De Luca

𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞

I was running in a hall that I recognised to be the hall to my room when I was a child. I had blood all over me and my shirt was ripped open. Even though I ran down the hall it felt like I was held in place, seeing that the hall never ended nor changed.

"Grace." I heard Lucus's voice from behind me. Turning around I could see his angry red face, I turned back around and tried running faster but it was no use.

Lucus stomped up behind me and clamped his hand down on my shoulder, I whipped my head around to see that it was now Luigi that stood in Lucus's place, with his creepy grin.

"Hello Ms highland."

Suddenly his hands were around my neck, choking me. When I punched his head he turned into my father, he threw me into the wall and was going to move towards me but Andre jumped down in between us with his guns blazing.

"Grace." the soft voice of my mother drifted towards me from down the hall.

Still trying to catch my breath I stood up and ran towards her voice. This time there was a corner at the end of the hall, which I was able to run to. Turning I found my mother standing in her white gown.

With tears in my eyes, I ran to her, when I got to her I hugged her, but only for a second before I was falling into deep darkness. Gunshots were the last thing I heard.

I gasped as I bolted upright, sweat coating me. Once I was calmed down I groaned before standing up and walking to turn the light on, rubbing my eyes.

I walked back to my bed and opened the nightstand that was beside my bed, inside I pulled out the plastic bag that contained the tapes.

Looking at them my eyes started to water.

"I wish you were here with me mum. I've dealt with Lucus for years but this, living with a mafia, nearly being killed." I sighed as a tear slipped down my face. But suddenly I found the strength the wipe to wipe away. I was no lightweight, there were many times I could've died from the beatings Lucus gave me but I've pushed through it, through all the pain and abuse. Surely, I could handle this life.

There was a knock at the door breaking me out of my thought. I quickly put the tapes back in the drawer before calling out to the person on the other side to come in.

Andre opened up the door.

"Hey."

"Hey," I said with a small smile.

He came in and closed the door walking over to me and sitting next to me.

"You okay? Looks like you've been crying."

I wiped my eyes with both my palms.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded making him nod, "alright then."

"Is it time for breakfast already?"

He shook his head.

"Its two in the morning."

"Oh... Well, what are you coming to say to me at two in the morning?" I asked with a light laugh at the end.

He shrugged.

"Nothing. Just wanted to see if you were awake."

I nodded and laid back on my bed, Andre turned and looked at me.

"What?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I was there that night we shot Mr Santiago. I knew Elias had been lying when he said it was nothing, he had seemed distant that night... Sometimes I wonder if bringing you in was a good decision or bad."