Family

FIFTY-FIVE

Present || Leo

Every time I close my eyes, the image of Alfonzo and me in that dark room comes back to haunt me. My brain never lets me forget what he endured in there for me- the whippings, the drugs, the cruel torture they inflicted on him, Alonzo finding us, betraying us and shooting him.

And now he might not even make it.

"His seizures are getting worse by the day." Is what I heard Antonio mutter on the phone a while ago.

He never did end up letting me ask my questions, Alfonzo's condition had worsened to such an extent, it was the first time I had seen such genuine fear in Antonio's eyes.

As for my other brothers, I'm still terrified of Giovanni and Luca visits me almost every day.

I'm not sure how to feel.

My father hasn't come to visit me during the day but I can always feel his presence in the room at night. He always makes sure to be gone before I 'wake up'.

I can't sleep.

Nightmares of that horrifying week haunt me all the time.

"I want it to stop." I whisper, burying my face into my knees.

"Leo!" Luca's voice screams at me as he rushes into my room, sweat glistening his forehead as he takes in a deep breath.

"Alfonzo woke up!" He smiles widely at me, "Let's go and see him!"

Would he really want to see me? What if he blames me for what happened? What if he hates? What if-

"Would you like me to carry you Leo?" Antonio's deep voice asks as he takes long strides towards my bed, staring down at me with a soft look in his eyes, it's almost as if he can tell what I'm feeling.

"I'm sure he's as excited to see you as you are him." He says, ruffling my hair.

Slowly, I nod my head and Antonio wastes no time in hooking his arms under my legs and carrying me in his arms.

"Lead the way Luca." He commands, a hint of a smile dancing on his lips.

Luca salutes at us, turning and rushing down the hallway.

"It'll be fine." He whispers to me as he walks at a steady pace behind an excited Luca and I can't help but worry at the way Antonio's body tenses the closer we get to where Alfonzo is staying.

"Finally." Giovanni drawls, leaning against the wall next to a closed door.

"Have you been inside yet?" Luca asks, reaching for the door handle.

"I was waiting for you." He replies, swatting at Luca's hand.

Giovanni glances at us, his eyes locking on mine briefly before meeting Antonio's, "Dad's inside with him already, come on."

He takes a deep breath before opening the door and walking inside, the rest of us following closely behind.

My heart clenches at the sight of him.

Alfonzo is lying down on his hospital bed, his arm in a cast, bandages cover almost his entire body and he's lying on his side, away from us and staring blankly at the wall.

Father is sitting in a chair next to his bed, his elbows on his thighs as he stares at Alfonzo, a troubled expression on his face.

"You're awake!" Luca exclaims rushing towards him before he's pulled back by Giovanni who's staring at Alfonzo with an unreadable expression.

"You're here." Father says, standing up to his full height with a grim expression.

"Alfonzo?" Luca asks, going limp in Giovanni's hold, "Dad why isn't he looking at us? Is he asleep?"