𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖘𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖒 | d.f. | book two

🕷️ ann30 🕷️

11:52am

"chin, dominic, you're dismissed. anna, i need to talk to you," i order as we wrap up practice for the day.

i enjoy seeing them drenched in sweat. it means they worked hard.

"okay," anna says.

dominic and her share a look as they dismiss themselves.

"and hydrate and rest for the time being," i call after them. "and eat light!"

"yes mother?" anna asks, drawing my attention.

"you and dominic seem to be getting along fine," i say, staring at her expressionless face.

i know my daughter.

she frowns.

"what are you getting at?"

"leave. him. alone," i state.

"i'm not-"

"you are anna malecot, and i know you. you will confuse him and i need him."

"i am not-"

"no more friends. no more talking. you like to play. understand this- dominic, is my toy."

we stare at each other.

i don't back down from whatever this pathetic attempt of a challenge is.

"i understand," she finally says, turning away and leaving the room.

if she reverts him, i will personally kill her with no remorse.

i make my way to the elevator, heading to the lab.

once there, borkov meets me out front.

"she doesn't like me my love, and i can't sedate her," he explains, worry on his face.

"well you kidnapped her. i wouldn't trust you either," i tell him.

i walk past him and enter. apollonia is strapped down to the lab table.

her eyes dance of fright, and her body trembles.

"oh no no," i coo at her.

at my soft tone, tears stream down her eyes.

"i wanna go home!" she wails.

"oh sweetie, for right now, this is your home."

"where am i? where's raya?! where's noonie?! and dommy?!" she questions.

"hey, listen. if i untie you, i will tell you everything you want to know, but, you have to be still so my friend can give you a shot."

"the last one made me sleepy!"

"i know. this one will only give you medicine to help you."

"...i don't-"

"trust me apollonia. i wouldn't hurt you." i stroke her face gently, looking right into her innocent little eyes. "i'm ann," i introduce. "for right now, i'm going to be taking care of you. you can trust me apollonia."

"mommy says never to trust strangers," she says, frowning- and jerking her face away from my hand. "you don't feel like mommy or raya," she grits.

i try my damn hardest not to "overreact" to this brat.

this is why i do not care for children.

"soraya... she's not a good person," i say.

"that's not true."

"no, apollonia. it is. she's done to the world, what happened to your mother."

her eyes water again.

"you don't know raya. you're lying! you're a liar!"

"i'm not apollonia!"

"where is dommy?!" she cries. "where is raya! what did you do to my family?!" she yells, wriggling against the straps.

"borkov!" i yell, and he enters the room.

"NO! NO!" apollonia screams.

"apollonia!" i yell, trying to calming her down.

she continues to scream for her family and for me to let her go.

i raise my hand and swipe it across her cheek, her head snapping to the other side.

her yelling seizes immediately.

she slowly turns to me, horror written on her face.

"you said you wouldn't hurt me," she squeaks out, a single tear falling down her cheek.

i'm not phased by much, but i think she just made me feel bad about my actions.

"i'm sorry," i tell her, "i'm sorry apollonia. i shouldn't have done that. listen, you don't want to be tied up right?" she shakes her head. "well i can put you in a really nice room that will be better. it's got dolls and whatever kids your age like," i tell her. "but for that to happen, we have to take our shot that's going to make you big and great," i smile.

she blankly stares at me.

"i'm seven. not a baby."

"fine. shot, now. you understand?"

"whatever. let's just do this."

this brat.

i roll my eyes.

borkov walks up, preps the needle, and with no warning, sticks her.

she cries out but soon stops as the effects take care.

she looks at me, eyes slowly lowering.

"you... liar," she mutters, before the dose knocks her out.

"get this brat to level 13, and for the love of god, don't let dominic see you," i order.

"i got it my love," he nods.

"thank you. i'll see you in a bit. we need to talk about anna."

"okay."

i leave the lab and head to our room.

what am i going to do about anna?