The Murderous Will

Misunderstandings can lead to deadly mistakes

This story was written in response to Jonathon Sawyer’s Monday Mash-up #32. Thank you for a fun prompt!

A cosy fire crackled behind Mr Balotelli. But shivers cascaded down his spine as he shared the dining table with the Carbone family.

The Carbone family became pioneers of magic overnight after discovering a blue, mystical substance hidden within the rocks of an abandoned mine.

But with humble beginnings came the corrupting taste of privilege.

Raul Carbone, the eldest, flexed his veiny muscles. His physique was the instrument of success for his Natural Fitness regime until his use of magic steroids was leaked.

Fabrizio Carbone, the second-eldest, polished his glasses in the manner of one sharpening a blade. His calculative nature enabled him to trade and invest magic, keeping the company afloat.

Ginevra Carbone, the youngest, argued over the phone, insulting the customer who wanted magic-free hair products before ending the call with a deafening scream.

All eyes pinned on him.

Finishing his water, Mr Balotelli began. “Thank you all for coming. I’m sorry this is happening so soon after Mr Carbone Sr’s funeral yesterday. I can’t imagine how grief-stricken you all must be.”

The three siblings stared expectedly at him.

Mr Balotelli sighed. “Very well.” He unfolded the crisp will. “Mr Raul Carbone…”

Raul straightened up.

“Mr Carbone Sr has given you his most prized possession…”

Mr Balotelli disappeared under the table and emerged with a polished baseball bat embellished with scrawny signatures. “His baseball bat signed by the entire Magetastic team. He asks that you polish it three times a day.”

Raul held the bat in his hands. “That’s it? I’m the eldest! Why didn’t he make me his successor?”

Ginevra smirked. “Father was a clever man. Who else would he entrust his empire to than the daughter with her own successful business?”

Mr Balotelli gave her a solemn look. “I’m afraid your case isn’t different, Miss Ginevra Carbone. Mr Carbone Sr has written that since you always boast about how successful your salon is, he has left you nothing.”

Ginevra protested, but Fabrizio cut in.

“What about me, Mr Balotelli?”

Mr Balotelli scanned the will. “You will have possession of Mr Carbone Sr’s pets. They have been spellbound to follow you as their master.”

Fabrizio rose. “This can’t be right! Are you sure this is Father’s will?”

Ginevra glared at Fabrizio. “You lied to us! You said that Father promised us all shares in the company! Because of you, the Carbone empire is finished!”

“Not quite. There is a new successor,” Mr Balotelli interrupted.

“Who?” The three shouted in unison.

Footsteps descended into the dining area.

The three turned in their seats.

A young man and woman walked in.

“Nic? Allegria? Why are you both not in your uniforms?” Fabrizio demanded.

Nic sat in the head chair. Allegria stood beside him with a smug smile.

Raul shot out of his seat. “Him?! Our mute driver is the new successor? Has Father gone senile?”

Mr Balotelli cleared his throat. “Nic is Mr Carbone Sr’s firstborn, so rightfully, the empire is his. You all should be thankful to him. If it were not for his mother discovering magic’s origin, you would not be living in luxury.”

Raul scoffed. “How do we know if that’s even-”

Nic threw a leather journal embossed with Rosannah Carbone’s name onto the table.

Fabrizio snorted at Nic. “So you blackmailed him into giving you the empire. You don’t deserve it. Magic needs to be spoken. Not-”

Nic slammed his hand on the varnished table. Vines shot out, tying Fabrizio into his chair. He struggled against his restraints.

Nic signed with his hands. Allegria translated.

Magic runs in my veins while you snort it.

It was my mother’s dying wish that I protect the father I never met from the vipers that surrounded him. I became his driver, and then his son when he recognised me. But I couldn’t protect him… because you all killed him.

“What are you talking about? Father died because of an accident,” Ginevra countered.

Nic retrieved a tape recorder from his pocket. He clicked the play button. Static filtered in before voices played out.

“Father is dissolving his empire,” Fabrizio revealed.

“What?” Ginevra said.

“I just heard him talking to Mr Balotelli. He’s not giving us shares anymore. He wants to give everyone free access to magic!”

“What do we do?” Raul chipped in.

“We can’t have Father change his will. He’ll be making his routine check at the factory today. We’ll talk some sense into him.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

Fabrizio paused. “Factories are dangerous places. I wouldn't want Father to have an accident.”

Nic stopped playing the tape.

You killed him for a will that was already written. And now, you’ll pay.

Panicked, Raul snatched the recorder and threw it into the fire. A pop sounded, followed by a sizzle.

Nic grinned. He retrieved another recorder from his pocket and inserted another tape.

Infuriated, Fabrizio pounded his head onto the table. He raised his face, the thick frame of his glasses cracked. Blue powder trickled onto the table.

With a smirk, he inhaled the powder and broke free of his shackles. As he chanted a dagger into existence, Allegria retrieved a party cracker from her pocket and pulled.

An eruption of confetti flooded the siblings.

Nic squeezed Mr Balotelli’s glass, melting and crafting it into a whip.

With a powerful snap, Nic sent Raul, Fabrizio and Ginevra flying. They collided with the front door and rolled down the concrete steps. They stopped before a group of police officers.

As the siblings were dragged away, Nic examined Allegria for any wounds.

Allegria caressed his cheek, shaking her head.

With a relieved smile, Nic kissed her hand.

Mr Balotelli coughed behind them. “Congratulations, Mr Carbone Jr. I look forward to seeing the future you create.” He shook Nic’s hand and left.

Nic and Allegria stood at the threshold of the Carbone empire. Breaking the network of the privileged would not be easy. But now, Nic controlled all magic. His father’s wish will be fulfilled.

Points tally:
Main theme - 2 Points
Nic becomes the head of the family.
Constraints - 4 points
A Baseball bat
A ton of confetti
An improvised weapon (the glass whip)
A leather object (the journal)
Hardcore constraint - 2 points
Nic is permanently mute. 
Literary device - 5 points
Outline a classic hero's journey that may or may not be completed
(Call to adventure, crossing the threshold, the ordeal)
Tallying my points in a box - 1 point

Total points: 14 points

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