[color=silver][center] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210825/e75b48178ade0514b14c64b000c7ba30.png[/img] [color=dimgray]____________________________________________________________________ [img]https://i.imgur.com/dVa7p0I.png[/img] ____________________________________________________________________[/color][/center] [indent]Having hidden herself behind a trash bin by the shed, a distance away from the group, who surrounded the picnic table, Sofia Belmonte, eldest daughter of Caterina Belmonte, was knelt down listening in to everything, noiselessly chewing her gum. She was curious about the mysterious letters not because she cared for Allison and how she died, but because deep down, she had a few... theories... about members in her family. She hoped to see these theories with her own eyes. She hoped to know things, especially about her family who were all full of secrets. Part of her wanted to unravel these secrets so she could freely live her life. Part of her knew some secrets had teeth and were best left alone. Still... she wanted to know. If she had answers, especially how involved her uncle or aunt were with the people on the other side of the train tracks, maybe her parents wouldn't care that she had a group of friends here. That she [i]liked[/i] someone from the southside. That she felt like her family could make a difference, if they got out of their comfort zone and chose to fight the system instead of play their roles this little town gave them. Sure, her grandpa was understanding but he didn't do anything to make [i]change[/i]. Everyone in this town sits idle until shit hits the fan and when shit does go batshit? It's already too late. As much as she loved her grandpa, he was an old dog, stuck in his ways. There was this boy named Creed that Zia Natalia brought home a couple years back. He seemed to be the only exception, or maybe it was because that southie boy was upfront about his intentions. Regardless of the reasons, Sofia knew convincing her grandpa to think differently was a [i]project[/i] and took more effort than not to get his blessings. As a Belmonte, getting grandpa's blessing was everything. He sweat and bled for them, so disrespecting him only led to a series of unfortunate events. Sofia also knew her grandpa had anger issues, that he kept buried deep down, hidden under "kindness". Nothing good came from lying to grandpa. She felt like it was her duty to keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood, for the safety of her family and because really, any place was better than home right now. Of course, that was likely horseshit because she also just found intrigue in knowing other people's businesses. Blame her mom for that one. [color=56877b]"I spy with my little eye a little girl in a place she does not belong."[/color] [color=a22d2e]"What...?"[/color] Sofia turned around, only to fall back out of shock, seeing a person peering from inside the shed. The woman's eyes glinted from the flickering fluorescent outdoor light, hanging above the shed door. [color=C652D5]“You call yourself a man? You’re a coward and murderer and I’m gonna watch you burn in hell for what you did!”[/color] Accidentally, Sofia's back hit the trash bin causing it to almost tip over, making the wheel slightly screech. Thankfully, everyone was distracted by Mei Midnight going berserk. The woman met the sixteen year old at eye level, tactfully slipping out the shed door and crouching down. Out of sight, out of mind. With no hesitation, the strange acquaintance handed the naïve Belmonte child a small coin envelope. [color=56877b]"How did I know I'd find you here?"[/color] [color=a22d2e]"I don't know... you're kind of stalkery, Miss A."[/color] Sofia felt sweat dripping down from her forehead as her soft, wide stare failed to look away from those sharp, serpent-like eyes. Those terrifying, forbidding eyes. Looking into this woman's intimidating gaze, a woman she only knew as "A", she couldn't help but feel frightened. She brushed these feelings off with protest, [color=a22d2e]"Can you not call me little girl? I'm sixteen."[/color] [color=56877b]"I call you little girl because your eyes are still like child. You shouldn't be out with no one,"[/color] the blonde woman she didn't know anything about never moved from her stance and never looked away. Miss A kept still and rooted to the ground, as if nothing could push her over even if they wanted to. Without this woman, Sofia wouldn't have discovered quite a few things, like finding out what her father was up to in New York, since her mother for some reason protected his image and yet drank her nights away. When her parents were together, the house felt barren, cold, and unwelcomed. It didn't feel like a home. Not a home she wanted to be a part of. When they were apart, things were simple and she got away with murder. A life she was starting to get used to. [color=wheat]“Put the gun down, Reynaldo!”[/color] Sofia turned her attention back to the crowd, seeing Mr. Beau had entered the picture, trying to diffuse the heated situation. [color=56877b]"You should leave little girl."[/color] This was the last thing Sofia heard before turning back and noticing the woman she worked for was gone. Hurriedly, she rushed to a bush for cover, away from the shed, right when Reyrey looked at it, lost in a dark memory. Deeply sighing, she took a peek in the envelope to see a stack of cash. Smiling to herself, she felt satisfied with the information she gathered and crawled her way out of the backyard of 13 Carlise Ave, finding the rip in the wired gate. Slipping out unnoticed, she walked a few blocks, making sure she left the southside as quick as she came, before grabbing her phone to call her mom. With a twist of truth of who told her about what transpired this night, Sofia was prepared to spill the beans to one of the most gossipy people Edenridge has ever come to know. The curious Cat of Edenridge. Like mother, like daughter. Amiright?[/indent][/color]