The Final Explosion

I left them behind and went searching for the leader of this gang. Everyone around me was fighting for someone like me, and at that moment, everything flashed before my eyes.

"How did I reach this point?!"

A criminal, a killer, a man who couldn't even have a normal childhood...

I saw a door surrounded by flames and instantly realized that the man I was searching for must be hiding there. Without hesitation, I kicked it open, stepped inside, and locked it behind me.

It was a vast space, my voice echoing with every breath. Suddenly, from the shadows, he emerged—the wretched leader of the Bloodz.

"Welcome, Shadow," he greeted me. "Now, it's just you and me. We can fight… a brutal fight. But first, let me reveal my face."

I stood before him, seething with rage. Slowly, he lifted his mask… and what I saw shook me to my core.

It was Lord Cromer.

"You…!" I gasped, my voice trembling. "Why did you do this?! Why did you kill my father and force me to live in this nightmare?!"

He chuckled darkly. "Did you really think your parents were good people? No, they were my pawns, my slaves. They killed under my command."

"You… you're a monster!" I spat.

Cromer laughed hysterically. "And what about you, little Shadow? Do you think you're good and innocent? Killing, stealing, running from the police, forming a gang—is that righteousness? No, boy, you're just like me now."

"I am nothing like you, you bastard!" I shouted.

Cromer smirked. "Do you think I'm alone? There's someone who wants to welcome you first. If you manage to kill him, then you can face me."

A figure emerged from another door, clad in red. Slowly and hesitantly, he removed his mask… and in a swift motion, the truth was revealed.

I was struck with another devastating shock.

It was Joey.

The man who had trained me, cared for me, and always supported me. My mentor. My friend.

Tears welled in my eyes. "Why… why, Joey? How could you betray my father? Your dearest friend?"

Joey's face twisted with anger. "Did you really think I ever liked your father?! The story I told you about him—it was all a lie! You're a fool, Shadow. Cromer and I have been watching you all along. I killed your uncle. Cromer and I killed your father. Now fight me!"

Joey charged at me, firing his gun as he ran. I sprinted toward him, dodging the bullets. He swung at my face, but I ducked under his arm, tripping him with my foot. He crashed to the ground.

Panic filled his eyes as he scrambled to strike me again, but he was too slow. I pinned him down, aiming my gun at his head, ready to pull the trigger—

But then, she ran in.

A girl, around my age, burst through the door. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed toward us, pleading desperately.

"Please, Shadow! Please… don't kill my father! He's wrong, but forgive him! I beg you! You always told my dad that you wanted to be a hero!"

I growled through gritted teeth. "Not anymore."

I tightened my grip on the trigger. She screamed—

And then… I remembered.

I remembered my father and mother being killed before my eyes. How Cromer had mercilessly slaughtered them. How their deaths had left me in an endless abyss of suffering. My entire childhood stolen from me.

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't do it.

I lowered my gun.

Joey's daughter stared at me, a mix of shock, fear, and relief in her eyes. She ran to her father, and he held her tightly.

Cromer, still standing in the shadows, sneered. "Why didn't you kill them, you fool?"

"You could have ended it all, but instead, you cry like a weakling?"

Fury surged through me. I turned to him and shouted, "Shut up, you bastard! I won't kill a father in front of his daughter! I lived in hell after my parents were murdered. That's the difference between me and you, you wretched scum!"

I told Joey and his daughter to leave. Then, I spoke into my earpiece, instructing my Mafia to evacuate immediately—no questions asked. Without waiting for a response, I ripped the device out of my ear and threw it away.

The Mafia hesitated but eventually broke down the door and escaped.

From behind Cromer, dozens of Bloodz members emerged, their eyes locked on me.

Cromer's smirk turned into a furious glare.

I clenched my fists. "If I can't kill you alone, then we'll die together!"

From my pocket, I pulled out a banned international explosive—one that only I possessed. A ten-second countdown.

Tears streamed down my face.

I threw away my weapon and ran straight at Cromer.

"One second left."

I closed my eyes. The bomb was in my hand. I stood face-to-face with Cromer.

Then—

BOOM.

The explosion shook the earth, consuming me, Cromer, and the entire Bloodz gang in its deadly blaze.

The blast sent my Mafia flying to the ground outside. They screamed in horror, unable to stop it. Tears streamed down their faces as they ran, crying and shouting my name.

My fate was sealed.

But at last… I was with my father and mother again.

It had been a long wait—seeking revenge, longing to see them again.

The Mafia continued without me, growing stronger, becoming one of the most wanted syndicates in the world.

They never forgot me.

And so, this is the tragic end.

Too many had died because of me. My best friends had perished because of me.

And in the end…

I killed myself.

---End of Mafia: Part One!---

Part Two coming soon... Stay tuned.