Elijah
"What happened to you, mia sorellina?" I whisphered. She looked so pale for some reason. Her eyelids fluttered open, squinting. Relief flooded me as I grabbed her cold, veiny hand, pressing a gentle kiss to it.
"Hey honey, you feeling alright?" I said softly, knowing she'd be disorientated. Her whimpers answered for me so I rubbed her head, pressing down the wild baby hairs.
She looked around the room and I knew I'd have to explain. "Your okay, sweetheart, your okay." I continued to stroke her head. "You just had a seizure, so we came here to wait for you to wake up. We got you checked out and did some tests to make sure you're all good." I smiled sadly at her, as she tried to sit up.
"Here.." I helped her by pushing her pillow back and lifting her up by her armpits, putting her against the white pillow. She gave me a small smile in return but then confusion crossed her face and she sent me a questioning look. She probably was confused about how it happened.
"In the car, by the traffic, I think those flashing lights caused you to seize but I'm not one hundred percent sure. With the MRI scan we did earlier, we'll be able to tell. Something must have been triggered in your brain for the seizure to occur." Wow that sounded word-y, even for me. Maybe I should tone it down with the doctor talk.
She tried to speak but I stopped her, "And we found, Dr. Miller and I, serious burns in your mouth. Your throat appears to be peeling and dry. Would you like to tell me what happened, sweetheart?" I tried to coax her into telling me. I got my phone out and handed it to her.
She typed away, furisously. 'I drank something that was too hot. I burned my tongue, that's all.'
"Bella, your throat, not your tongue. Honey, just tell me, please?" I pressed further. No way a hot drink caused that, I refuse to accept that answer but I have a feeling that she won't be telling me anytime soon. Her body language was reserved.
She was saved by the bell, well sort of, because my phone started ringing. I gave Bella a sorry grimace, taking the device back. I moved to the corner of the room, reading the caller ID; Angelo. Our eldest brother, basically father figure.
"Angelo, everything okay?" He usually only calls in the case of an emergency. Now that I think about it, Bella and I were supposed to be home hours ago-
"Where the hell are you, Elijah?! I was worried something happened...did something happen?" I gulped, preparing myself for the explaination waiting to fly out of my mouth.
-
"...we're at one of the warehouses right now. Just waiting for Bella to feel better, we'll be coming home soon." I finished. I think Angelo was...well I don't know actually.
"Is she okay, I mean, how could this happen? She doesn't have epilepsy, does she? What else could've caused this?"
"She's good, just sore. During seizures, the limbs stiffen and stay like that until it's over. Hers lasted a minute and a half so she'd have cramped arms and legs. And as for the cause, epilepsy can be developed at birth, from brain tumors, brain infections and brain damage- head injuries. It could be any of those, it possibly occured when she was living away from us. Or it could be completely different, a one time thing. The doctor here- I've asked him to look into the scans we have on Bella's brain to see if there's anything out of the ordinary."
"You need to find out what caused it Elijah, please. And if it is epilepsy, we'll help her with it, of course." He stated confidently.
"I'll try to figure out what caused it, fratello." I sighed.
During our conversation, Bella was watching me cautiously. I don't blame her however I feel like she is hiding something. Something she's obviously not comfortable sharing.
"Va bene, è confusa e ha bisogno di cibo. So che è mattina presto, ma le offrirò qualcosa comunque. Ci vediamo a casa fratello." I exhaled then rubbed my forehead, stressed.
He hung up and I made my way back to my bambina.
-
Rylan
After his phone call, Elijah came back and offered me something to eat. I declined, he could just be tricking me and making a fool out of me. Offering me food, giving it to me then beating me because I didn't deserve it. He did that once, or maybe a couple times.
"Are you sure, honey?" A flash of concern crossed his features. I just nodded turning away from him. I wasn't a fan of eye contact.
I observed the IV drip stuck in the back of my hand, and it was not a pleasant feeling. I eyed my 'brother' then ripped it out since he wasn't looking.
Damn that shit hurt like a bitch. I groaned and assessed my situation. A seizure? Really?
What the hell is wrong with me? People who have seizures have epilepsy, right? I know that but I don't have that brain disorder.
I can't.
I tried to speak, my voice sounding hoarse and croaky. It hurt to swallow. "E-Elijah.." His head turned immediately, eyes widdened.
"Bella, bambina. Oh honey, don't speak, okay? Do not strain your throat." He held my shoulders, making sure I understood. The eye contact was uncomfortable but the physical contact was even worse. I whimpered and shook my shoulders, turning my head to the side. My hands gripped to white sheets and I hoisted myself further back and away from him.
He got the message, guilt and hurt filling his eyes. I felt a little bad but why should I feel uncomfortable? I should be able to feel safe in any environment, not always on my guard. That didn't occur often though.
There was a little blood dot on my skin from where the needle was. I licked my thumb and wiped it off with my hand.
Ew.
I was feeling sleepy even though I think I slept for quite a while because the sun was rising. Deciding I wanted to hybernate for all of eternity, I shimmied my way onto my side for a more comfortable position. I always liked sleeping in a fetal position, it felt comforting. And kept me warm.
It seemed Elijah heard the bed moving because he sat on the side I was facing, him facing me. I closed my eyes and his hand came to rest on my cheek. Why the touchy feely?
Stop.
Seriously.
I whined and turned to face the other side. His deep exhale sounded. I sighed too.
"Sweetheart, why'd you take the IV out? It was in there for a reason." I felt a hand rub my hip, a thumb creating circular motions. Soothing circular motions.
I shrugged my shoulders. I didn't like it, it reminded me of the needles that father- I mean, my step-father used to use to get high. The needles sometimes littered the living room floor, syringes empty and dirty. And I'd be the one to clean them up. I was often suprised he didn't get infections from them.
But when he was as high as the sky, he became more derranged. More violent. More cruel. It was not nice. I shuddered at the memories.
Flashback
I came home from school one day, tired and ready for a good nights rest.
When I entered, father was in the middle of taking a needle out of his arm. Ouch.
His head snapped up to me, glaring. He then wobbled over to where I was standing. Once within reach, his fist connected with my face. I flinched.
Another and another and another. He didn't stop, maybe he couldn't.
"I'm s-sorry. S-Stop pl-please, stop-" I begged, blood dripping from the cuts he made on my head.
"Bella." A voice called out which seemed far away.
"No! I hate you! You deserve this, you killed my wife!" I didn't. She left. She left me too, not just you!
"No, s-sir, I didn't. I swear! D-Daddy-" I tried to plead with him.
"I'm not your daddy! Don't you ever call me that, slut!" He kicked my chest. I was now laid on the floor, surrounded by needles.
Ick.
"Bella, honey." That voice again.
"Bella!" I blinked my eyes open, jumping up to sitting. My breathing was a bit uneven. Elijah sat there with his hand on my shoulder, shaking it slightly.
I didn't realise it but I zoned out. Hard.
Ohh, shit.
"W-what?" Is what I tried to get out but it came out as more of a silent squeak. My eyes were wide from the physical 'affection'. My brother's eyes held hurt. Well I was hurt. The man I used to call father hurt me, he shouldn't have a pained look in his eye.
"Are you feeling okay, honey? You scared me a little, you sort of... spaced out." His touch was long gone by now, which I was greatful for.
I nodded rapidly. "Okay, okay. Don't stress, bambina. It's okay. You're fine now." A man entered the room and I sat up alert.
Elijah reached out to place his hand on my leg, for comfort I presume, but it seems he finally learned his lesson and pulled back. The man spoke, "You're awake. That's good, let's get a look at your vitals then." He gestured for Elijah to get up, he did and then went ahead with checking my vitals.
His hands sometimes came to touch me and when that happened I would move away. He tried to get my 'brother' to but I wouldn't let him touch me either. They both sighed and gave up and by then my body was so tense it hurt. I guess the added tensity of my limbs from the seizure and fear of the men, was taking a toll on my body.
I wanted sleep more than anything.
The man, who I now know as Dr. Miller, discharged me so Elijah and I left. We walked through the halls, me being careful not to bump into the scary men that we passed by. The men with dark tattoos and black clothes on. The men that wore black sunglasses inside and in winter. The men that had guns on display, tucked into their waistbands.
They were scary alright.
They gave Elijah tight, short nods and gave me one too. Why? Don't ask me.
We arrived outside at last, and I couldn't be happier. That place was highly suspicious, to say the least.
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1792 words
Hehe
:))