Resident Evil VIII: Donna Beneviento

A family?

The next day, Donna did not wake Alex and so he continued to explore the house. He especially like the extensive collection of books she had and the dolls, as creepy as they were, were also truly a work of art.

Donna and Angie secretly watched him from time to time and Alex even caught a glimpse of them sometimes. Finally, the young officer had enough. "There is no need to cower in the doorway, Miss Beneviento. No need to spy on me."

Donna and Angie emerged. "I wasn't spying. I was observing you."  Angie corrected.

"Of course." he said sarcastically, but they didn't seem to mind. "You have a lot of pretty dolls. Did you all made them themselves?"

Donna, or at least Angie, was delighted by his question. "Yes, it's my family business."

"Gardening too?" he asked while she moved closer to join him.

"No, it's my own passion. I like flowers... they are pretty. My sister liked them too." Angie's voice became sad at the end.

"Oh... I'm sorry. Didn't mean to pry." he offered a weak apology and a short smile.

Angie looked at him in thought, seeming to contemplate what to say. "My sister was taken from me long ago. I... actually like to talk about her."  

Donna and Angies heads turned to him quickly. Alex got defensive right away. "Forgive me. I shouldn't have asked."

"Yes, you shouldn't."

"Enough." Donna shut Angie up. This man, although reluctant to be here, had been nothing but kind to her. He deserved this, and if she wanted him to stay here... maybe opening up wasn't so a bad idea after all. Still, this wouldn't be easy on her. She hadn't told this to anyone other than Mother Miranda.

Angie grunted but listen to her 'other half'. "My parents are gone as well." it said.

Alexander didn't know what to say to that. So he just sat there with the tea in his hand, while a storm began to rage outside. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke up. "Forgive me for bringing it up, Lady Donna."

Donna shook her head, as did Angie. "No... no... I needed to tell someone. Anyone really. Maybe it helps..." Angie said.

"Only if you are comfortable with it." he assured her.

"You are a cute one aren't you?" Angie asked before Donna held her hand over the dolls mouth, as if to shut her up. Although confused by her action, Alex rolled with it and simply waited. His tactful instincts were rewarded with the sound of Donnas own voice. It was the first time she actually and directly spoke to him and he could hear her voice clearly. She spoke weak and soft.

"My sister, Berence... you saw her grave on the way here... She became sick and so we took her to Mother Miranda for help. But not even she could save her. It broke me and my family. My parents they.... they committed suicide. Jumped down into the waterfall. And so I was left alone. I was lucky that Mother Miranda adopted me as her daughter... and gave me these wonderful gifts."

Alexander had listened closely. Any hatred he had left for her vanished after he heard her story. "I... I don't know what to say. I can't say I know your pain."

"You were so nice to me, even from the start when you hated being here. And you helped me out a lot."

"I have to ask you something, if you don't mind." Donna was quiet for a moment before agreeing with a nod. "Is this why you brought me here? To be a substitute for your family?"

"Yes. And to protect you from the lycans." More silence filled the air, the only noises eminating were the warm fire and the stormy winds outside.