Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

Naples was quiet that morning. A gray mist slid down from the rooftops of old buildings, wrapping the streets like a sorrow that hadn’t yet receded. Javier stood in the doorway of an abandoned house, where, according to his informant, Sofia was supposed to have died. His gaze scanned the floor — where the blood should have been. But it wasn’t there. Only scratches on the wooden boards, traces of dust, and a hollow silence. “This doesn’t… feel right,” he muttered. Behind him, Luca stopped, wearing a dark coat and gloves. He examined the room carefully. “Maybe the body was already removed,” he suggested. “Or someone deliberately cleaned everything up.” Javier leaned down, touching the floor. “There isn’t a drop of blood, Luca. Not even the scent. And if Lorenzo really did what he told Alicia… why leave everything here so clean?” “Do you think he lied?” “I don’t know. But something’s off.” Javier stood, his expression darkening. “We didn’t find a single witness. No camera footage, no confirmation. Just Alicia’s words.” Luca crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe she’s manipulating you. Giving you what you wanted to hear: Sofia is dead. But in reality…” Javier slowly turned to him. “In reality… she’s alive?” “Could be.” Javier remained silent for a long moment. A pang struck his chest — painful, unbearable. He tried to bury hope, but it kept rising again. “If she’s alive…” he said hoarsely, “then I’ll find her. Even just to look into her eyes.” Luca nodded. “Then we start with Lorenzo. He’s the key to all of this.” --- The Milanese evening was surprisingly calm. The streets of the old city were bathed in soft golden lamplight, and Sofia and Lorenzo walked through narrow alleys, savoring a quiet rarely found in their world. “Strange how Milan feels safe,” she said, inhaling air scented with coffee and spring pollen. “It’s just an illusion,” Lorenzo replied, “but sometimes even illusions are necessary.” She smiled, but at that moment his phone rang. Lorenzo took out his phone and glanced at the screen. His eyes narrowed. “Luca,” he muttered. Sofia felt her tension return. “Take it,” she said quietly. “I’ll step back a little.” Lorenzo nodded and moved aside, holding the phone to his ear. “Hello?” “Lorenzo,” Luca’s voice was sharp, with a metallic edge, “where are you right now?” Lorenzo stopped near an old stone wall, where the faint light barely touched his face. “In Palermo. At my parents’,” he replied calmly. “Are you sure?” Luca couldn’t hide his distrust. “Because Javier just returned from that house. And you know what? There’s no body, no blood. No trace, as if no one had died there.” “I did everything as instructed,” Lorenzo replied dryly. “Sofia… is dead. I carried out the order.” “Then why isn’t there a body?” “I don’t know,” his voice was firm. “Someone else was supposed to remove it. I did my part. Left. Saw nothing more.” “That looks suspicious. He suspects you, Lorenzo. And if he finds out she’s alive…” “She’s dead,” Lorenzo interrupted, slightly clenching his fist. “That’s all you need to know.” Silence fell on the other end. Then Luca spoke softly, almost whispering: “Javier won’t let this go easily.” “I haven’t believed in ‘easily’ for a long time.” Lorenzo pressed the red button to end the call and slowly exhaled. “Everything okay?” Sofia asked from behind. “Yes. Just… an old story,” he replied, returning to her with a faint smile. They continued walking, dissolving into the soft dusk of Milan, leaving behind the shadow of yet another secret. They walked in silence for a few more minutes when Lorenzo suddenly stopped. Anxiety appeared in his eyes — one he could no longer hide. “We need to talk,” he said. Sofia looked at him warily. “Did something happen?” “The call was from Luca. They suspect something with Javier.” “What exactly?” “They were in that house, where it was all supposed to happen. And they found no body, no drop of blood. It all looked as if you were never there.” Sofia froze. Her breathing became shallow. “And what did he say?” “Javier doesn’t believe you’re dead. He… feels something’s wrong. Luca’s nervous too. They’re both digging deeper.” “You said that…” “I’m keeping everything under control,” he interrupted. “I said I did my part, and someone else was supposed to take the body. That I know nothing. But that won’t last long. They won’t stop.” Sofia looked away, clenching her fists. “So… it all starts over again.” “We still have a little time. But not much.” She gave a bitter smile. “The illusion of safety — that’s what this Milan evening really is, isn’t it?” Lorenzo silently nodded. “But we can still gain some advantage. If we act carefully.” “Alright,” she said quietly. “We need to get ahead of them. Again.” --- The chandelier’s light softly fell on the wooden table in the dining room. Sofia sat across from her father, looking at him over a cup of tea. She had tried for the second time that evening to speak about the future when Albert’s phone vibrated on the table. He slowly picked it up, glancing at the screen. Furrowed brows. An unfamiliar number. “Excuse me,” he muttered to Sofia, pressing the answer button. “Hello?” “Good evening, Signore Ryland,” a clear voice said, with a faint Spanish accent. “My name is Javier Rodriguez. I… was your daughter Sofia’s boyfriend.” Albert tensed. His gaze instantly locked with Sofia, who froze. “I’m listening,” he replied coldly. “Lorenzo killed her… on Alicia Rosetto’s orders. Did you know about this?” A short pause. “Yes,” Albert said, his voice steady. “But there are inconsistencies,” Javier continued. “In the house where it happened, there was neither a body nor blood. My people… are beginning to suspect she might be alive.” Albert gritted his teeth. “She is dead,” he said calmly. “And if you want to believe in illusions — that’s your right. But I know the truth.” “Are you sure you’re hiding nothing?” Javier’s voice was almost pleading. “Nothing,” Albert replied coldly. “Good evening, Signore Rodriguez.” He pressed the button to end the call and set the phone on the table. Silence filled the room. Sofia stared at her father. “You didn’t have to…” “I had to,” he cut her off. “If he knew… everything could have collapsed. Now we have a little time.” She nodded. Her heart was racing. “But he’s looking for me, Dad. And he won’t stop.” Albert looked at her seriously: “And we won’t let him find you.” --- The Milanese sky had turned gray, hiding the sun behind a thin veil of clouds. In the courtyard of the Ryland family estate, Lorenzo’s suitcases were already in the trunk of a black sedan. He stood by the driver’s door, and Sofia faced him, arms crossed. “Are you sure we need to go back right now?” she asked, avoiding his gaze. “If I stay longer, Alicia will start suspecting something. We have to keep the game contained.” Lorenzo looked at her. “But I’ll stay in touch, Sofia. Every day. And as soon as it’s safe — we’ll decide together when you return to Naples.” Sofia silently nodded, clenching her fingers into fists. “I don’t want you risking yourself again for me, Lorenzo.” “I already did,” he said softly. “And I don’t regret it.” He leaned toward the door but stopped when Sofia stepped forward and hugged him tightly. He froze for a moment, then pressed her back in return. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For saving me.” “Take care, Sofia,” he whispered into her hair. She stepped back, and he got into the car. The engine roared to life, and the car slowly left the courtyard, leaving Sofia alone in the springtime streets of Milan — with a hundred thoughts and one secret love, still waiting for its time.