Family

FIFTY-SEVEN

Present || Alfonzo

Leo had been acting odd lately.

He had not left my side once and any time someone even attempted to remove him from me he would have a mental breakdown.

The sight of his tear-streaked cheeks and red-rimmed eyes were enough to stop anyone from trying to move him.

Sighing softly, I move my fingers through his soft locks with my now healed arm, grateful the cast has been taken off.

It's been a month since everything changed.

A month since the notes began.

A month of nightmares that plague both Leo's dreams and mine. 

A month of staying helpless as monsters come for me in my sleep.

A month of my body remaining paralysed whenever I'm met with such horrible dreams.

Coming to terms with the fact that my own brother, my twin, someone I had once shared a bond like no other, was responsible for the death of my beloved mother and Matteo and the one responsible for our family's downfall, was much harder than I thought it would be.

A soft whimper escapes Leo's mouth as he lifts his head from my lap, immediately raising his tiny fists to rub his eyes.

"Don't rub them too harshly Leo." 

He mumbles out a barely audible 'sorry' before burying his head on my thigh.

Leo's been extremely affectionate as of late and whilst I don't mind, it's come to a point where it's concerning.

"Antonio will be coming to take you home today." 

He snaps his head up to meet mine, his expression contorting to one of horror as his hands clench tightly around the fabric of my hospital gown.

"Why?"

My eyes soften at his worried state, "You can't stay here forever Leo, I'll be coming home in a few days too. You're getting discharged today and unless you can change the doctor and Dad's mind, you're going home."

His grip on my gown becomes tighter, tears welling up in his eyes.

I raise my arms and he wastes no time in burying himself into my chest, his legs on either side of me.

"You can't leave me alone. I don't want to leave you alone!" He sobs as his tears begin to soak my shirt.

"What if he comes back and hurts you again? I don't wanna lose you!"

His sobs are the only thing audible in this room. His words took me by such surprise I can't formulate a response.

"Leo," I pull him away from my chest, gently wiping away the tears on his face, "I'll be back home before you know it and Alonzo has been taken away. Dad has made sure that he's kept under surveillance until he knows what to do with him."

Leo sniffles, "I wanna stay with you."

"Me too." I murmur, bumping my forehead against his softly.

A small smile erupts on his face as he giggles softly, wrapping his arms around me.

"You're quite attached to me aren't you?" I muse, wrapping my arms around his small frame.

He nods into my chest and I sigh in content, leaning back slightly before scowling as the door slams open and none other than Giovanni walks in and Antonio is quick to follow after.

"It's time to go Leo." Antonio says softly, frowning when Leo buries himself further into my embrace.

"Leo." I coax gently, "I'll see you very soon I promise."