcone, a known mafia boss, merely smiled. Angelina watched him closely, seeing a depth in his gaze that made her heart stir. There was something warm about him that felt safe. The other men laughed, but Mr. Falcone kept his eyes on her, an understanding passing between them.