"I'm Arthur, your eldest brother." His voice sends shivers down my spine.
"Hi," I whisper back. Arthur doesn't wait long before grabbing a pile of papers titled 'Isabella.'
"So, Isa, I wanted to start by telling you that we're all very happy that you're here with us. There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you, because what happened earlier with Ezra was unacceptable. First, I want to give you the rules."
Oh no, rules, I hate rules.
Rules = Punishment.
Punishment = Getting beaten.
I gulp as he starts.
"Number 1: You need to respect your brothers. What happened this morning is not to be repeated. Do you understand?"
I nod.
"Verbal answer," he says, his voice made of ice.
"Yes," I mumble, before letting him continue with the rest of the rules.
"Number 2: One of your brothers always needs to know where you are at all times. This means no sneaking out!"
Oh well, some rules are meant to be broken.
"Number 3: No drugs, smoking, drinking, or sex."
This one too, minus the sex part, because what am I supposed to be doing when I sneak out?
"Number 4: Honesty. Don't lie to us. We don't like being lied to. When we ask you a question, you're going to answer as honestly as you can."
And probably break this one too. I have no intention of telling them about my past.
"Number 5: I need you to respond with a verbal answer, always. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
Finally, one I can follow.
"Number 6: No swearing or cussing."
"Number 7: Grades over 85, which shouldn't be a problem for you. I've seen your grades, but something we don't condone is skipping class—or worse, the whole day of school."
"Number 8: No dating, boy or girl or any gender. No dating until you're 16!"
"Number 9: This is the last rule, I had to add it today. You will eat at least two full meals every day. This is important. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir."
Arthur looks taken aback.
What did I do wrong?
"Did I do something wrong?" I ask, scared of the answer.
"No, no, not at all. But you don't need to call me sir. I'm your brother—Arthur is fine."
"Oh, okay. Sorry."
"There's no need to apologize," Arthur says.
ARTHUR ROSSI (1st brother, 32) - 1 day ago
Phone call between Arthur and Silas (Silas is Arthur's most trusted advisor and best friend)
Arthur: groggily What is it, Silas? It's seven in the morning.
Why the hell is he calling me so early?
Silas: Actually, it's three in the afternoon.
Shit, what did I take last night?
Arthur: Whatever, just get to the point.
Silas: Were you doing drugs again, Arthur?
Arthur: No.
He's never going to believe me, fuck.
YOU ARE READING
Saving Isabella
Roman pour AdolescentsIsabella's life has been anything but easy. At 14, she's already endured more than most. Her mother and her mother's boyfriend, Jack, were both controlling and abusive, leaving Isa to navigate the scars of their manipulation. Her mother always told...
