Carnem Levare Read Online Free PDF Page B

made cut through her son’s heart. She shred
and tormented, unaware of what was at stake. While the four women
stood clear across the room, his mother sat at the table with her
back facing him. Stefano lunged for her. His fingers pressed down
into her shoulders. As he sunk into the silky fabric of her dress,
he felt empowered. With little fight, Stefano managed to elevate
her. The other women raced from the room. They knocked into one
another on the way out. Mrs. Bonaro swiped at her neck, screaming
as loudly as possible. Stefano’s fingers tightened around her neck.
She dangled from his grip, swatting at her invisible tormentor. The
more she fought, the weaker she became. Life faded, overcome by
darkness.
    “ Why do you make me hurt you,
Mama?” Stefano shouted. “Mama . . . Mama.” His words were swarmed
with guttural sobs. He felt her limbs weaken, and turned her around
to lift her chin.
    “ Stefano?”
    His finger moved.
    “ Mama? Do you see me?” He withdrew
his hands. It was too easy to manipulate her body. He tried to hear
a sound or sense some type of movement.
    But it was too late and she could not respond.
    *****
    Stefano’s mother’s death did not affect him as much
as losing Anastasia. But this was a pivotal point in his afterlife.
Killing Mrs. Bonaro made him realize that as a soul crossed over
from life to death, it was capable of connecting with immortal
beings.
    When he left his home, Stefano wandered through the
town. His head hung low, the outside world had little effect on
him. With nightlife came added tourists and increased frustrations.
Stefano wanted to trample into everyone, show them all that he
existed. But they were too caught up in enjoying life.
    Stefano strolled through his beautiful city. He
stood in the center of St. Mark’s Square, remembering the Ascension
Day ceremony his family had attended with Anastasia’s family.
Stefano thought back to Venezia’s marriage to the Adriatic Sea.
This not only symbolized their country’s union, to Stefano it also
solidified the union between the Bonaro and Soranzo families.
    “ Why?” Stefano shouted to the sky,
sobbing as he repeated this question again and again. He finally
dropped onto the ground and remained there. As the ceremonies came
to an end, Stefano faded back to nothingness.
     
    *****
     
Twentieth Century (Late Seventies)
     
    Since that first day, when he awoke face down in the
water, he returned to the scene every year on carnival until it was
banned just before the turn of the century. When the festivities
began once more, Stefano was awoken by its sounds as before. As the
visitors and locals readied themselves, he was brought back from
hell. Made to suffer without his one true love. Initially, Stefano
could not understand why his soul could not remain damned in the
pit. The first awakening was the most difficult. It was as though
he were called back from the dead, but only his spirit responded.
But as the years progressed, he learned to accept his time on
earth.
    Stefano was slowly being depleted. Though he was not
a huge fan of carnival, he still became violently jealous of the
men that walked around, flaunting lavish gold and black suits. He
even despised their majestic capes in tow. And he only continued to
wither away in the dingy clothing of his death.
    Stefano passed through alliances, angered at their
happiness. He strolled through the streets and buildings, longing
for true human interaction.
    No one even noticed when he paused beside the
gamblers and onlookers at play. Although he made it a point to mark
everyone, they easily dismissed the unknown. He moved with ease and
displayed the right type of manners. Yet whereas they all sought
total enjoyment from the merriment, he had a different kind of
need.
    Stefano needed reminders of his human life. Seeing
everyone’s joy only added to his frustration. Friends complimenting
one other . . . toasting rounds of potent spirits . . . exaggerated
laughter. The display was