Mr. Diávolos & Ms. Angelos

Prologue: Natalie

Past -18 years ago

I skipped to the orphanage entrance, my little hand clasped tightly in my bug sister's grasp. The air smelled of freshly baked cookies, and I could see the other children running around.
Oops sorry I forgot Hello I am Natalie and this is my big sister Sofia, but I like to call her Sofie.

" come on, natty! Let's go play with others!" Sofie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I nodded eagerly, my curly hair was tied in pigtails bouncing as I followed her. We dashed across the courtyard.

I giggled as Sofie chased me around, her laughter mingling with mine as we raced through the grass. The other children joined as we played hide-and-seek.

As we were playing, I spotted my big brother, Enzo, making his towards us. With a squeal of excitement, I dashed towards him, my heart brimming with joy. "Happy birthday, enzo!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms towards him in a tight hug.

Enzo chuckled warmly, returning my embrace and planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Thank you, buttercup," he replied, his voice filled with affection.

Then Sofie wished him and others also started wishing him. Then we sat on the bench across the yard. We were talking before Enzo's mischievous side emerged. With a playful glint in his eyes, he began tickling me mercilessly, causing me to erupt into fits of giggles.

Just as I thought I couldn't laugh any harder, Mimi arrived, carrying a tray of sweet cookies for all of us. My eyes lit up with delight as I reached for a cookie, eager to savour its sugary goodness.

I cradled the chocolate chip cookie in my hands, careful not to let it crumble.  As I slipped out the back door, the cool evening air wrapped around me, and I made my way to the lake. The lake behind the orphanage was a secret sanctuary, a place where I could breathe and let my guard down. Tonight, it was just as serene, the water reflecting the twilight sky like a mirror. I spotted him sitting on our usual rock, legs dangling over the edge.

"Hey," I called softly.

His face lit up when he saw me. Al was one of the few people who made this place bearable. He was older than me, with a mischievous grin and a heart too big for his own good.

"You brought it!" he exclaimed, eyes widening at the sight of the cookie.

"Of course I did," I replied, handing it over. "A promise is a promise."

We sat there in silence for a moment, sharing the cookie and the quiet. It was peaceful, the kind of peace that made you forget the world outside the orphanage walls. But peace, I was learning, was often fleeting.

A sudden, deafening boom shattered the tranquillity. The ground seemed to shake beneath us, and we both jumped to our feet. The sound had come from inside the orphanage. My heart pounded in my chest as screams echoed through the night, chilling me to the bone.

"Natalie, stay here!" Al's voice was firm, a tone I wasn't used to hearing from him. He stepped in front of me, his small frame trying to shield me from an unseen danger.

"We have to go back," I whispered, fear choking my words.

 "My brother... what if he's in there?"

Al grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight. "We will, but we need to be careful."