𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮

Chapter Eight

Milana Alyona Vasiliev
Phobia by Nothing but thieves

I'm lost inside my head and surrounded by darkness. I can feel my heavy lids pleading with me to close my eyes but they stay open, staring into the darkened room. I can feel Emilia's light and steady breathing against my neck as her arm stays wrapped around my waist. She crashed the moment we laid down but as much as I wished I could go to sleep soundlessly and without any nightmares plaguing my sleep, I knew that would be far from reality.

A small knock on my bedroom door catches my attention. "Come in." I say after a few seconds of hesitation, my voice very low so that Emilia doesn't wake up. The person opens the door, bringing with them a little bit of light from the hallway.

At first, I can't make out who it is, but when his voice filters in the room I recognize the person as Dominik. "It's dinner time." I nod my head, not sure if he can see me or not. When he hesitates a little I almost voice that I would wake Emilia up but then he leaves, closing the door after him.

I move a little strand of hair from Emilia's face and gently shake her. "Wake up. It's dinner time." She mumbled something and opens her eyes, looking around confused. I move a little and search with my hand for the switch of the bedside lamp.

When the room lights up, I close my lids from the abrupt change of light. I get up from the bed and look at my choice of clothes, it's not much but I assume this is not a formal occasion so I end up deciding against changing. I look at Emilia, her outfit very similar to my own, she looks at herself in the mirror and fixes her hair.

"You ready?" I ask her. When she nods I start to walk towards the door and she follows me. I follow the way back from when we came, and when my memory fails me I follow a few voices.

We enter the dining room and everyone's head turns our way. There's no doubt the two extra males, each sitting on my father's side, are my older brothers. They all look like my father but with different ages, which is kinda creepy. Some strong genes he must have.

"We were just waiting for you." Father says and Emilia and I sit on the remaining seat. Thankfully they left the seats on the same side of the table so we can be beside each other. Father nods with his head to the new faces and introduces them. "These are your older brothers Dmitri and Adrik." He then looks at them and nods at Emilia and I. "Boys, your sister and her friend, Emilia."

"Nice to have you back, ангел." Adrik tells me with the sweetest of smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corner from how happy he looks. He then turns to Emilia and gives her the same sweet greeting. "It's also very nice to meet you Emilia."

I look away from them and focus my eyes on the wall behind Ivan, who is sitting across from me. Father tells everyone to serve themselves and everyone start to put different foods into their plates but I stay still. When everyone has served themselves I put a small portion of lasagna on my plate and start to eat it. I look at Emilia and notice the small smile on her lips as she eats her food.

I don't finish the food I served myself, my stomach too weak from days of starvation to endure even the small piece I got. I notice how my brothers and father glance at me and seem to look concerned. I take a gulp of water and look around, ignoring their glances.

There's a picture on the wall with all my brothers and father, but there's also a woman with a baby in her arms. She looks beautiful with light brown hair and dark blue eyes. Her smile seems genuine as she looks at the camera and the baby looks at her mother. I know at that age a baby can't remember anything but I wish I would, because from the lack of her presence I presume she's dead.

I avert my eyes before anyone can notice where I was looking at. Emilia seems to have finished her food too. I look at the others and they have also finished. Father looks at me expectedly and I avert my eyes from him. "Milana." I feel my heart beat faster as my eyes connect with him.