Wings

4. Katrina

Isabella's POV:

Ever since I was a kid my sister has been there for me and no one else. She was the mother, the father, the best friend, the teacher, and the soul mate I had always needed. I was 2 years old and Katrina was only 13 when our parents were killed in a car accident, so the two of us spent most of our childhood in the orphanage until some angel like beings finally adopted us. I had just turned 7 and Katrina 18 when Mr and Mrs Ricci took us to our new home. Whenever a couple decided to adopt me and not Katrina i would always make a huge fuss, crying and beating them away, they were always interested in a 7 year old and not in an 18 year old teen. Thankfully Mr  and Mrs Ricci took me and Kat together. I remember how blissful it was to be loved and cherished, just as my sister was being. They never even once made us feel as though we weren't their own flesh and blood, they loved us just like how i imagined our real parents would have. It was almost paradise living with Ma and Pa, until Ferro Vitali, the son of Ma and Pa's oldest friends, walked into Kat's life. It was then the heaven like life we once lived turned into hell. I blinked my eyes and tried to clear away the the tears that blurred my vision. I ran faster, my feet pushing the ground even stronger as my heart pulsed rapidly. I ran past Anna's school and the church right next to it and breathed in the fresh Sunday morning air. Cold sweat broke on my forehead as i sat on the bench in front of the park, i always looked forward to the weekends, its the only time when i can go for my runs and visit my thoughts, were Katrina lived, without any interruptions. The quiet neighbourhood gave off a serene and peaceful energy, just like it always did, Katrina would've loved this place. No dont do it, you've held it in for long now, dont give up . Today marks the sixth year since my Katrina left me and Anna to fend for ourselves, today is the day that she finally gave up fighting for her life and gave in to the darkness, forever leaving me in the dark tunnel in which the light has completely shut down.

I gulped and swallowed down the painful lump as i closed my eyes and rested my head in my hands. There she was, lying completely still, her once lively complexion blue, her once pink lips now pale, her once bright eyes shut, hiding away the energy and liveliness that she always radiated, and her once beautiful vibrant smile now a solemn thin frown. I saw how they took her away, her elegant form dressed in a beautiful black dress as she was placed carefully into the ground, with me, Ma, and Pa watching helplessly as she disappeared six feet under the cold soil. Without realizing a loud sob escaped my mouth as a slow piercing pain inseminated in my chest, growing bigger and turning into an agonizing one. I wrapped my arms around my torso and slipped off the bench, my head slamming hard on to my pavement as i cried louder for my beloved sister, my soulmate, my mentor, and my life. I covered my mouth and tried to suppress my wails as i pulled my legs to my chest and buried my sobs, completely cutting off any oxygen supply, welcoming yet again another panic attack that was long due. Just as i was about finally dive deep into the welcoming darkness, a pair of familiar obsidian eyes came into my view, followed by a frightened expression of my always brooding employee. His gravelly voice filled my ears as he called out my name multiple times, each time fainter than before as i felt his strong arms lifting me up and placing my head on his broad shoulder. A strong scent of clean aftershave filled my nose with the musky scent of woods as i took a deep breath and whispered his name before finally giving into the darkness; "Yuri".

  I woke up to the sound of rough whispers. Blinking my eyes open, i winced as bright light hit my eyes and jerked me out of my sleep. What? where am I ? what the hell happened? shit where is Anna? i got up and looked around the foreign room as my heart started to beat loudly. Did he finally manage to get Anna? Just as I was about to rush from the cold bed Yuri walked in with a phone pressed to his ear, he looked shocked as i stood on my wobbly legs and opened my dry mouth to ask him about my niece, the only thing Katrina left me. "Shes awake, ill bring her to you", he hung up his phone as cold dread settled in my chest, making me sick to the core. Is he working for Ferro? did he kidnap me? i clenched my fist and felt my sharp nails digging into my palm as his tall form cautiously walked towards me, his eyes never leaving mine. "What the hell am I doing here? where is my niece? and who are you taking me to?", i seethed as he stopped in his steps, his once concerned expression turning into a confused one. He lifted his hands up and frowned, taking a few steps back before replying, " Ms Isabella i just spoke with Ethan, he is at the apartment with your niece. I wanted to make sure that you are capable to walk by yourself to your apartment, you fainted a few hours ago. This is my apartment and Sarah left just a couple of minutes ago to check on the Cafe". The more i looked into his dark eyes the more i realized how honest they were, showing nothing but concern and a little bit of hurt. i nodded and looked away, feeling completely embarrassed for accusing my employee for no reason, i should be thanking him for taking care of me and instead i yelled at him, conveying an entirely different message. "im capable enough to walk home by myslef, thank you", i rushed out and walked passed him, not waiting for his reply and heading straight for the door before he said softly," take care tsvetok", i stopped in my tracks and turned to look at the large man behind me, as he stood with his arms pressed to his sides and his handsome face wearing a soft yet forlorn expression. Not knowing what he said after take care, i nodded and turned away, hastily reaching for the door knob and rushing out of his apartment. As i got further away from him, my heart became heavier, yearning to go back to him and just be close to him once again. I shook my head and ran up tp my apartment, pushing away all the thoughts leading me to Yuri and focusing on getting to my niece.

"Anna, im home baby!", i gasped as i saw the light of my life running towards me with her little feet. I pulled her towards me and breathed in her familiar beautiful scent, peace and happiness washing over me as her tiny arms wrapped around my neck. You're safe baby, im right here and i wont let anything happen to you or anyone take you away from me, i thought as i kissed her golden head. I looked over her shoulder and saw Ethan's large form looming over us, his eyes shining in relief as i smiled at him and shook my head, mouthing that im ok. I closed Anna's door quietly and walked towards the living room after putting my niece to bed after answering all of her questions about why i didnt spend the day with her, making up all sorts of excuses to put her over active tiny mind to rest. I sighed as i saw Ethan's broad back facing me  with his hands clasped behind as he looked out of the window. "Hey thank you for watching over Anna", i said as i sat down on my couch and sighed in relief, my whole body screaming with happiness as the aching bones rested on the soft material. He turned around and stared at me, anger and fear written all over his face. Oh shit. I gulped as he walked towards me and stood straight before growling, "what the hell were you thinking? why did you stop taking your medications again? what are you trying to do? Look at you, all bloodied and bruised! ", as he continued to rant i frowned, bloodied? i stood up and walked towards the mirror by my dresser as i gasped. The left side of my forehead was completely swollen and bruised with dried blood peeking out of a white bandage. There were dark bags under my eyes and my cheeks were hollowed in, making my cheekbones more prominent as my complexion paled. "You need to stop this Isabella, i mean it. If not for mine or for your own sake, then think about our little Anna, whats going to happen to her if something happens to you?", exclaimed Ethan as he leaned against the door, his aging face seemed more tired than ever as he stared at me through his frowned eyes. 

"Im sorry Ethan, i really am. its just that those pills make me so numb you know, they make me feel so empty and hollow. I want to feel the pain Ethan, its the only way i can keep her alive in my head, to feel the pain of losing her", i gulped my dry throat and walked towards the fridge, pouring myself and Ethan some water. Trying my best to stop my body from shaking as i felt a huge sob wracking through my form, I felt his large hand rest on my shoulder as he pulled me towards his chest, enveloping my uncontrollable cries as i slumped against him, covering my mouth, hoping to not wake Anna up. "Shh, its okay now kiddo. Im here, ive got you", mumbled Ethan as he pressed his lips to my forehead, rubbing my back and comforting me. i closed my eyes and tightened my hold on to his sweater, crying my heart out as i wreathed in pain for the loss of dear sister, my Katrina. "I want to kill him Ethan, i want to hurt him soo bad, make him pay for what he did to her, to my sweet Katrina. I miss her soo much, Ethan, I miss my sister soo much", i whispered and held on to his shoulder, simultaneously holding on to dear life, that seemed quiet fragile and nonexistent at the moment.