Older Brothers | Mafia Overprotective

chapter four - bonding

Isabella's Pov:

I woke up to the shrill beep of my alarm piercing through the silence of the early morning. My hand shot out, silencing it before it could wake anyone else. The house was still and dark, shadows creeping along the walls as the first faint light of dawn began to edge in.

I sat up slowly, careful not to make a sound. The room felt too large, too luxurious, too unfamiliar. I slipped out of bed and crept to the window. Pulling back the heavy drapes, I peered outside. The world was hushed and serene, the lawn stretching out like a sea of silver in the moonlight. Trees loomed in the distance, their branches swaying gently in the cool breeze, and beyond them, the outline of the city skyline began to emerge against the paling sky.

I took a deep breath and turned away. My black backpack lay ready on the floor, filled with food from last night's dinner. I checked its contents one more time, ensuring everything was packed neatly. Satisfied, I slung it over my shoulders and grabbed my phone.

A quick text to Elliot: Sending food for you and the rest of the group. Stay safe.

I pocketed the phone and moved to the window. It was a tight fit, but I'd climbed out of trickier spots before. Easing the window open, I carefully hoisted myself onto the ledge. The cold morning air hit me, sharp and invigorating. I lowered myself down, hanging by my fingertips for a moment before dropping softly onto the grass below.

The ground was damp with dew, the chill seeping through my shoes. I took a moment to orient myself, glancing back at the house to ensure no lights flicked on in response to my departure. The mansion loomed behind me, dark and silent.

I began to walk, the weight of the backpack a comforting reminder of my purpose. The path from the house led me through a manicured garden, the scent of blooming flowers heavy in the air. As I moved further away, the surroundings began to change.

I passed through the wealthy neighborhood first, the grand houses standing like sentinels in the predawn gloom. The streets were wide and clean, lined with trees that rustled softly in the breeze. Gradually, the houses grew smaller and more clustered together. The pristine lawns gave way to cracked sidewalks and the occasional piece of litter.

My pace quickened as the neighborhood continued to shift. The buildings became older, more worn. Graffiti adorned walls, and the air carried the faint scent of smoke and exhaust. A stray dog trotted across the street, eyeing me warily before disappearing into an alley.

With each step, my energy began to wane. My legs ached, and a dull throb started to build in my head. The weight of the backpack seemed to increase with every block I crossed. I reached the edge of a park, its grass overgrown and benches rusty. The sky was lightening now, the first rays of the sun painting the horizon with soft hues of pink and gold.

I stumbled, my vision blurring. A sharp pain stabbed through my stomach, and I doubled over, retching violently. Blood splattered the grass, each heave tearing through me like a knife. I tried to stay upright, but my legs gave out, and I crumpled to the ground.

Everything spun around me, the world tilting and fading. The last thing I saw was the sky, a brilliant expanse of colour, before darkness swallowed me whole.

──

I woke up in a sterile white room, the ceiling tiles blurring into one another. My head throbbed, a dull, persistent ache that pulsed with every beat of my heart. Blinking, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. The room was stark, with the faint smell of antiseptic lingering in the air. The only decorations were a few pastel paintings of flowers on the walls, their colors muted in the harsh fluorescent lighting.