Love, Evangeline

1.

Rain splattered down against the windows, a harsh storm roared outside. I sat on my brother Diego's lap, while my five other brothers sat around us. My head rested back against Diego's chest, my five year old eyes struggled to stay open as my mom read my my favorite bed time story, Sleeping Beauty. " How many times do you have to read this shit," my brother, Dante asked playing with his switch blade. My mom glared at him, " watch your tongue when your sister is around, Dante."

I looked at Dante and stuck my tongue out at him, Dante pointed the tip of his blade at me, making me glare at him. " And put that thing away," my mom hissed at him. Diego chuckled, " it's the only friend he has mother, let him keep it out." Dante looked at Diego, " if it weren't for our sister, I'd cut out your tongue, right here, right now." " Eva needs to see some blood every now and then," Alessandro, my other brother said. " Cut Diego, I dare you." " You two will do no such thing," my mother said glaring at my three brothers. Lightening glowed up the room, thunder shook the house. I flinched, Diego wrapped his arms around me, keeping me close to his chest.

" If she's scared of some lightening and thunder, how do you think she'll behave when she sees blood?" Damien asked before taking a swig of whiskey. " Can I please just read to your sister?" My mother asked annoyed, she was barely done with the book and promised me every night she'd read the whole thing to me. " How about we teach Eva how to fight?" Dante suggested. My mom scoffed and looked at him, " she's five Dante." " And?" Alessandro asked. " We we're her age, about, when dad gave all of us our first knives." My mom sighed as she looked at me, " sorry Eva, but it's getting late and I can't finish the book." I frowned, " but you always read me this book, front to back." " Blame your out of control brothers," my mom said as she closed the book.

I huffed before elbowing Diego in the chest and hoping off his lap. Diego chuckled as he rubbed his lower rib, " what was that for?" " Ruining the book," I said sternly as my mom took my hand in hers. Diego scoffed, " nice one brother," Alessandro teased. Damien licked his lips before setting the whiskey bottle on the table. " Don't you dare leave that drink in your sisters room Damien," my mother spat out. Damien held his hands up in defense, " Jesus, I wasn't." All of my brothers got up from the couch before walking over to my mother and I. I glared at Diego as he crouched down beside me. " Good night little one," Diego whispered. I looked at him as a smile crept across my face. Diego kissed my forehead before standing up and leaving my room.

All my brothers kissed me and wished me a good nights rest before leaving my room. They did this every night before I went to bed, my mom forced them to. Besides Diego, I liked it when Mateo kissed me good night because we had this little handshake we made up last week. I giggled as Mateo finished up our handshake, before kissing me on the cheek. " Don't let the monsters take you away in your sleep," Mateo said as he stood up. The smile on my face immediately vanished, my mom glared at Mateo as he smiled. " What monsters?" I asked as I pulled on my mom's hand. Mateo laughed softly as my mom punched him on the arm. Mateo winked at me before turning and leaving my room. I stood absolutely terrified as my mom sighed and looked down at me.

" Come on," my mom said as she walked me up to my bed. " What monsters is Mateo talking about?" I asked nervously as my mom slipped me underneath my bed sheets. " Nothing, your brother is just trying to scare you," my mom said. " Monsters aren't real, they don't exist." I looked at my mom as she sat down on my bed, next to my feet. " But what if Mateo is right, what if the monsters do come while I'm asleep?" I couldn't help but ask as the thought flooded into my mind. A smile spread across my mom's face as she leaned down and kissed my forehead. " I'm serious, what if they come when you leave?" I asked. My mom sighed, " I protected you with a magical good night kiss, that way no monster will ever hurt you." A satisfied smile spread across my face, " trust me?" My mom asked. I nodded, " good," my mom said.