Note: Here it is. The last one. I know I’m a day late. (well 2 days late since it’s almost 4 in the morning). But here it is.
Luigi pushed Amber forward. “Keep running.” They were almost there. Maybe pops wasn’t such a paranoid bastard when he built a panic room. Luigi glanced backwards. They managed to get a decent headstart. It was a massive takeover. The men were too well-armed to be rebels. Who the fuck were these people?
Gunshots resounded behind them. Fuck. “Don’t fucking stop.” They had to get to the panic room and then they would think of what to do next. Only the three of them could open the door. No one had access; not even the head of security. They just had to get in. The both of them had to get in there and then they’d figure something out.
A pit settled in Luigi’s gut knowing it was just the two of them. Where the hell did Pavi run off to? He wasn’t in GeneCo; that much Luigi knew. But he had no idea where his idiot brother went. He didn’t need his brother coming back to this mess. Or worse… What if someone followed him and-
A sharp pain shot through his back. Luigi collapsed forward.
“Brother!”
His back hurt. He had to stand. He had to move.
His sister stared at him in fear. Her eyes darted behind him then back at him. She turned and ran towards the panic room door. She keyed in the code. The door flew open. “Brother.” She turned towards him.
Luigi couldn’t move. No matter how hard he tried to force himself to move. He tried pushing himself upwards but that was all he could do.
Amber looked up behind him once more and her eyes widened. She ran into the panic room. She refused to meet his eyes as the doors slammed shut.
Something clenched in Luigi’s chest. He would have told her to get in there but… To see her leave him so willingly. Fuck. They were all out for themselves. Why should he have expected any different? Damnit. It shouldn’t hurt as much as it did.
Pain shot through his hand.
“Drop the gun.”
Luigi closed his eyes and released the gun.
“Get to your feet.”
Luigi turned his head and just glared. There were a dozen armed men before him.
The man with his foot on his hand reached out and grabbed his hair. He pulled. “I said get up.”
Luigi grunted. He couldn’t move. But fuck if he was telling them that. “Fuck you.”
The man pulled him upwards.
Pain shot through his back. A gun was placed at his chin “Fuck you.”
“I don’t need you. Open the panic room.”
They needed Amber. Why would the rebels need her? A mass slaughter proved their point. No, they were too well-armed for rebels. “I can’t open the door. Once its shut with someone inside, only the person inside can open it.” Luigi sneered.
“You’re lying.” The man dug his finger into the bullet wound in his back.
“Fuck.” Pain shot through his entire spine. A sharp shooting pain shot through his legs. He couldn’t move his legs. “Why the fuck would I lie?”
The man cocked the gun. “Then we don’t need you.”
“Wait.” Another man said and sauntered up to him. “I have an idea.”
***
Amber sat on the ground, hugging her knees to her. She left her brother out there. She left her brother to die. She hugged her knees closer. She left her brother out there to die.
No. He was shot. He wouldn’t have made it. He couldn’t even stand. She couldn’t have dragged him into this room. There wasn’t anything she could do. She would have died as well.
Excuses. All excuses. She was scared. She didn’t want to get caught. So she ran. She ran and left her brother out there. She left her brother out there alone.
Her watch rang. “Incoming call from Luigi Largo.”
He got out. He must have found somewhere to hide. He was alright. She answered the watch. “Brother.”
“Amber Sweet.”
Her heart fell. That wasn’t her brother. They had her brother. They had her brother. She gave them her brother.
“Ms Sweet. I think you understand the significance of me having this watch.”
“Is…is he alive?”
“For now.” There was a pause and she heard her brother curse in pain.
Amber closed her eyes. They had her brother. “What do you want?”
“I just need you to open the door.”
If she opened the door, they would kill her. They needed her because she was CEO. They needed her dead.
“Are you listening to me, Ms Sweet?” The voice was cold, professional.
If she opened the door, they would kill the both of them. They would not leave Luigi alive. They would kill them both.
“If you don’t open the door, I will kill your brother.”
“That slut doesn’t give a fuck about me.”
Amber clenched her eyes shut. Tears pricked at her eyes. Brother, that’s not true. That’s not true.
“Ms Sweet.” The voice warned.
“You won’t let him go. If I open this door, you won’t let him go.”
“I just need you Ms Sweet. I have no use for your brother.”
He was lying. What would killing only her do? The rebels would wipe them all out. He was lying. “I don’t believe you.”
“Have it your way, Ms Sweet.” A gun cocked.
No. No. Let him go. Please let him go. Please.
A scream of pain echoed through the line.
Amber froze. What were they… what were they doing?
Another scream.
Amber’s blood ran cold.
“Are you going to open the door now, Ms Sweet? We have plenty of time.”
Amber’s lip trembled. No. Not this. They were torturing her brother. They were trying to force her to open the door.
“Ms Sweet, are you even there?”
Another scream echoed through the line.
Amber whimpered.
“I heard that.”
Amber clenched her eyes shut. No. They couldn’t know it was affecting her. They would hurt him more. They would hurt him more.
Another scream. This one worse than any of the others.
Amber clamped her hand over her mouth. Tears streamed down her face. Stop this. Please stop this. Stop this.
“I told you.” The voice was trembling. “That fucking slut doesn’t give a fuck about me. End this now.”
Amber slammed her head against her knee. That isn’t true, brother. That isn’t true.
“You want this to end, tell your sister to open the fucking door.”
Luigi screamed again.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
“How…do you expect me…to convince her?”
“Figure it out.”
Luigi screamed again.
Amber clamped her hand tighter as sobs fought to escape her lips.
“Fine. If your sister won’t open the door, then you open it.”
“I…told you. I can’t…open it…from this side…once there’s someone…in there.”
Liar. That son of a bitch was lying. That son of a bitch was- Amber’s shoulder’s shook as the quiet sobs wrecked her body.
“Then pray your sister finds mercy.”
Luigi screamed once more.
“Stop.” She choked out. “Please just stop. I’ll open the door. Please just stop.” Full blown sobs wrecked her as she no longer forced herself to stay silent.
“That’s all you had to-” The man was cut off. “Mother-”
A shot rang out.
A chill ran down Amber’s spine. “Lu?”
“Fuck. Find Pavi Largo. NOW!”
Fear filled Amber’s gut. “Lu?”
“End that fucking call.”
“Brother…”
The call was cut off.
“No.” Amber couldn’t breathe. A choked cry of pain escaped her lips. “No.” She pulled her knees tighter to her. “No.”
***
Pavi watched his sister draped over the couch. She was humming to herself. He approached her and she didn’t react to him. Her pupils were constricted. She was high…again. He sighed and sat in the armchair opposite her. He wanted to talk to her when she was sober but…she was never sober. Not since the attack on GeneCo.
Guilt filled Pavi’s chest and he forced it back. He should have been here. Maybe things would have turned out differently if he was here. He had taken the day off and was at the other side of town when he heard what had happened. He rushed back to GeneCo but the GeneCops didn’t let him go inside. He could only wait outside; not knowing if his siblings were alive or dead.
And then when they took back GeneCo…
The GeneCops found him first. They tried to cover him up; told him not to look. He can still see his brother’s broken body: bones broken, fingers cut off, skin flayed. He was already stiff by the time they got to him. But Pavi still wonders if they had just taken back GeneCo sooner…maybe…
They couldn’t find sorella anywhere. He was so scared. Where could they have put his sister? It was then when Pavi realized where they had found Luigi’s body; in front of the panic room.
He opened the door to find his sister curled on the ground in a foetal position. She didn’t answer his questions. She just laid there sobbing. She was inconsolable. She refused to say anything to him. Pavi couldn’t do anything but hold her as she sobbed in his chest. And then…and then Amber started using again. Pavi should have stopped her. He should have realized…
“Sorella?” His voice was quiet; not wanting to startle her.
Amber stopped humming. But she didn’t reply him. She just stared at the ceiling.
“Sorella, you have to talk to me.”
“What do you want me to say, brother?”
She was lucid enough to hold a conversation. That would have to do he supposed. “You need to talk about what happened.”
“No.”
“Sorella, you can’t keep doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“You’ve been clean for over a year.”
Amber didn’t say anything.
“Please, sorella. I know it’s hard. But you need to stop this.”
“If I’m not high, I keep hearing him scream.”
“I know it’s hard, sorella.”
“Maybe he’s punishing me, brother. He won’t leave me alone because he wants to see me suffer.”
“Sorella, he wouldn’t want this.”
Amber sat up. “How would you know?”
“Because I know fratello. He wouldn’t want to see you like this.”
Amber smiled sardonically. “I left him to die. I closed the door right behind me, leaving him outside.”
Pavi froze. She had to be lying. She wouldn’t have…
“And then the screams started. All I had to do was open that fucking door. But I was so scared. I couldn’t even open that door.”
“They would have killed you both.”
“You don’t know that!” Amber shook. “You can’t know that. We thought rebels. But they weren’t…they weren’t…”
The President’s men. They wanted to force Amber to sign away GeneCo. As soon as the GeneCops found the evidence… That bastard would rot in jail for the rest of his miserable life.
“They didn’t need him. They just needed me. If I had opened the door, he’d still be here.”
“Sorella, please.” He tried to touch her but she pulled away from him. “You don’t know that. They would have most likely killed you both as soon as they got what they wanted.”
“You won’t tell me how he died, Paviche. You won’t tell me what they did to him. You didn’t let me see him until they fixed him up.”
“Sorella…” Pavi sighed. “I told you they shot him in the back and in the head.”
“Where? Where in the head?”
Pavi closed his eyes. Right temple. But his sister didn’t need to know that. The guilt she felt was already crushing her. “Back of the head. Execution style.”
“Liar.” She hissed.
“Sorella.” He grabbed her arm and didn’t let her pull away.
“I may as well have killed him myself.” She looked at him. “So tell me, brother. How am I supposed to deal with that without Z? How am I supposed to deal with what I’ve done?” She fell back into the chair and grabbed her head.
Pavi sat next to his sister and pulled her towards him. “He wouldn’t blame you, sorella.”
“He thought I hated him. He thought I didn’t care…” She buried her face into Pavi’s chest.
“He knows you love, sorella.”
“How do you know? How do you know?”
Pavi closed his eyes. Bullet wound: right temple. Angle consistent with- “Because he knew you would open the door.”
Amber shook harder and sobbed painfully into his chest.
Amber swiped her documents off her desk. “Two weeks. It’s been 2 weeks and you can’t find anything on that bastard. You couldn’t find Pavi and now you can’t find the bastard who took him. What the fuck am I paying you for?”
“Ms Sweet, whoever this was, he was good. There was no evidence; no clue nothing.”
“Fuck you. Get out. Get the fuck out!”
The GeneCops left.
Amber slid into her chair and dropped her head into her hands. Sobs escaped her lips. She was sick of this. She was sick of crying. She was sick of feeling useless. She…
It’s been 2 weeks. She thought it would get better but it didn’t. She couldn’t breathe. There was something heavy in her chest that refused to leave. She…
She opened the document before her; it was blurred through her tears. She scrubbed her eyes roughly. She had work to do. She couldn’t waste any more time. She had to run GeneCo. It was all she could do. It was the only thing she could do.
Amber hugged herself. Why couldn’t she save her brother? Why couldn’t they find him in time? Why did they fall for the kidnapper’s tricks? Why did this have to happen? Why?
They were just getting better. After daddy…they were just healing… Why did that bastard have to take her brother? What right did that bastard have to take away everything from her? She wanted him dead. She wanted to look him in the eye as he drew his last breath. She wanted to know why.
Amber turned back to the document. She had to work. It was the only distraction she had. The only thing that could keep her mind busy. She didn’t want to think anymore. She didn’t want to feel. She just needed to work.
***
Dr Smith gave her a small smile.
“Any changes?”
He shook his head.
“Thank you.” Amber entered the hospital room. “Hey, Lu. How are you feeling today?”
Luigi was sitting upright in the hospital bed.
She sat in the chair next to him. “There has been a significant drop in sales this month. I guess people talk.”
Luigi didn’t reply her. He just stared forward.
“Don’t worry though. We are still making a profit. Even if we’ve been sending out the Repo Man a bit too much for my liking. They still need to pay after all.”
Luigi stayed silent.
“Lu,” Her voice cracked. “It’s been two weeks. You have to snap out of this.”
Luigi still didn’t move.
Amber placed her hands on her brother’s face. “I can’t…I can’t do this alone, Lu. I can’t run GeneCo on my own. I can’t deal with this on my own.”
Luigi didn’t react.
“Please brother. I need you. I need you here with me. Please, Lu. Please.”
Luigi just stared forward.
***
Luigi laid on the beach; the sand digging into his back. He stared at the night sky. It was peaceful.
“Please brother. I need you.”
“It’s-a not fair to ignore her like this, fratello.”
“I know.” Luigi sighed. “I just need time.”
“That’s-a what you said 2 weeks ago.” He laid next to him.
“I can’t…I can’t bear going outside and facing…”
“The island is shrinking, fratello. There’s barely anything left.”
“I know. I just need more time.”
“What’s the difference, fratello; staying here or going out there?”
“You’re here, Paviche.”
“I’m not real, fratello.”
“I know.”
***
Amber stared at the tape recorder on her desk. No. Why? Why was this here? Why? She hit the play button and the same voice; the same voice which haunts her dreams came on.
“Ms Sweet. Why do you keep searching for me? It’s been 3 weeks and you won’t get off my back. Tell the GeneCops to stop looking.”
Fuck him. Fuck him. They were going to get him. They were going to find him and he would pay for everything he’s done.
“Have you forgotten how easy it was for me to take your brother? Do you think you’ll notice if I take Luigi as well?”
Amber froze. No.
“He won’t even fight. I don’t even have to knock him unconscious. If I put him in a box, do you think he’ll realize he was dying? Or would he finally wake up?”
No. Luigi was…Luigi was here. Luigi was protected. He couldn’t touch him. He couldn’t hurt him.
“Call the GeneCops off or you’ll learn how it feels to be an only child.” The tape fell silent.
No. He couldn’t touch Luigi. It wasn’t possible but…
Horror filled Amber. They never revealed what was wrong with Luigi. As far as anyone knew, he had taken a break to grieve his brother. The bastard…the bastard must be here in GeneCo; not just in GeneCO; a position of power. That was the only way he’d know. Fuck. If he was here, he could easily hurt her brother. He couldn’t hurt her brother. She couldn’t lose him too. She couldn’t.
***
Amber stormed past Dr Smith. She sat on the bed and faced her brother. “You need to wake up now, Lu. He’s threatening you. You need to wake up and protect yourself. Please.”
He stared blankly through her.
“I don’t want to call off the GeneCops, Lu. I want to find that bastard.”
Not even a flicker of acknowledgement filled his eyes.
“I won’t risk you in danger. I will call them off. So if you want him to pay, you need to wake up.”
He didn’t stir.
Amber dug through her purse and placed the Z gun at her neck. “If you don’t fucking wake up, I’m going to start using again. Then we can both run away and hide and let GeneCo fall.”
His eyes were dead.
“I mean it, brother! I will inject this right now. I will start using again. You better stop me.”
Luigi just continued staring forward.
Amber dropped her hand. She laid against her brother’s leg “I’m so tired, Lu. I’m so tired. I’m so scared. I’m so alone. Please Lu, I need you to hold me and tell me that everything’s going to ok. Please.”
***
There wasn’t any space to lie down anymore. Luigi sat on the small piece of beach left. He could hear his sister’s voice but it was muffled and so far away.
“It’s-a time to go back, fratello.”
“Not yet.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted this.”
“I know.” Luigi grabbed a fistful of sand and released it. “But I’m not ready to lose you yet.”
“I’m not real.”
“I know.” Luigi traced the sand mindlessly. “But it’s better than nothing.”
“Sorella needs you.”
“No. She’s better off without me.”
“Maybe.”
“Wow. You’re not even going to deny it?”
“I’m not Pavi, fratello. I’m just in your head.”
“It’s close enough.”
“You have to go back.”
“I can’t.”
“You’re leaving sorella alone.”
“I’ll fail her too.”
“You’re failing her now. You’re all she has-a left.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Are you blaming me, fratello?”
“You shouldn’t have left.”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“It hurts, Paviche.”
“I know.”
***
Amber sighed as she sat by Luigi’s bed. “I don’t know what to say anymore, Lu. I don’t even know if you can hear me.”
She watched her brother stare forward, as still as he always was.
“I’ve given you time to grieve, to process.” Amber sighed. “I’ve tried to be strong, brother. I’ve tried to run GeneCo. I’ve tried to grieve. But I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired. I’m just so tired.”
“I went to see Pavi today. I just wanted to talk to him y’know? And I remember just standing there staring at the ground and thinking: we put him underground again. He must have been so scared buried underground, unable to breathe. And we put him underground again.” She dropped her head into her hands and curled into herself.
“I still see him in that fucking box; gasping and choking and… And asking me why I didn’t get to him in time. He keeps asking why I let him die.” She shook as tears streamed down her face.
“I can’t do this anymore, brother. Can I give up too?” Amber placed the Z gun to the inside of her thigh. “I don’t want to feel anything anymore. I don’t want to care anymore.”
“Don’t be angry with me, brother. I tried to fight. I tried so hard to fight. But I can’t do it anymore. I can’t deal with this anymore, brother.”
Amber pressed the trigger and felt a sharp prick at her thigh. She relaxed into the chair as all the pain whittled away and she felt nothing. She smiled as euphoria filled her and the tears dried.
***
There was nothing but darkness. The small child hugged himself and shivered. It was dark and empty. There was nothing.
A man approached the boy.
The boy raised his head and looked at him. “Can…can you help me? I can’t find the way out.”
“Where’s the door, fratello?”
“I…I don’t know. It’s so dark and cold.”
The man sighed. “You’ve been here for too long, fratello.”
“Can…can you help me?”
“I can try. But you have to want to leave.” The man held out a hand for him.
The boy took it. “I…I want to leave.”
“Ok, fratello.” The man smiled gently at him. “We’ll find the door.”
They walked for what seemed like an eternity until they found a large wooden door. “It’s time to go, fratello.”
The boy looked around. “No. I’m…waiting for someone. I can’t leave without him.”
The man sighed again. He bent down until he was eye level with the boy. “You’re going to be alright, fratello. I promise.”
The boy shook his head. “I need to find him. I can’t go on without him.”
“You have to.”
“No…I can’t abandon him again. He…he’s scared of the dark. I can’t leave him alone.”
“He’s not here, fratello. He’s long gone.”
“No.” The boy started crying. “I was supposed to protect him. I was supposed to keep him safe.”
The man placed a gentle hand on his face. “You did everything you could.”
The boy shook his head. “I could have done more.”
“I’m not real, fratello. I’m in your head. And for me to say this, you know somewhere deep inside that there was nothing more you could have done. You did everything you could.”
“It wasn’t enough.” The door started fading.
“Fratello, listen to me. You have to go. You can’t stay here any longer. You will be stuck here.”
“I…I don’t…”
“Fratello, listen to me. You won’t find what you want here. There’s nothing left here. It’s just dark and empty.”
“What if it’s dark and empty outside too?”
“The darkness outside will fade. It just takes time.”
“You saved me from the darkness, Paviche. After pops…”
“I know, fratello. Now you have to save yourself.”
“I’m not strong enough.” The door faded until barely an outline was left.
“I can’t deal with this anymore, brother.”
Luigi closed his eyes. It’s been so long since he’s heard his sister’s voice.
“She needs you.”
Luigi placed a hand on the door. It reformed slowly. “I…”
“It’s going to be ok, fratello. I promise.”
“Goodbye, Paviche.” He opened the door and stepped through.
Luigi rubbed his head. The fucking migraine wasn’t going away no matter how many fucking pills he took. He downed his 11th cup of coffee for the day. It wasn’t helping. It didn’t matter how black it was, it wasn’t keeping his fucking eyes open. Luigi slammed his pen down. The words were beginning to blur. Maybe he should get some sleep tonight.
He glanced at the document and sighed. He picked up the pen. He had to get this done. The deadline was coming up and it was nowhere near ready.
He shouted for his assistant to bring him another cup of coffee. He reminded himself not to stab this one. This one knew how to make coffee. He didn’t need to go through another 15 to find one who could make a decent cup. No one answered. Right the bastard only worked till midnight. He swore the boy nearly cried when he told him his working hours. He had to remind himself then that the boy was the only one who could make a decent cup of coffee.
His head screamed at him once more. Fuck. He was not getting any work done like this. He placed his head on the table. He just needed the migraine to go away. He could work through everything else. He took a breath and forced himself to sit upright. Just another hour or two. Then he would go to bed.
***
Pavi headed to the GeneCo offices. It was the 4th night in a row that Luigi had stayed in the office overnight. He would head back in the mornings, take a shower, and head back to the office. His assistant told him that Luigi had been missing meals as well. Pavi sighed. Luigi had stopped working like this since papa died. Then suddenly, over the last few weeks, he’d started all over again.
What was Luigi working on anyway? He knew Amber had cut down his workload once she realized what their brother was doing. So what the hell was keeping his brother so busy?
Pavi entered Luigi’s office and sighed. His brother was asleep at his desk. He was hunched up at the desk; one arm below his head, the other wrapped around it. His back and neck were going to kill him tomorrow, he guaranteed it. Pavi grabbed Luigi’s coat hanging on the rack and draped it over his brother. Or maybe he should wake him? But knowing his idiot brother, he wouldn’t go back to bed. He would just continue working. What the hell was his brother working on?
Luigi was lying on a document open before him. Pavi pulled it carefully; trying not to wake his brother. He looked at it and froze.
Attempts 20 and 21: Failed. Faces still refuse to hold. Nerves are able to connect but blood supply still unable to be established. Subjects complained of constant severe, sharp pain up to the point the face rotted off.
‘Blood vessels too small? Increase blood vessel diameter by 1mm, bury deeper into the muscles.’ Was haphazardly written in pen below it.
Attempts 22 and 23: Failed. Removed old blood vessels and nerves, replaced with synthetic. Random fasciculation of muscles in the face. Blood vessels still won’t hold. Faces rotted at a faster rate. No sensation in the face.
Synthetic material not sensitive enough. Too many muscles. Synthetic works for nerves in arms. Remove nerves in arm and replace the nerves in the face. Replace arm nerves with synthetic. Nerves in arms too huge. Hand nerves may run to similar problem.
Attempts-
Luigi stirred. Fuck. Pavi closed the document and placed it on the table with the other stacks of company documents. “Pavi? What are you? Fuck.” Luigi squinted. “Turn off the lights.”
Pavi obliged. The room fell into darkness. “You need-a rest, fratello. Go to bed.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s-a nearly 4 in the morning.”
“Fuck.” Luigi rubbed his head. “I have to be up in 2 hours anyway.”
“I’m-a sure sorella would give you the day off.”
“Too much work to be done.” Luigi muttered but he still hadn’t lifted his head off the table.
Pavi grabbed the stack of documents on Luigi’s desk. “If-a you refuse to rest, fratello. I will-a burn all these documents.”
Luigi straightened. He cursed and grabbed his head. “That’s the only copy.”
That, not those. “Then you will-a do as you’re told. When’s the last-a time you slept, fratello?”
“I just slept.”
“I meant-a through the night, like a normal person.”
“I don’t remember.”
“You’re going to kill yourself like this.”
“I’m fine.”
“You haven’t-a joined us for a meal in almost 2 weeks.”
“I eat here.”
“Barely.”
“I need to get that done.”
“What the hell is-a so important, fratello?” Pavi reached for the files.
“Don’t!”
Pavi skipped the first file. He opened the second. “This is-a just the budget, fratello. Just-a get the finance manager to look it over.”
“He has. I just need to approve it. Now give them back.”
Pavi closed the file. “No. I’m-a keeping these until you’ve had a proper rest.”
“Pavi.” Luigi growled.
“I’m-a telling Sorella you’re taking the day off. You better be there for dinner or the files are going up-a in smoke.”
“Pavi!”
Pavi left the room. “Buona notte, fratello.”
***
“Pavi, I need those documents back.”
Pavi turned to see his brother stalking up to him. “It’s-a been one day, fratello.” But Luigi must have listened to him and had a proper rest. He looked slightly better than the previous day…well this morning technically.
“I’ve slept. I’ve eaten dinner with the two of you idiots. I’ve done what you wanted. Now give it back.”
“The Pavi has-a already approved the budget, fratello. It-a wasn’t that complicated.”
Luigi stiffened. “You went through my stuff?”
“Just the budget. The Pavi was-a too lazy to read the others.”
Luigi relaxed. “I don’t need you doing my work for me.”
“One more day, fratello. You still-a look like shit.”
“That wasn’t the deal.”
“There was-a no deal. The Pavi will-a give you back the documents once The Pavi feels you have sufficiently rested.”
“At least give me the documents. Everything is in there. All the work is halted-” Luigi cut himself off.
“The work can-a wait a couple of days.”
“The deadline is fucking coming up.”
What deadline? Why would there be a deadline? It doesn’t make sense. “I don’t-a care, fratello.”
“This isn’t your fucking business.”
“I’d-a rather you not-a work yourself to death, fratello.”
“I told you, I’m fine. I’ve had my rest.”
“Just-a sit down and drink-a with the Pavi.”
“I have things to do.”
“That-a you can’t do without those documents.” He poured his brother a drink.
Luigi sighed and sat next to him. “Tomorrow. At the very least tomorrow.”
“The work will still-a be there next-a week.”
“I’m working on a tight schedule. The deadline is the end of the month.”
Something in Pavi’s chest clenched. Why was there a deadline? “Are you sick, fratello?”
“What? No. I told you, I’m fine.”
“Why a deadline?”
“I know you barely work, but everything has a deadline.”
“Not this. Why would this…” What month was it? September? There wasn’t a new election or law changes they had to worry about for their research. Why end of September? What was-
Oh.
Pavi started laughing.
“The fuck’s wrong with you?”
“A birthday present. Fuck, fratello. You fucking scared me to death.”
“What are you-” Luigi froze. “You read the document.”
“I just-a wanted to see what you were so busy with, fratello.”
Luigi shot down his drink and said nothing.
“Fratello,” Pavi sighed. “The Pavi has-a looked like this for almost 20 years now. There is-a no rush.”
“I should have started this much earlier.”
“What-a was missing?”
“Test subjects.”
Pavi laughed. “Papa wouldn’t have let you hear the end of it.”
“Please. He would just be annoyed he didn’t think about it first.”
“Why didn’t-a you tell The Pavi?”
“I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Nothing has even come close.”
“Fratello I… It’s been 20 years. It’s-a ok if it doesn’t work.”
“I know. But the least I can do is try.”
“Maybe. But not-a like this, fratello. There’s no deadline. Don’t-a kill yourself over this.”
“You’re being a fucking drama queen.”
“Not-a sleeping and not-a eating is not-a healthy.”
“Yes mom.”
“Fratello, I’m-a serious. There’s-a no rush.”
Luigi opened his mouth to argue more.
Pavi changed tactics. “I miss-a talking like this. Or us eating together as a family.”
Luigi sighed. “Fine. I’ll come home for dinner and drinks. Then I’ll head back to work.”
“Sleep fratello. You forgot sleep.”
“It’s a waste of time to sleep. I can do so much more if I don’t sleep.”
“Sleep is-a important, fratello. What’s so bad about sleeping anyway?”
Luigi sighed. “The nightmares get worse around this time. I’d rather not sleep.”
Pavi fell silent.
“It’s why you were up so late yesterday right? I can hear you scream sometimes.”
Pavi closed his eyes. “It’s-a been 20 years.”
“I know.”
“It-a doesn’t make sense.”
Luigi didn’t say anything. He just filled both their glasses.
“I don’t-a just dream of that day though.”
“What else could be half as traumatizing?”
Pavi was silent. “Being left alone. Mama’s gone; papa’s gone. Everyone we’ve ever known is-a dead…even if it is-a thanks to papa. I just-a…I don’t-a want to lose anyone else.”
“Pavi…”
“The face can-a wait fratello. It won’t-a stop the nightmares. I just…I just don’t-a want you killing yourself over it.”
Luigi sighed. “I’m not going anywhere, Pavi.”
“You can’t-a promise that. Mama never intended to leave. Papa didn’t intend to leave. But they did.”
“Paviche…”
Pavi gave his brother back the document. “I know you need-a this, fratello. But-a not like this please. Next year. You can-a work on it. But there’s-a no rush.”
“Carmela owes me a fuckton of annual leaves. I’ll work on this up to dinner, alright?”
Pavi sighed. It was a compromise he supposed. “Fine. Only if you promise to join The Pavi for-a lunch as-a well.”
“I’m going to be sick of seeing your face.”
“I’ll-a get a new one.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Pavi pouted. “The Pavi is-a bored eating alone.”
“Bullshit. You have the Genterns entertaining you.” Luigi sighed. “I don’t need a babysitter, Pavi. I don’t need you running around making sure I don’t kill myself.”
“I know. But it-a helps.”
Luigi looked at the document in his hand. He sighed and placed it to the side. He poured himself another drink and refilled Pavi’s. “Last drink. Then bed.”
Note: Sequel to Day 23. I didn’t feel like leaving the story there. I felt that there was so much whump potential in the aftermath. I’m late again cause this was just so difficult to write. Same warnings apply. Nothing too explicit but Non-Con, NSFW, torture warnings still apply even if just in a brief flashback.
Luigi watched the last of the guests leave. The President had been rushed to the hospital where he had been pronounced dead on arrival. Luigi approached his brother. “What the fuck is going on, Pavi?”
Pavi turned to him, face serious. “Follow me, fratello. You’re not going to like this.”
“Like what?”
But Pavi didn’t say anything. He headed towards the lift and Luigi followed. Pavi was never this serious. Luigi didn’t like this. And the repeated comments about the President’s drink. Did Pavi do something to it?
Luigi followed Pavi into Dr Smith’s office where the girl Pavi was with earlier was sitting quietly. “What is this, Pavi? You wanted to keep the President’s girl so you killed him?”
Pavi didn’t say anything. He just passed him a sheet of paper.
Blood test 1 and Blood test 2 (Amber Sweet): 100% match.
“What…what the fuck is this!?”
“I don’t-a think sorella ran away. I think-a he took her.”
Luigi looked at his brother then back at the girl. “Amber?”
The girl didn’t look at him; her eyes were on the floor.
“Look at me, you stupid slut!”
The girl flinched and cowered from him.
“Fratello!”
The girl just curled into herself and shook.
“Is this some sort of fucking prank?”
“No.” Pavi bent before her. “She doesn’t seem to remember anything.” Pavi placed her gentle hand on hers. She flinched but didn’t pull away.
“What did he do to her?”
“I don’t-a know. But he deserved much worse than-a what he got.”
“Carmela.”
The girl’s brows furrowed. Did she…did she recognize that?
“Mela, do you know where you are?”
“Mara. My name’s Mara.”
“Mela, do you know where you are?”
She nodded. “GeneCo. I…I need to get back to the Master. He will punish me.”
Something in Luigi’s chest flared. “Punish?” He growled.
Pavi gave him a warning look. “He is-a dead. He won’t-a touch you anymore.”
The girl’s brow furrowed. “Dead?”
“Si. You’re safe now. You’re home.”
“Home?” She looked around then settled on Pavi. “Do I belong to you now, sir?”
Luigi’s hand clenched into a fist. What did that bastard do to his sister?
“No, sorella. You’re safe. You’re home now.”
“Safe?”
This wasn’t his sister. This wasn’t his fucking sister.
“I’ll be good. I’ll do anything you want.”
“No one will-a hurt you here.”
“If I’m good. I know. Just listen and I won’t be punished.”
Luigi couldn’t take this. He left the office. Rage filled him. If only the bastard wasn’t dead. He punched the wall. He imagined it was the bastard’s face. He punched the wall once more.
“Fratello?”
“He deserved more than what he got.”
“I know. But-a we couldn’t get caught. And it had-a to be tonight. Or he would-a take her back.”
Luigi punched the wall once more. “What were you doing with her?”
“He offered her to The Pavi to have fun with.”
Luigi punched the wall once more with a firm crack. Pain radiated up his arm. He let out a growl and slid to the ground. “1 fucking year. He took her for 1 fucking year and we didn’t-” He slid to the ground.
“The forgery was-a perfect. We searched everywhere. It wasn’t-a like we didn’t search. If she looked like-a that as soon as he took her, we would have never recognized her.”
“How did you figure it out?”
“It was-a an accident. I spoke Italian and-a she responded. I would have-a never figured it out otherwise.”
“I want to tear him apart!”
“He’s-a dead.”
“He got off too fucking easy.”
“I know. But-a sorella is the priority now.”
“What can we do, Paviche?”
“Just-a remind her who she is. Remind her she is-a safe. That’s-a all we can do.”
“How the fuck did we fuck up so badly?”
“I don’t-a know, fratello.”
***
“Good. You’re finally awake.”
She opened her eyes. No. Why was she back here? She tried to move but she was tied down to the bed.
Her master ran a hand down her cheek. “You’ve been a very naughty girl, pet. You tried to run away.”
No. She got out. She got out. Why was she still here?
Her master held up a metal stick. He stroked her with it. “I told you, if you were a good girl, you won’t get hurt. It seems you still need to learn.”
There was a sound of something crackling. A sharp pain shot through her. She screamed as her body shook and convulsed. As soon the pain started, it stopped. She breathed heavily.
“Beg me to stop.”
She wanted to beg but her throat was stuck. She couldn’t say anything.
The sound of crackling and another sharp pain shot through her. But it didn’t stop. She arched and screamed and convulsed but it didn’t stop. Please stop. Please. The pain disappeared. She crumpled to the bed, sobbing.
“Oh, is the Ice Queen crying? Go on then, beg me to stop. It’ll end so much faster.”
Her mouth still refused to move. “Fuck you.” No, she didn’t want to make him angry. Why was she making him angry?
He grinned. Another shot of pain filled her. She shook and shook. He was going to kill her. She felt her heart thump painfully in her chest. He was going to kill her. Her limbs contorted; her back arched. The pain stopped and she slumped downwards. Her heart was beating funny. Why was its rhythm off?
“Is that all you can take?”
“Please.”
He grinned. “See, you can learn. That’s all you have to do pet.”
Her heart was skipping beats. She couldn’t breathe. She-
The metal rod was forced inside her.
A scream escaped her lips before she could stop it.
“Don’t struggle. You don’t want me to accidentally push the button do you?”
A whimper escaped her lips.
“Now you’re going to be a good girl. And if you bite me again, I will turn on the cattle prod while its inside you.”
Something was forced into her mouth. She choked as she felt it at the back of her throat. She gagged. She couldn’t breathe. She wasn’t here. She wasn’t here. She wasn’t-
***
“Sorella, wake up. You’re having a nightmare. Sorella.”
Her eyes shot opened and she backed away. “Don’t touch me.” She shrunk back.
“Ok, sorella. I’m-a not touching you. Just-a breathe.”
She wasn’t in that room. She was…she was… Where was she? Why was she here? The master would punish her. The master would… She looked up to the masked man. Right. He was her new master. She yelled at him. He would punish her. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Sorella, there’s-a nothing to apologize for. Just-a calm down.”
He was going to hurt her. He was going to punish her. She tried to back away but there was nowhere she could go. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“I’m not-a going to hurt you, sorella.”
“Please. I’ll be good. I’ll be good.”
“Sorella…”
“Please. I’ll do anything.”
Arms surrounded her. He was going to hurt her. He was going to punish her. She fell still waiting for the pain.
Nothing happened. The arms didn’t let her go. But there was no pain. This…this felt familiar. This shouldn’t feel right but it did. She felt safe. She felt safe.
***
“-lease.”
Luigi sighed as he entered the hospital room Amber was staying at. Dr Smith wanted to keep an eye on her. He didn’t want to do any surgery on her until she was well enough to consent. Luigi had asked him to report what he had found. Dr Smith just gave him a dark look and refused. No matter how much he threatened him, he refused.
“What’s going on?”
She turned to him. “Please. I’ve been good. I’ve done everything you ask. I get Z if I’m good. Please.”
“Fuck.”
She flinched.
“Fratello…”
“Shit, I hadn’t…” He took a breath to calm himself down.
“Please sir. I’ll do anything you want. Just give me Z.” She approached him carefully. She dropped to her knees before him.
Luigi looked away. He couldn’t see his sister like this.
“I’ll do anything you want. Just give me Z. Anything you like.”
A hand touched his groin and unzipped his pants.
“Motherfucker!” He shoved her back. “Don’t fucking do that!”
Amber was sprawled on the ground. She was staring at him in fear.
“Fratello, calm down.”
He hadn’t meant. He hadn’t… Fuck he could do this. He couldn’t watch this. He left the room. He found the dent in the wall. He punched it. Again. And again. And ag-
“Stop it fratello, your fingers have barely set.” A hand grabbed his wrist.
“Don’t fucking touch me.” He snatched his hand back and sent it into the wall again and again. He let out a frustrated scream. Crack. There. He was satisfied. He looked at his hand. It had turned purple once more. Good.
“Damnit, fratello. Dr Smith will-a put you on a full cast if-a you keep doing that.”
“I can’t…I can’t deal with her like this. You fucking deal with her.”
“You don’t-a get to walk away.”
“I’m not… I can’t fucking see her like that.”
“It’s-a difficult for me to see her like that as-a well. But it doesn’t-a mean you get to abandon her.”
“I’m not-”
“She needs-a us.”
Pain shot through his hand as he roughly zipped up his pants. He knew…he knew what The President did to her. But to see it, to actually realize… He slammed his left hand into the wall.
“Is-a one fractured hand not-a enough?”
“If I can’t punish that bastard-”
“You’ll-a punish yourself?”
Luigi froze. “We should have found her.”
“This won’t-a change what happened. But we can-a help sorella now.”
“How?”
“I don’t-a know, fratello. But running away is-a definitely not it.”
Luigi closed his eyes and sighed. “Fine, Paviche.” He headed back to Amber’s room.
She just stared at them wide-eyed. She sat subserviently on the bed.
Luigi sighed and sat on the chair furthest from her. He couldn’t lose his temper.
Amber was staring at his hand. “Did someone punish you for being bad too?”
Luigi sighed. He really didn’t want to explain why he was punching the wall. “Yes.”
Amber glanced at Pavi.
“Pavi didn’t-a do anything, Carmela.”
She approached him cautiously. She gently took his hand in hers.
“It’s fine, Mela.”
“What did the poor wall ever did to you, brother?”
Luigi froze. “Mela?”
Amber didn’t say anything. She just examined his hand some more. She-
A blinding sharp pain shot through his hand.
He bit back the curse. He couldn’t scare her. “What are you-” He breathed heavily.
“The bones have to be put right.”
“Leave it, Mela. The doctors will see to it later.”
“The doctors will make it worse.”
Luigi froze. He placed a careful hand on her chin.
Amber stiffened.
Luigi dropped his hand immediately. “No one here will hurt you. If anyone so much as touches you, you tell me. I will fucking tear them apart.”
“Fratello.” Pavi warned again.
Amber didn’t cower but she didn’t say anything.
“No one is allowed in this room except for the two of us and Dr Smith. No one will hurt you.”
***
The withdrawal was bad. Luigi hadn’t noticed when Amber was withdrawing the first time. But sitting here, watching it first-hand. He watched her shake and throw up again. She kept begging them for Z but they held firm. Luigi’s limit however was when she reached for his pants again.
“Fucking hell, Carmela. I swear if you-”
She cowered from him. She hadn’t shown fear in so long. All their work undone by… Fuck. He headed to the door.
“Fratello!”
Luigi stopped and took a breath. He had to stay. No running away. He sat back in the chair. “I’m sorry, Mela. I hadn’t meant to raise my voice. Just please don’t…”
“Ok.” She said softly. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just give me Z.”
Luigi sighed. “It’ll be out of your system in a few days. Then you’ll feel better.”
“Asshole.”
Pavi whipped towards Amber in shock. “Sorella?”
But she didn’t reply as she always did when pieces of their sister appeared.
“Just rest, Mela.”
***
It’s been a week since Amber stopped withdrawing. She didn’t even ask for Z anymore. Dr Smith suggested they bring her back. Maybe familiar surroundings would help her remember who she was. He watched his sister walk into their home. She looked around cautiously. Slowly she broke away from them and started walking around by herself. She stopped in front of an old family portrait.
“Who’s that?”
“That’s papa, sorella.”
She paused. “No. Her.” She pointed at herself.
“That’s-a you, sorella.”
Her brows furrowed and she looked into the mirror. “No, it’s not.”
Luigi sighed. “Dr Smith says the surgery to look like that again would be extensive. You would require Z. He’s not keen on it and neither am I. But smaller scale surgeries, maybe a face transplant or something would work with the older painkillers. You can do that later, if you want Carmela. Once you get better.”
Amber just touched her own face and then the one in the portrait.
“Come on, Sorella, I’ll bring you to your room.”
Fear filled Amber’s face. “No. I’ve been good. Don’t lock me up again. Please. I’ve been-” She stopped herself. “Yes master.”
“We’re not-a locking you up, sorella.” He brought her to her room.
Her brows furrowed as she looked inside. “This isn’t…”
“This is your room, sorella. You can-a keep the doors open if you want. We’re not locking you inside.”
She slowly stepped into her room. She ran a hand on her table. “I… Do you want me to strip, master?”
Pavi sighed. “No, sorella.” He entered the room, giving Amber a wide berth. He opened the cupboard. “You can change to something more comfortable if you want, sorella.”
“The master chooses my clothes for me.”
“Thatman is-a dead. You can choose your own clothes, sorella.” Pavi just watched his sister stare at her dresser. “It’s-a almost time for dinner, sorella. Me and fratello will be waiting at the dining room. You can come when you’re ready.”
***
Pavi awoke with a start. It was dark. He…He couldn’t breathe. What was… Something was pressed against his face. He couldn’t breathe. He tried to move. Something was holding him down. He struggled. The pillow was pressed harder against his face. He tried to buck the person off him. They held firm. He fought harder. His lungs screaming for oxygen.
His hand slipped free. He grabbed the wrist holding him down and twisted. It released the pressure just enough for him to gasp in a breath. He pulled his other hand free and grabbed the other arm. He pushed the attacker back. He slammed them against the bed and-
Pavi froze. “Sorella?”
“Let me go. I’ll kill you. I’ll fucking kill you.”
“Sorella, it’s-a me. It’s-a Pavi.”
“I’m going to kill you. I’m going to fucking kill you.”
Pavi pinned Amber’s hands on top of her. He hit the light switch beside his bed. “Sorella, it’s me.”
“You’re…you’re not him.”
“No, sorella. It’s me. It’s just me.”
Pavi watched his sister disappear from her eyes. Fear filled them and she cowered back.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please don’t hurt me.”
“I’m-a not going to hurt you, sorella.” He released her and stood. He headed to the light switch and turned it on.
Amber blinked and stared at him.
“Did you have another nightmare, sorella?”
“I…I was there again. Hewas there. I thought…”
Pavi cautiously held her hands. She didn’t flinch. “He’s dead, sorella. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“I…” She looked around desperately. “Yes. He’s dead. You…you’re my new master now.”
Frustration filled Pavi. “Sorella.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not your master, sorella. Stop calling me that. It’s me. It’s Pavi.”
“I…” She looked at her hands. “Ok, master. I’ll call you Pavi if you wish.”
Pavi released her hands. He sighed. “Just try to get some rest, sorella.”
“Ok.” She quietly left his room.”
***
She headed to the dining room. Her master was already there. She quietly sat in her chair. No, not her chair. The master told her to sit there. It didn’t belong to her. Nothing belonged to her.
The master didn’t look at her. He seemed upset. No. She would get in trouble if he was upset. She was going to be punished.
She had to do something. Her previous master liked it when she got on her knees. Would that…no the master didn’t like that. She looked at his hands. He liked touching her hands. Would that help? Slowly, she placed her hands on his.
“So…sorella?”
“Do you like this, master?”
The master sighed and pulled away his hands. Right. The master wanted her to call him Pavi. She forgot that. He will punish her.
“Motherfucker!” He flew to his feet. He was soaked with coffee. “That’s fucking hot, you clumsy bitch.”
She froze. “You fucking bitch!”
“You’re going to fucking pay for this.”
“I’m going to punish you so badly; you’ll be pissing blood for a week.”
“Fratello, stop it!”
The girl backed away, fear on her face. “Please don’t hurt me.”
She backed away from him. But she had nowhere to run. She had nowhere to run.
“Fucking bitch.”
He kicked her in the stomach. Again and again and again. Everything hurt. She couldn’t move. Please someone help her. She cried in pain but no one was coming.
“Fratello, stop it now!”
He stomped on her abdomen. She felt something burst. She screamed in pain. He was going to kill her. She was going to die.
“Motherf-” There was a growl of pain.
“Fratello!”
“Get the fuck out of here now.”
She was going to die. She was going to die. She was going to-
He was going to hurt her. He was going to kill her.
“Sorella, just take deep breaths. You’re safe. You’re alright.”
She forced herself to breathe. The master gave her an order. She had to follow. She had to listen. She forced her eyes open. The girl was gone. The master released her.
Her eyes fell on him. He was breathing heavily; a knife buried deep in his thigh.
“Did the Master punish you for being bad?”
The master stiffened.
“No, Mela. Pavi didn’t do this.”
“Did…did he make you punish yourself?”
“I’ll give you a choice, pet. I can place this knife into your eye right now. Or you can stab yourself anywhere on your body.”
“No, Carmela. It wasn’t-”
“I don’t…I don’t-a understand. I’ve done nothing to you. I’ve been by your side since the start. I’ve been-a patient and caring. Fratello’s the one losing his-a temper and what, you think-a I’ve been-a torturing him.”
The master was angry. The master was really angry. She was going to get it now.
“I don’t-a know what to do anymore, sorella. I…I’m-a trying. I know it-a takes time. If-a you treat us both like… I’d-a understand but… Did I do something to you to make you so scared of me? Did I do something wrong? I’ve been-a trying so hard but…”
No. He wasn’t angry. He was hurt. Why?
“Forget it sorella. It was always-a easier for you to forgive him. I will leave you alone. I can’t keep-a babysitting the both of you. If it’s-a easier for you to deal, I will leave you alone.” He turned and left.
“Pavi!”
Wait. Stop. No why did she want him to stop. If the Master left her alone…no not master. Her master was dead. He was…he was…
“Damn it.”
She looked up at him. He was gripping his thigh. It was bleeding. She approached him quietly.
“Leave it, Mela. I’ll see to it later.” He didn’t look at her. He was staring at the door.
“Why? If no one makes you do it, why?”
Luigi sighed. “Mela…” He looked at her than look away. “I can’t control…” He took a breath. “I feel… It gets too much sometimes. I need a way to get it out.”
She spotted the bandages. She gave a quick glance to her sleeping brother. She undid the bandages. Long deep cuts ran down her brother’s arm. She touched it.
Luigi awoke with a start. “I had a fight with the mirror. Don’t go in the bathroom, there’s glass everywhere.”
She just stared at the scars. There was something off about it but she didn’t know what. She was too young to understand. “Is…Is Pavi going to be ok?”
Luigi turned away from her. “I don’t know, Carmela. I fucked up so badly.”
She pulled up Luigi’s sleeve. Those scars had healed. But there were new cuts; shallower but no less angry.
“Carmela, don’t.”
“Does Pavi-”
“This has nothing to do with Pavi. He didn’t make me do anything.”
No. “Does Pavi know?”
Luigi sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve been better at hiding it but these last few weeks have been…”
Difficult. Dealing with her had been difficult. “I’m sorry.”
Luigi closed his eyes. “I’m just going to make things worse.” He stood painfully. “I’m going to get this stitched up. Talk…” He sighed. “I’m not forcing you to do anything. But…Pavi has really been trying. This isn’t easy, Carmela. I’m not blaming you. It’s just…been hard.” He headed to the door.
“Brother. It wasn’t your fault. What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“I can’t help you, Carmela. Not like he can. I can’t do anything-”
“You’re here brother. It helps. I know it doesn’t seem like it. But it helps.”
“I keep losing… I can’t control my temper. I can’t keep… You were never scared of me before. I’m making things worse, Mela.” He pushed open the door.
“Don’t give up on me.”
“I’m not, Mela. But I’m making you worse, not better. You deserve better.”
***
She watched the Mas-Pavi sit on the bench in the Greenhouse. He was quiet. He-
She sat next to Pavi and leant onto his arm. “Brandon broke up with me. He said I wasn’t pretty enough for him.”
“Sorella,” He sighed. “Your boyfriend was an asshole.”
“He isn’t wrong.”
“Sorella, you look-a lovely.”
“Then why won’t you take my face?”
He froze. “Sorella…”
“See, it’s not good enough for you.”
“It’s not like that, sorella.”
“Mommy wouldn’t have left if I was pretty enough for her.”
“That’s not true, sorella, you know that. Your mother was…” Pavi sighed. “I’m sure she had her reasons.”
“Daddy won’t let me have surgery.”
“You don’t-a need surgery, sorella.”
“Everyone in school has had one. We own GeneCo and yet daddy won’t let me do anything. They make fun of me.”
Pavi sighed. “I’ll help you convince papa. But do it only because you want to, sorella. Not to make the other girls happy.”
“What if I want to make the other girls jealous.”
Pavi grinned and smacked her head playfully. “Do it for yourself, sorella.”
“You’re the only one I can talk to, brother. You’re the only one who understands.”
She slowly sat next to Pavi. She leant onto his arm.
“Sorella.” He sighed.
“I’m remembering.”
Pavi froze.
“It’s not much. But I’m remembering.” Her voice turned small. “It’s hard. Some days I wake up and I feel like me but one trauma, one trigger and…” She felt a gentle hand on her arm. “He punishes me when he’s angry and that’s why when Luigi starts yelling, I… but those were never so bad. It meant beatings, punishment but that was it. It’s when…it’s when he’s nice; when he’s polite is when it’s the worse. That’s when he would have friends over or he wants to try something new. That’s why…it’s harder with you. I’m sorry.”
“Sorella, don’t apologize. This isn’t your fault.”
“No. I have to say it. This is the clearest I’ve ever been. If I regress…I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Sorella, I don’t need you to take care of me. Just focus on yourself.”
“I know you’re trying to take care of us, Pavi. I see it. Luigi sees it. I need you to remember that when I forget.”
“Sorella please. Don’t worry about me.”
“You were here for me, for Luigi, when daddy died. You were probably grieving too but…I think we took it for granted you were ok.”
“I am ok, sorella.”
“It’s ok to not be. You don’t have to pretend for us. I knew all this before but…it was so hard to say.”
Pavi sighed. “Sorella.”
“Do you think things can go back to normal?”
“No. But it’s ok. You’re here. I’m here. Fratello’s here. That’s enough.”
“What if I never get better?”
“I will be here sorella. No matter how hard it gets. I will be here. I won’t leave you alone.”
“Yes master.”
The master’s eyes closed. He looked…sad. He placed a gentle hand on his arm. “I’ll be right here, sorella.”
Amber fought the urge to rub her aching head. She tried to listen to what finance manager was saying but her head just felt so heavy. Didn’t she get enough sleep the previous day? She needed an aspirin. The man’s voice just bore into her skull but she wasn’t registering anything he was saying. She gave a quick glance to the scribe; she’d just go through the notes later.
“-weet?”
Fuck what had the finance manager asked? She looked at the presentation and she swore the words were dancing across the screen. She looked back at him and he had two twins standing beside him. Ok, she definitely needed a break.
Luigi said something and the man continued his presentation. She swore he was glaring at her suspiciously. The idiot probably thought she was high. Fuck. She wasn’t-
Nausea filled her. She was going to throw up. She stood and her vision turned white. She stumbled back.
“-ella?”
The color came back but her vision didn’t clear. She felt like she was looking through a haze. The urge to throw up was even stronger. She had to get to the bathroom. She-
***
Amber stumbled backwards, grabbing the table for support.
“Sorella?” Pavi was on his feet.
“What the fuck’s wrong with you?”
Amber didn’t answer them. She turned towards the door. She took an unsteady step and plunged forward.
“Sorella.” Pavi caught her before her head hit the ground. What was wrong with her? She-
Amber started seizing in his arms.
“Call the fucking doctors!”
Pavi turned Amber onto her side.
Luigi bent next to him, “She didn’t fucking OD did she?” He muttered under his breath.
“She’s-a clean.” He was sure she was…wasn’t she? Or had she gotten better in hiding it?
“Where the fuck are those doctors?”
***
Pavi looked up as Dr Smith entered the waiting room. He didn’t like the grim look on his face. “Is she alright, dottare?”
“The drug report is clean. MRIs show nothing.”
“But?”
“Her bloods are showing a different picture. Her organs are failing at an extremely rapid rate. Her blood counts are abnormal.”
“What would-a cause that?”
“We are running every disease and toxin test we have but so far nothing is coming up. We’re doing what we can and we’re buying time. But without an answer, we can’t do anything. The GeneCops have been updated. They are running everything Ms Sweet has eaten or drank in the last 24 hours. If anything is abnormal, they’ll find it.”
Luigi nodded and Dr Smith headed back to Amber’s hospital room.
“They think-a she’s been poisoned?”
Luigi rubbed his head. “Did she seem ill yesterday?”
Pavi thought back and shook his head. “She seemed normal.”
“With the number of staff and security we have, how the fuck can anyone slip in anything?”
“That’s-a the thing isn’t it fratello, we have-a too many staff touching everything.”
“Fuck.” Luigi ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll work with the GeneCops to see what they know. If anything happens-”
“I’ll-a let you know, fratello.”
***
Pavi stepped in to Amber’s room when the doctors were finally done. She looked like hell was putting it nicely. “Sorella.”
“Oh good. You have the sense not to ask how I’m feeling. I obviously feel like shit.”
“The dottari and GeneCops are working to find what’s wrong.”
“They could work faster.”
Pavi’s brow furrowed as blood trailed from Amber’s nose. “Sorella, your nose…”
Amber groaned. “The stupid thing refuses to stop bleeding.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. They were silent for a moment. “They’re going to figure it out, right brother?” Amber asked in a small voice.
“Of-a course they will, sorella. You’re going to be fine.” Pavi looked at her. “When-a did the symptoms start, sorella?”
“I only noticed during the meeting.”
“Did-a you eat or drink anything before the meeting?”
“No. Just breakfast. But we had the same thing right?”
“They still-a prepared it separately. The chef is-a being questioned and the leftovers are being checked.”
“Royals used to hire poison tasters. Maybe we should start that again.” Amber’s smile fell. Her hand flew to her mouth as she began coughing.
Dread filled Pavi as Amber removed her hand and it was bloodstained. She just stared at her hand. “It’s-a going to be alright, sorella. They will-a figure it out.”
***
Pavi excused himself to the washroom. He left the room and raised his watch. It rang once.
“Pavi.”
“It’s-a getting worse, fratello. She’s-a bleeding non-stop. Dr Smith wants-a to start transfusions soon if-a this continues.”
“They can’t find anything. Everything she’s eaten and drank in the last 48 hours has been tested. They can’t find anything.”
“The dottari can’t-a find anything in her blood either.”
“Fuck. What else could it be? If not poison, what else could it be?”
“It has-a to be poison, fratello. It’s moving too quickly to be anything else.”
“It’s not in the food. There were no injection or bite marks. What else could it be?”
“That’s-a lovely shade of red, sorella.”
“Is it?” She looked at her reflection in her glass.
Pavi turned his mirror for her to see. “It’s-a ‘sweet’.”
Amber rolled her eyes at the pun. “It’s bit bright for my liking.”
“The Pavi likes it.”
She took out the lipstick from her purse. “You can have it then.”
“Fucking slut. Must you encourage him to be even more of a fag?”
“Sorella is-a being nice, fratello. You should-a learn from her.”
“Not fucking interested in being nice.”
He turned the lipstick over. “You can-a only get this from-a France.”
“The President was on a business trip there last week. He said he thought of me when he saw it and bought it as a congratulatory present.”
“That’s-a nice of-a him.”
“Idiots. It’s strategic.” Luigi muttered.
Pavi took the lipstick from his pocket. Today was the first time Amber’s tried the lipstick. “I’m-a sending something over, fratello. It’s-a just a hunch. But it’s-a better than-a nothing.”
***
Pavi held Amber’s hair back. She retched painfully once more. She wiped her mouth and laid tiredly back in bed. Pavi glanced at the bucket filled with blood. The doctors have tried general antidotes to poisons that cause bleeding like this but nothing has worked.
“They’re not going to figure it out in time, are they?”
“Sorella, they’re doing everything they can. They will-a figure this out.”
She looked at him and he knew she didn’t believe him. She was turning a sickly yellow. Dr Smith wanted to change the kidneys and liver to at least try to slow the damage. But with Amber bleeding as much as she was; no doctor was willing to risk it.
“I don’t want to die.”
“You’re not going to die, sorella.”
“They should have figured out what’s wrong by now. They can’t do it. They can’t find what’s wrong.”
“Sore-” His watch rang. “Excuse me, sorella.”
“Just answer it here.”
“I’ll-a take this outside.”
“Stop hiding things from me and just answer it here.”
Pavi sighed and answered the phone. “Fratello.”
“It’s good news and bad news. You-”
“I’m-a not alone, fratello.”
“Just say what you were going to say. And don’t fucking sugarcoat it.”
“How are you feeling, Carmela?”
“Fucking peachy. Now talk.”
“Pavi was right. It was the lipstick.”
“Lipstick?”
“And the bad-a news?”
Luigi hesitated.
“I swear if you won’t talk; I’ll march there and get the update myself.”
Luigi sighed. “The poison is not anything they can identify. The scientists are trying to reverse engineer it but…”
“It won’t be fast enough…” Amber said quietly.
“There has-a to be something…”
“I’m going to see the President. He might have the antidote.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“We’ll figure that out when it comes to it.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.”
“Maybe the Pavi should-”
“No. Stay with Carmela. We don’t know what else he’s planning.”
“Fratello, be careful.”
Luigi just grunted. “Carmela, you better fucking be alive when I get back.” The watch disconnected.
***
“Mr Largo, how may I help you?”
“Cut the bullshit. You know why I’m here.” Luigi held up the lipstick before him.
The President dismissed his secretary and assistant. Only his bodyguards remained. “So you managed to figure it out. That was quick.”
He wasn’t even bothering to deny it. Fucking bastard. “Is there an antidote?”
“Yes.”
Luigi paused. He admitted to it immediately. He wanted something from them “What are your demands?”
The President threw a document in front of him. “Transfer GeneCo and all its shares to me.”
“Only Amber can sign this.”
“Wrong. Thanks to your father’s complicated set up, all three of you have to sign the transfership. Believe me, it would be so much simpler if I only needed 1 signature.”
“And then what?”
“I give you the antidote. Plain and simple.”
Luigi just stared at the document. Pops would never forgive them for this.
“Has she lost her ability to speak yet? Once the paralysis sets in, no amount of antidote will help.”
“What guarantee do I have that you will give me the antidote once we sign GeneCo over?”
“I have no need to kill your sister.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“I guess you just have to trust me. You could of course just let your sister die. That would be one less signature I need and we can try it all again with your brother.”
“You won’t get us again that easily.”
“Hence why I want to end it now.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
Luigi stared at the document. They would lose everything. Everything pops has worked for. Everything they have worked for. Everything they owned.
“I’m not a cruel man. The resident floors have their separate entrance right? You can keep your home if you wish. As well as whatever assets that belongs to you that you signed under the company for tax purposes. There’s a reasonable compensation sum as well. I just want the company.”
“How do I know there’s an antidote?”
“I’ve planned this for so long and so thorough. Do you think I will just forget about an antidote? I’m offering to let you still live in GeneCo. Do you think I’d stab you in the back? I don’t need your sister dead.”
“How long more does she have?”
“A couple of hours at least. Enough time for you to get back to GeneCo, get the signatures, come back here, get the antidote and save your sister.”
Luigi took the document and left.
***
Amber was curled to her side; struggling to breathe. The oxygen mask wasn’t doing anything. “Is that…is that asshole…back yet?”
“Not-a yet, sorella.”
She was bleeding into her lungs. The doctors couldn’t do anything to remove the fluid because it would just make her bleed out more. She was going to die. She was going to fucking die. “What’s…taking him…so long?”
Pavi paused. “He won’t-a, sorella. It-a will all be fine.”
Amber closed her eyes and focused on breathing. It was like she was drowning. There was too much liquid in her lungs. She was fucking drowning. “Brother…if…if I’ve said…anything wrong…if…I did…anything…to hurt you… I’m sorry.”
“Sorella, don’t.”
“Don’t…what?”
“Say goodbye. You’re going to be fine.” Pavi looked at her with so much pain and fear that she couldn’t believe his words.
“Brother…I’m…scared…” She reached out her hand to him.
“You’re going to be fine, sorella.” He grabbed her hand. “I’m-a here. I won’t-a let anything happen to you.”
Her chest tightened and she coughed painfully. More blood spilled out of her mouth. “I wish…we hadn’t fought…so much…before…”
“It’s-a what siblings do, sorella.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Believe me, we’ll-a fight much more after this is-a over.”
Amber just smiled. “Promise?”
“You will-a be ok sorella, I promise.”
The door slammed open with a bang. Luigi froze when he saw her. His shattered expression told her exactly how she looked. At least Pavi had the decency to pretend.
“What did he want, fratello?”
Luigi forced his eyes away from her. “GeneCo.” He threw the document on the table. “Just sign it then I can go back there.”
“Everything?” Pavi asked somberly.
“Everything.”
Amber weakly reached for the document. She opened it and Luigi had already signed it. “Are we…not going…to talk…about this?”
“No.” He placed the pen on the table.
“We will…lose…everything.”
“He’ll let us keep our home if we wish. And the compensation would still allow us to live comfortably.”
“Brother…you can’t…be ok…with this-” Her words were cut off by another coughing fit.
“We don’t have a choice.”
“You said…the scientists…were finding…a cure.”
“We can’t wait for them.”
“Brother…be reaso…nable…” It was getting harder to breathe. “This…this…is…everything…”
“Just sign the fucking document, Carmela.”
“Pavi…” She begged.
Pavi looked at her. He reached over the table and signed the document.
“What’s the alternative Carmela? What’s the fucking alternative? Let you die?”
Amber’s chest clenched. She didn’t want to die. But losing GeneCo, losing everything? Her brothers didn’t deserve that. Not to save her. “It’s…the…better…outcome…”
“And then what? He continues coming for us and kills us until whoever is left is forced to sign. I don’t want to be that last one. Do you?” He hissed at his brother.
“Sorella, fratello’s right. Just-a sign the document.”
“If daddy…if daddy knew…”
“Papa’s dead, sorella. What-a he wants doesn’t matter.”
“Just sign it, Carmela.” Luigi refused to look at her. “I won’t watch you die.”
“If…if you…were in…my place… you’d never…have signed it…”
“It’s different.”
“How?”
“Because if we switched places, you wouldn’t have signed it either.” Luigi snarled.
Amber froze. He wouldn’t think that she would let him die, would he? “Brother…that’s…not…true…”
“Prove it.” Amber’s eyes widened as she watched her brother put a gun against his head. “Sign the fucking document or I pull the trigger.”
“You…you’re…not…serious…”
“I mean it, Carmela.” He cocked the gun. “Or we can both die here and let Pavi decide what he wants to do with the President.”
“Fratello…” Pavi said warningly.
“You…you can’t…force me…to-”
“One.”
“Losing…GeneCo…, it’s…it’s not fair to-”
“Two.”
Amber grabbed the pen on the table and signed the document. Her heart pounded. Her chest clenched and another coughing fit filled her.
Luigi took the document from the table. “I’ll be back.”
“That was-a too far, fratello.”
Amber felt Luigi’s eyes on her. “It worked.” He left.
Asshole.
***
Luigi threw the document onto the President’s table.
He smirked. “I knew you’d make the right decision.”
“The antidote.”
“And what if I don’t give it to you?”
Luigi’s chest clenched. “Then I will kill you right here; no matter how many men you have in this fucking room.”
One of the man brought in a vial. The President held it out to him. “The clause is there. You’ve given up all rights to GeneCo. Even if anything happened to me, you won’t get it back. There’s no reason to come after me. You can live in GeneCo if you wish. I have no interest in living where I work. There are different entrances; we don’t even have to meet.”
Luigi snatched the vial from the President. “If this is a dud, I will burn the company to the ground. You would get nothing.”
“This is just business. I have no qualms with your sister. The antidote will work. I will give you until my end of term to settle whatever affairs you have with GeneCo. Any…last minute surgeries.”
Luigi headed to the door.
“Nice doing business with you, Mr Largo.”
***
Amber blearily opened her eyes. She could…she could breathe.
“Sorella?”
“What happened?”
“The antidote worked. The bleeding’s stopped. They’ve changed the failing organs. With a few more blood transfusions, you will-a be fine.”
Relief filled her. She wasn’t going to die. She was going to be fine.
“Don’t-a scare us like that again, sorella.”
Amber smiled softly. “I’ll try to not get poisoned again.” Amber’s smile fell. Luigi was standing at the window, back towards her. “Luigi, I…I’m sorry. It’s my fault we’ve lost GeneCo. I-”
Luigi rubbed his head. “I don’t care about the fucking company, Mela.” He still refused to turn towards her.
“Fratello was-a so worried when he came back to find-a you unconscious.”
Amber looked at Luigi and looked back at her bedsheets. If he wasn’t angry at her, then why won’t he look at her?
“I swear, I’m-a dealing with-a children.” Pavi stood and headed towards Luigi.
“The fuck do you-”
Pavi grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him roughly to her. He forced him down into the chair by her bed. “Parlare.”
“Fucking idiot.”
Amber looked at her brother. Luigi’s gaze met hers and he looked away. Suddenly, Amber understood why he didn’t want to face her. She has only seen her brother cry once when daddy died.
She reached out her hand grabbed his arm. “I…I was so scared.”
“Me too. I…I thought I would lose you. I thought I was too late.”
Amber leant her head against her brother’s arm. He wrapped his arms around her. She felt safe. But she couldn’t let it go. She couldn’t let the fact that they’ve lost everything because of her go. “GeneCo…”
“The Pavi for-a one is-a happy to not-a work another day in The Pavi’s life.”
“Can finally get a decent night’s rest.”
“I’m not…I’m not worth…”
“Sorella enough. Dealing with one insecure asshole is-a bad enough.”
“Fuck you. You’re not any better.”
“Everyone loves The Pavi.”
Amber leant against Luigi. She felt a hand on the back of her neck. “We’re going to be fine, Carmela. I promise.”
Note: So, I saw trap door and the first thing I thought of was Phantom of the Opera. So…this is a Phantom of the Opera AU. I just couldn’t let the idea go.
Note 2: I’m really not lying this time. There isn’t much whump here, at least not as much as I usually write. Seriously not lying. Just putting it out there so no one would be disappointed that it isn’t as whump heavy as I usually do. The Largos need a bit of a break. Especially after the last 3 days. I feel really bad about those.
Pavi watched one of the opera managers stalk his domain. What did he want now? Pavi sneered at the sight of the knife in his hand. Did he think he would kill him with that measly thing? He threw his voice so the man wouldn’t know where he was. “Signor Largo, may-a I know what are you-a doing here?”
“Show yourself, you fucking coward.”
“Temper, Signor. Don’t-a you know what-a happens to those who come into the catacombs?” Pavi threw his voice into a whisper. “They disappear.”
Luigi jumped and looked behind him.
“Over here.” He whispered once more.
Luigi turned to the front. “Where the fuck are you?”
“Tell-a me, Signor, how-a do you expect to kill a ghost?”
“You’re no ghost. I don’t care what everyone believes. You’re just a fucking squatter.”
Pavi laughed and it echoed through the cavern. “You’d know-a, wouldn’t you?”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” Pavi paused. “I have left-a you alone for-a months. Why come searching for-a me now?”
“What the fuck did you do to Amber?”
“Is the prima donna still-a crying over my little joke?”
“That wasn’t funny either. But where the fuck did you take her?”
“Signore, I have-a no interest in the prima donna.”
“You said you’d make us pay, now Carmela is missing. Do you really expect me to believe you had nothing to do with it?”
The Prima Donna had disappeared. Now that was interesting. “What makes-a you think she’s here? She could-a be throwing her usual fits.”
“She wouldn’t leave without telling me where she was going. She has to be here.”
Pavi sneered. “Are you really so-a close to your sister? She tells-a you everything?”
“She tells me enough. I mean it, what the fuck did you do to her?”
“I didn’t-a do anything to her, signore. Maybe she tried-a to come down here as-a well. People who come into the catacombs-a disappear. Ask-a Joseph Buquet.”
“Fuck you. What did you do to her?”
“Nothing. But if-a she found one of-a my traps, well-a, I can’t-a promise she’s-a still alive.” Pavi didn’t bother to mention that it was unlikely that the Prima Donna could have disappeared here without him knowing.
Horror entered the manager’s face. “You bastard.”
“I check-a my traps from-a time to time. I’ll let-a you know in a week if-a I find her body.” Pavi made a mental note to check the traps anyway. Just in case he had been distracted.
“Where are they? Tell me where they are and I’ll check them myself.”
“I can-a promise you, signore, that would be the best-a way to get yourself trapped.”
“Then help me.” He hesitated. “Please.” He said in a small voice.
“Why would-a I? With the prima donna out-a of the way, I can put whoever I want on that stage.”
“Please.”
Pavi paused as an idea formed. He smirked. “Fine. But what would you give-a me in return, signore?”
“Whatever you want.”
“All my demands-a will be met?”
“Yes. It will…it will be hard to convince pops but I’ll try.”
“Fine, signor. I will-a help you.” Pavi finally revealed himself.
Luigi glared him down. “I knew it. A man, nothing more.”
Pavi gave a sarcastic smile. “As if-a you didn’t-a know all along.”
“Now I know for sure.”
Pavi looked at the knife still held in front of the man. “I guarantee if-a you stab me in the back; you’ll-a never find-a your sister.”
“And if you stab me in the back?” Luigi spat.
“Believe me, signor. If-a I wanted you dead, I would have killed you in-a your sleep. Both you and the bastard you call-a your father.”
“What’s pops ever done to you?”
“Don’t-a pretend you don’t-a know. Or do you think-a it’s some weird mercy?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Fine. Let’s all just-a pretend.”
“What the fuck are you-”
“Forget it.” Pavi headed further into the catacombs. “Are you-a coming, signor?”
*
They headed towards the last trap. Luigi was getting more fidgety by the minute. He knew the girl wouldn’t be here. If he was right, she was likely just getting high somewhere and lost track of the time.
“Why haunt an opera house?”
“Scusa?”
“Why haunt an opera house? Sure, theatre folk are a bunch of overly superstitious idiots but… there has to be a more profitable venture out there.”
“So, you’re saying 20000 francs is-a nothing but you still won’t-a pay me.”
“There’s payment and there’s extortion.”
“Ah, so it’s the principle of-a the thing is it?”
“Just answer the fucking question.”
“It wasn’t-a like Rotti Largo gave me much-a choice on where to go.”
Luigi stopped. “What are you talking about?”
“Stop-a playing innocent, signor. You know-a very well what I’m-a talking about.”
“No, I don’t. Are you saying pops arrange this? All this bullshit about the opera ghost was just some fucking publicity stunt?”
Pavi scoffed.
“And what, did he tell you to torture Amber too?”
“I didn’t-a do anything to your sister.”
“Except humiliate her in front of the whole of Paris.”
“She needed to learn-a her place. And-a my managers must-a learn to listen to me.”
“We’re not your fucking playthings.”
“It’s-a the least you could-a do for me.”
“I don’t owe you shit.”
Pavi paused. Fine, have it your way. “The last-a trap is-a just ahead. You can-a check. I told-a you, I would-a know if anyone was-a down here.”
Luigi stormed forward. He did not see how the floor differed from the rest. He stepped on the right spot. The door flew open and Luigi slid out of view.
Pavi smirked. Now for a bit of fun. He avoided the trap door and entered the room from a side entrance. He watched Luigi desperately trying to find a way out; the dozens of mirrors confusing him. Pavi stepped in front of the mirror at just the right angle. He reflected in all the mirrors around.
Luigi growled. “This isn’t fucking funny. We had a deal.” Luigi swung his knife wildly.
Pavi walked out of view.
“Show yourself!”
Pavi obliged, walking back into view, smirking.
Luigi swung wildly again. He wouldn’t find him.
Pavi stepped back. He threw the chemical onto the ground before the mirror. It burst into flames. He watched the flame appear in every mirror surrounding Luigi.
“No.” Luigi stepped back. Horror entered his face. He looked around desperately for an escape.
“Fratello.” He whispered, sending the sound echoing through the room. “Fratello.”
Luigi froze, his eyes widened. He clamped his hands over his ears. “No.” He closed his eyes as his breathing became faster. “No.”
Suddenly, Pavi wasn’t having fun anymore. He put out the fire. The room grew dark. He approached Luigi who was on the ground, legs curled to his chest.
“It wasn’t…It wasn’t my fault. Mom ordered me to get out. It wasn’t… I didn’t know. It wasn’t…”
“Your sister isn’t-a here.”
Luigi didn’t look at him. “What’s the date?”
“20th July.”
“I know where she is.” Slowly, Luigi got to his feet, a haunted look in his eyes. “Thank you for your help. I will keep my word.”
Pavi’s brows furrowed. That wasn’t the reaction he expected.
“I will find her myself.”
Pavi showed Luigi the exit and stared after him. He wanted a reaction but he hadn’t expected…that. He decided to follow. 20th July. How had Pavi forgotten as well?
Pavi followed Luigi cautiously. He seldom left the opera house and never during the day. He didn’t want to get caught. But he was curious. He followed Luigi through town who was too deep in thought to realize Pavi was following him. They entered a familiar street when Pavi realized where they were going.
Luigi stopped in front of the house; collapsed and abandoned. He closed his eyes and took a breath. He headed into the gardens. “Carmela!”
“In here. I’m stuck. I can’t move.”
Luigi ran in.
Pavi hid behind the wall; he could see Amber inside. She was lying on the ground, debris on top of her. He was about to head inside when Luigi lifted it.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I just couldn’t move it.” She rubbed her leg. It was swollen.
Luigi bent before her. “I don’t think it’s broken. Can you walk?”
She nodded but didn’t stand. “I think I twisted my ankle when I fell.” She pointed upwards.
Pavi glanced at the hole above her from the second floor.
“I told you not to come here. The place is falling apart.”
“I know.”
“Why do you keep coming here, Carmela?”
“Do you remember mommy?”
Luigi sighed. “Yes, Carmela.”
“I don’t. I don’t remember anything. Not how she looked like; what she sounded like. Nothing.”
“Carmela, you were too young…”
“I know. But I come here to see if I can remember anything. Like the gardens, I…I remember playing with Pavi. I-”
“Carmela, stop!” Luigi’s voice cracked.
Why was he faking it? Why was he pretending to care? Did Carmela not know?
“You may want to forget it, brother, but I don’t want to!”
“I can’t… I can’t forget.” He slid down beside his sister.
“I’m trying to remember, brother. But you and daddy won’t talk about them.”
“What…what do you want me say, Carmela? You were too young to remember what it was like. The fire was everywhere. Mom woke me and told me to get out. And I did and…” Luigi gripped his head. “Pavi’s room was just down the hall. If I had just…” Luigi cut himself off.
“You were a child too, brother.”
“I should have gone back for him.”
“You would have died too.”
“I don’t care.”
Pavi heard the pain in Luigi’s voice. It didn’t make sense. He planned this with their father, didn’t he? Hide him under the opera, away from everyone. So, no one would see their embarrassment.
“Brother!”
“I should have protected him, Carmela. I was supposed to keep him safe.” Did…did Luigi really not know. All this time he thought…he believed…
“It wasn’t your fault, brother.”
“He should be here. They should both be here. Not me.”
Pavi had approached them before he even realized what he was doing.
“You.” Luigi was on his feet in an instant. He put his sister behind him. “What are you doing here?”
“Who is this, brother?”
“Our ghost friend.” Luigi spat. “I already told you I would keep my word.”
“I thought-a you knew. I thought-a you were in on it.”
“In on what?”
Pavi couldn’t look at him. This was a mistake. Even if they didn’t know he was alive, it didn’t mean they would accept him like this. Why was he so foolish to think…
“In on what?”
No. He’d rather they reject him now then forever wondering what if he told them. “I…” His throat was dry. 20 years he believed his brother abandoned him. He couldn’t shake that betrayal. “I thought-a you knew I survived, fratello.”
Luigi just stared at him.
Pavi looked away. He was going to reject him. He was going to call him a monster. He-
“That’s not fucking funny.” Luigi grabbed the front of his shirt. “You think it’s funny? Is this part of your games? You have no right.”
Amber limped painfully to her feet. “Brother, what if he’s telling the truth?”
“He’s been fucking with me. The fire. Pavi’s-” He cut himself off. “He knew about the fire and he’s trying to fuck with us some more.”
“I wanted to see how you’d-a react, fratello.”
“Don’t call me that!” Luigi bellowed. “You have no right using that word. You have no right-” Luigi clenched his eyes shut. He was breathing heavily.
Pavi pointed to the room at the back of the house. “That was-a the kitchen but we seldom ate inside. Mama loved the garden and she would-a always set the table outside so we could-a run and play.”
“I…I remember.” Amber said quietly.
“My room-a was at the end of the hall-”
“Stop it. You heard me say-”
“But I hardly ever spent a whole night there. I always-a ran into your room because of a nightmare or a storm. And no matter how much-a you protested I was-a too old for it, you always-a moved aside and let-a me sleep with you.”
Luigi was silent.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Amber was staring at him, calculating.
“I thought-a you knew. I thought-a you planned this with pa-Rotti. I thought-a you were embarrassed by the way I looked as well.”
“Daddy…daddy knew?”
“Why else would-a he agree to my demands? You know what-a your father’s like.”
Luigi didn’t say anything.
“Fratello, why won’t-a you believe me?”
“Because if you’re lying; if you’re fucking with me…”
“It’ll be like losing you all over again.” Amber said quietly. “You’re not lying, right?”
“Sorella…”
“I barely remember anything. I wouldn’t know. You could say anything and I’d believe you.” She looked at Luigi and looked away. “Don’t do this to be cruel. Don’t give us hope and then take that away.”
“I’m-a not lying. There are a hundred-a crueler things I can-a do. I don’t-a have to do this just to hurt you. Ask your father if-a you don’t believe me. He probably won’t-a tell you the truth. But he’s-a the only other person who knows I didn’t die.”
Luigi still refused to look at him; refused to say anything.
“I’ll be in the catacombs if-a you decide to believe me.” Pavi turned away. It hurt that they didn’t believe him. He didn’t know why it hurt but it did. Wouldn’t have rejecting him been worse? He didn’t know what to think anymore.
“Paviche, wait.”
Pavi froze. “You believe me, fratello?”
“I don’t…I don’t…” Luigi shut his eyes.
“Then ask-a me something, fratello. Ask-a me something only I would-a know.”
“I don’t know…” Luigi fell silent for a moment. “That night…before…why didn’t you come into my room?”
That wouldn’t…how would that question prove anything. Pavi shrugged. “I didn’t-a have a nightmare; I didn’t-a wake up. What would-a answer-” Pavi cut himself off at the look on his brother’s face; guilt. “If…if-a you’re talking about that stupid fight we had, I don’t-a even remember what we were arguing about. Believe me, if I was-a scared, even if you had threatened to tie me to the tree outside for a week, I still would have found you.”
Luigi just stared at him. “Paviche.”
“Si, fratello. It’s-a me.”
Pavi’s eyes widened as Luigi pulled him into an embrace. “Paviche.”
No. Once they saw his face, they would reject him. Just like their father had. “My face, fratello. You have to see-”
“I don’t care, Paviche.”
“You won’t say that once you’ve seen-”
“I don’t fucking care. You’re alive.” Luigi didn’t let him go.
Slowly, Pavi leaned into his brother, his first human contact since the fire. He was safe. He was home.
Note: Just a nice fluffy story between 2 children. Absolutely no whump found here. :D
“Pavi, come back here now!”
Pavi just ran. He could hear her behind him. He had to get out of there. She was angry. Mama Irene was really angry. He didn’t know where he could hide. If he hid in his room or anywhere else in the house, she would find him. And papa didn’t allow them to go to the medical floors of GeneCo. He didn’t want to disturb papa either.
Maybe…
He hit the ground floor on the lift. The door slid shut on Irene’s furious face. She was really angry. He was going to pay for it if she caught him.
The lift doors slid open and he ran past legs. There were annoyed ‘hey’s but no one stopped him. He ran out the front door and stopped. Where could he go? He didn’t know anywhere to go.
Oh. Luigi brought him to the park once. Maybe he could find his way back there. Yes. He would hide there until Irene calmed down. He would hide there until dinner; she wouldn’t dare do anything if papa was there.
***
“Mr Largo, have you seen your brother?”
Luigi looked up to see a Gentern at the door. “No.”
“That’s odd. I haven’t been able to find him anywhere. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Ok.” Luigi closed the book he was reading and headed towards the dining room. Carmela and her mother were already there. Luigi sat at his usual spot without sparing a glance at them.
The same Gentern came in, “Mrs Largo, I can’t find Pavi anywhere.”
“Leave him. If he doesn’t want to come for dinner, he can starve.” Luigi hated how callous Irene was towards Pavi. Isabella never treated him that way. He didn’t understand how Irene could be such a bitch.
“Pops wants us all here.”
Irene rolled her eyes. “I’m not your brother’s babysitter. It’s not my job to know where he is.”
Luigi seethed. No, she was their fucking stepmom. It was her fucking job to care for them. But she only had eyes on Carmela and even that was the bare minimum she did. “Did you see him today?”
“Yes. He broke my favourite make-up set. Instead of apologizing, he ran off. You should teach your brother common courtesy.”
Maybe if he had a fucking role model for it. “Did you see where he ran off to?”
“He ran into the lift and it headed to the lobby. I didn’t see him after.”
Luigi froze. “He went outside?”
“Please. Your brother wouldn’t dare go out by himself. He’s probably hiding in the lobby.”
He turned to the Gentern. “Call security at the lobby.”
She obeyed and shook her head. “They didn’t see him. They checked the cameras. He left early this afternoon and there’s no footage of him coming back.”
Luigi stood. “Why didn’t you fucking say something earlier?”
“It’s not my job to baby-”
“He’s been gone the whole day. You let a 9-year-old boy wander the streets by himself. It’s fucking snowing outside.” Something in Luigi’s chest twisted. He gripped the back of the chair. He had to calm down. He took deep breaths. He couldn’t get angry. He couldn’t get an arrest now. He needed to find his brother.
Luigi left the dining room. He headed towards the lift. He grabbed his winter coat from the rack. He froze when he realized his brother’s coat was still hanging there. Damnit. He took the lift to the ground floor. He ignored security telling him that they would search for Pavi and to stay inside.
He opened the front doors and he shivered. It was fucking freezing out here. Where the fuck did his brother run off to? Where would he go? Pavi hardly went outside. He…he couldn’t be just wandering the streets by himself. It was so cold. Could he have gone to a shop to wait out the cold? That was it right? That had to be it. Pavi couldn’t be walking around in the cold like this.
***
Luigi looked around the park. It was empty. He didn’t know where else to search. He’d search everywhere in a walking radius from GeneCo. Fear clenched in his stomach. What if someone took his brother? Easy ransom or worse… Luigi shook the thought off. He didn’t want to think about it.
Luigi pulled the coat tighter around himself. The snow was getting heavy. He had to get out of the cold. No. He needed to find his brother. “Pavi!” There was no one here. “Paviche!” Where else could he look? If he was just wandering the streets, where would he go for shelter? “Paviche!”
“Fra…fratello?”
Luigi looked around. He swore he heard his brother’s voice. It began to storm harder. The wind blasted in his ears. Maybe he was just hearing things. “Pavi!”
“Fratello.”
Luigi followed the sound to a large concrete pipe underneath the slide. His brother was there hugging himself. “Idiot! Where the hell have you been?”
“He…he…here.”
“Come on, Pavi, we have to go.” The boy didn’t move. Luigi cursed and climbed into the pipe. “Paviche, did you hear me?”
“Mama Irene is…is…is angry wi…wi…with me.”
“Fuck her. Who fucking cares what she thinks?”
Pavi didn’t say anything. He was holding his left wrist.
Luigi pulled the hand towards him and pulled up the sleeve. A bruise the shape of a handprint greeted him. “Did she do this?” Luigi growled.
“Sh…sh…she was fu…furious.”
“I’m going to fucking kill her.”
“I…i…it’s ok, fratello.”
“How is this ok? Has she done this before?”
“No.” Pavi looked down. “It…it was m…my fault. I br…broke her things.”
“She still had no right touching you!” Something twisted in Luigi’s chest once more.
“Fratello!”
Luigi closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He was fine. He just had to calm down. He just had to keep his temper in check.
“A…a…are you ok?”
“I’m fine, Paviche.” Luigi sighed. He leant on the wall on just focused on breathing.
“Fratello…”
He hated that worry, that concern. “We should head back. I won’t let that bitch touch you.”
Pavi nodded slowly.
Luigi felt his heart slow. “Let’s…” Luigi froze. It was storming like hell outside. Luigi couldn’t see anything further than 5 feet. “Maybe we should wait for the snow to slow down first.”
Pavi nodded again.
“Are you ok, paviche?”
“Cold.” He shivered.
Pavi was just wearing a t-shirt and pants. GeneCo was well-heated. He must have just ran out with whatever he had on.
Luigi removed the coat and draped it over his brother. “Better?”
Pavi nodded and pulled the coat around him. “Wh…wh…why does she ha…ha…hate me so much?”
“She doesn’t hate you. She’s a bully. You’re an easy target for her.”
Pavi curled deeper into himself. Luigi could see his breath from where he was sitting. “I tr…tr…try so ha…ha…hard to be nice.”
Luigi sighed. “I know. Some people are just assholes like that.”
Pavi shivered and hugged himself.
“Are you ok, Paviche?”
Pavi nodded but shivered more.
Luigi placed a hand on his wrist. “Fuck Pavi. You’re fucking freezing.”
“I…it’s ok.”
Fuck. Pavi was stuck there the whole day dressed like that. Of course he would be freezing. Shit. Luigi looked outside again. They couldn’t go through that storm. GeneCo was too far on foot. Luigi cursed himself for leaving his watch at home. He watched his brother shiver harder. The ground was freezing; the walls were freezing as well. He needed to minimize contact with anything cold. The warmest thing in here was…Luigi himself. He was an idiot. “Pavi, come here.”
Pavi just looked at him questioningly.
“Come here.”
Pavi cautiously approached him.
Luigi pulled his brother towards him; his skin was freezing against his. He pulled the coat tighter around his brother. “Better?”
Pavi nodded and curled tighter against him. “Does…does this mean y…y…you’re not angry w…w…with me anymore, fratello?”
“I’m not angry with you.”
“B…b…but you won’t t…t…talk to me anymore… Not si…si…since your arrest l…l…last year.”
Luigi sighed. “It’s complicated, Pavi.”
“Wh…wh…whatever it is, I…I’m sorry.”
“It’s not you, Paviche.” He just didn’t want Pavi to get attached. “Why did you come here?”
“It…it…it was the last place we had f…fun. I thought I…I…I’d be safe here.”
Luigi sighed. “Don’t you have fun with Carmela?”
“Si but… sh…sh…she’s so small. I…I can’t te…te…tell her anything.”
Luigi sighed. He knew Pavi was lonely but… “I’m sorry Paviche.”
“F…f…for what, fratello?”
“Pops being so busy all the time. I know you’ve been feeling neglected.”
“Neglected?”
“Left out.”
“A little. B…b…but I had you, fratello. But then y…y…you stopped talking to me too.”
“You need to find someone else, Paviche.”
“Why?”
“Because I won’t be…I won’t…” Luigi sighed. “I won’t be here forever, Paviche. You need to get used to me not being around.”
“No.”
Luigi sighed. “I know it’s not easy to understand Paviche but-”
“I understand, fratello. Papa to…to…told me.”
So everyone knew he was a goner except for him.
“He al…al…also told me that it was my j…j…job to keep you c…c…company. To ma…ma…make sure you we…we…weren’t scared or lonely. And…and I fa…fa…failed that, fratello.” Pavi buried his head into his chest and sobbed.
“Idiot. That’s…that’s too much to put on you.” Luigi held his brother tighter. “You’re too young to be dealing with this.”
“So…so are y…you, fratello.”
Luigi was silent. It wasn’t like he had a choice on this matter. And he was 14, he was practically an adult.
“Y…y…you ca…ca…can ha…ha…hate me, if…if…if you wa…wa…want, fratello. Ju…ju…just don’t hi…hide in your room a…a…anymore. Don’t…”
“Don’t what Paviche?”
“Don’t stop living.”
“It’s better this way Paviche.”
“Fo…for who?”
“Everyone.”
“It’s n…n…not better f…f…for me; Carmela is…is…is sad wondering why ‘Weegee’ won’t pl…pl…play with her anymore; Papa is…is…is worried. S…s…so better f…f…for who? Are you ha…ha…happy, fratello?”
“No.” Luigi hated how perceptive Pavi was. He was forced to grow up too fast. “I’m sorry.”
“I…I believe papa. He’s go…go…going to save you, fratello.”
Luigi sighed. “Maybe.”
Pavi’s eyes fluttered close.
“Pavi, stay awake!”
“Sleepy.” Pavi refused to open his eyes.
He tapped his face none too gently. “Eyes open, Paviche.”
“Ow.” Pavi glared at him.
His brother was not warm enough. He…skin to skin. That’s what they did in the movies right. Luigi’s hand moved to the buttons on his shirt. Why was he still wearing his gloves? He pulled off the gloves and placed it on his brother’s hands. They were too big but they had to do.
“Aren’t y…y…you cold, fratello?”
“No.” Luigi undid the buttons of his shirt. “I wasn’t as long out here as you.” He removed his shirt and cursed as his back pressed against the freezing wall. “I know it sounds weird, Pavi. But I need you to remove your shirt.” Pavi obeyed. Luigi wrapped his shirt around Pavi’s neck. He pulled his brother back towards him. He was still too cold. The storm still wasn’t slowing. What more could he do?
Pavi shivered against him.
“It’s going to be ok, Paviche.”
“Your sh…sh…shivering, fratello.”
“I’m not cold.”
“Fratello…”
“Just stay awake, Paviche. Pops will find us soon.”
***
Luigi blearily opened his eyes. Fuck. Did he fall asleep? It was so fucking cold. He looked at his brother in his arms. Pavi had fallen asleep too. He lifted his hand; it was stiff. Luigi opened and closed his hand to force the blood to flow. “Paviche, wake up. We shouldn’t have fallen asleep.”
Pavi didn’t stir.
He placed a hand on the back of Pavi’s head. It was so difficult to move. “Come on Pavi.” He shook his brother gently. “We need to stay awake. Conserve heat.”
Pavi still didn’t move.
Luigi was fully awake now. He shook his brother harder. “Pavi, open your eyes, now.” He tapped Pavi’s face roughly. “I mean it Pavi. Wake up, now.”
Pavi still didn’t move.
Fear filled Luigi. No. His brother wasn’t… Pavi was just being stubborn. That was all. He was just a deep sleeper. “Pavi, wake the fuck up now.” He shook his brother.
Pavi refused to stir.
Luigi felt something catch in his chest. This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t happening. His heart pounded. “Pavi, please. You have to wake up now.” His brother was so cold.
“Pavi! Luigi!”
Pops. “Here.” His voice was quiet. Luigi swallowed. “We’re here!” Luigi heard footsteps running. Luigi held his brother tighter. “Pops is here. Pops found us. We’re going to be fine.”
“Luigi!” Rotti’s face appeared at the mouth of the pipe.
“Pops. Pops, it’s Paviche. I…I don’t know how long he’s been asleep. I…I can’t wake him. I…”
Rotti reached into the cave. “Give him to me.” Rotti gently took Pavi from him.
Luigi just stared after his father. His father was here. They would be alright. Pavi would be alright. His heart skipped a beat. He had to be alright. He had to be alright.
Luigi heard Rotti talking with someone outside. There were people there; doctors maybe? Pavi would be alright. Pavi was safe now. Pavi was safe.
Luigi felt the freezing ground burn his side. He curled into himself. It was so cold. His heart pounded erratically in his chest. It was getting hard to think. He was so tired. He could rest now. Pavi would be find. Pavi would be…
***
The doctors took Pavi from him. They wrapped him in think blankets and brought him to the ambulance.
“He’s not breathing.”
Something clenched in Rotti’s chest. No.
One of the doctors climbed onto the stretcher and started performing CPR.
No. Not Pavi. Why hadn’t they found them sooner? What were they doing out here in a snowstorm?
“Mr Largo, we will take Pavi to the hospital first. The second ambulance will arrive shortly for Luigi.”
Rotti just nodded weakly. “He…He’s allergic to zydrate.”
The doctors nodded and pushed Pavi into the ambulance. Rotti numbly watched the ambulance speed off. Rotti took the thick blanket from the doctor that stayed behind. He shook. Pavi would be fine. Pavi would be alright.
Rotti turned back towards the pipe and froze. Luigi was lying in a foetal position on the ground. “Get off the ground boy, it’s cold.”
Luigi didn’t reply him.
Rotti turned the boy onto his back. His lips were blue. The boy was talking and moving just minutes ago. He couldn’t have deteriorated so fast. Rotti searched for a pulse. It was his heart. It was another arrest. “help me.” Rotti choked out to the doctor. He pulled Luigi out of the pipe and laid him on the ground. He pressed Luigi’s chest desperately as the doctor called for the ambulance to hurry.
Rotti felt numb. He couldn’t lose his children like this. Why did it take him so long to find them? Why didn’t he find them sooner? Rotti continued pressing Luigi’s chest. The ambulance would arrive and take Luigi to the hospital and restart his heart like they did so many times before. He would be fine. They would both be fine. They had to be.
Note: So I asked myself many times if I would kill a 9 year old boy. The answer was: I’ll let you decide. ;)
Note: I had a different idea planned for today. I had everything written in my head, ready to go. And then this idea snaked in. I knew it would be a hit or miss and i think its a miss honestly. But…it’s different than how I usually write Pavi so there’s that… I think I should have just stuck to my original idea… But it’s done so here.
He watched Luigi startle awake. Luigi looked around; eyes widening. He pulled against the ropes but was bound firmly in the chair. “What the fuck?” He struggled more; trying to get himself free. “Whoever the fuck did this; fucking show yourself. You’re going to regret this.”
He obliged. He stepped out of the shadows and smirked at the bound man.
“Pavi, what the fuck?”
“Are you-a comfortable, fratello?”
Luigi’s eyes narrowed at him. “Is this you? Is this some fucking joke? Let me go now.”
Pavi slid out his knife. “No, fratello. You’re going to sit-a there and take everything The Pavi has-a planned for you.”
“Very funny, Pavi.” Luigi pulled at the ropes some more. “Let me go now.”
Pavi placed the knife on top of Luigi’s collarbone. “Stop-a struggling, fratello.”
“I swear once I get out of this fucking chair, I’m going to make you regret this.”
“Always-a with the threats, fratello.” Pavi nicked Luigi’s skin. He watched red seep out of the wound.
“Fuck. What the hell, Pavi?”
“It’s-a your fault papa hates-a me so much, fratello. It’s-a your fault.”
“Pops hated you because you were a fucking idiot. Let me go.”
“We both-a know that’s-a not true. Papa hates-a me because I’m a monster. And we both-a know who’s-a fault that it.”
Luigi fell silent. He looked away.
Pavi pressed the flat of the knife against his brother’s cheek. “Look at-a me, fratello. Why don’t-a you see what you’ve done?” Pavi removed the clips from his face.
“Pavi, don’t.” Luigi looked away once more.
“Don’t-a you want to see your-a handiwork, fratello? Don’t you want to see The Pavi’s face?” Pavi pulled off his mask. “Look, fratello.”
Luigi turned so slowly and finally his eyes met Pavi’s. He shut his eyes and faced the ground.
“Can’t-a bear seeing The Pavi’s face either, fratello? The Pavi can’t-a bear it either.” Pavi slid his mask back on.
Luigi was silent, eyes fixed on the ground.
“Don’t-a have anything to say, fratello? You always-a have so much to say.”
Luigi still refused to say anything, refused to meet his eyes.
Pavi grabbed a fistful of Luigi’s hair and pulled. “I told-a you to look at-a me!”
Luigi grunted and finally raised his head. Guilt shone through his features but it wasn’t enough. Pavi wanted him to regret everything he’s done.
“Don’t-a have anything to say, fratello?”
“What do you want me to say?” Luigi rasped out.
Pavi released his brother. He fumed. An apology for one would have been nice. No matter. Pavi picked up the beaker from the table. “You don’t-a have to say anything, fratello.” He placed it back down, not yet. “The Pavi is going to make you regret what-a you’ve done. The Pavi is-a going to make you feel everything you’ve put The Pavi through.”
“Do your worst.”
“I intend-a to, fratello.” Pavi pointed the knife at his brother. “Let’s go back, shall we? The Pavi was-a 12. You had-a just found your fascination with-a knives. The best-a guinea pig-a you had-a was The Pavi. You cut me so badly I had-a to get 7 stitches, do you remember?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Pavi placed the knife against Luigi’s thigh and ran a deep cut through.
Luigi cursed. Blood flowed from the wound. Pavi just stared at it in fascination.
“Fuck. Don’t tell pops. Shit. Stop screaming. It’s not that bad. Fuck. Pops is going to kill me.”
“Stop-a screaming, fratello. It’s-a not that bad.”
Luigi finally looked at him. Pavi couldn’t read his expression, nor did he care to. He wanted his brother to feel everything’s he’s done to him.
“Then when The Pavi turned 13, you decided that The Pavi was a perfect human-a punching bag.” Pavi sent a fist into Luigi’s gut.
Luigi grunted as the air was knocked out of him.
“Because the Pavi wouldn’t complain, wouldn’t tell papa.” He punched Luigi once more. “The Pavi didn’t-a know how to fight back.” He sent a sharp punch into Luigi’s solar plexus, causing him to hunch forward and started coughing. “How does-a it feel, fratello? To be unable to fight-a back?”
Luigi continued coughing. He took deep breaths and just stared at Pavi, still refusing to speak.
“You slammed-a my head into the ground once so hard, I was-a seeing stars for a week. But I was-a so scared to tell anyone.”
Luigi just stared.
“Of course-a. Then-a, you found you could-a stab the help-a and no one really cared.” Pavi picked up the beaker. “But then, well, you know what happened next. The Pavi was-a 15. Tell-a me fratello, what did-a The Pavi say to piss you off so badly, fratello?”
“I…I don’t remember.”
Pavi laughed but there was no humour in his voice. “You don’t-a remember.” Pavi scoffed. “You must-a have really hated the Pavi so much-a to be willing to do that for something so insignificant-a that you can’t-a remember.”
Luigi was silent once more. Luigi wouldn’t even deny he hated him.
Pavi showed his brother the beaker. “You’re going to feel-a every minute of the torture you put The Pavi through.”
Luigi just looked at the beaker. “Would that make you happy, Paviche?”
No. “Yes. I want you to know what-a you put The Pavi through.” He placed the beaker down on the table beside Luigi. Not yet. “And then after… Si, you never really touched The Pavi again but… All the cruel things you’d-a say…” Pavi just stared at his brother. “I…there’s no point I say any of it-a now. I can-a never make you feel as-a worthless and insignificant as-a you made me feel, fratello.”
Surprise filled Luigi’s face. Why? Why would he be shock? Every cruel thing his brother ever said to him was done to hurt him.
“The Pavi always-a looked up to you, fratello, but you always-a found a way to make me feel stupid for it.”
Luigi’s gaze was on the ground once more. He still refused to speak.
“Say-a something, fratello!”
Luigi still kept silent.
“Fine. Let’s just-a skip to the end, then.” Pavi picked up the beaker and uncapped it. “You’re going to feel the same-a pain and torture the Pavi felt. You’re going to know what it’s like feeling each-a layer of your skin burn off, then your muscles, and-a if you’re-a lucky, it dissolves the nerves just enough to signal the most excruciating pain to your brain. That’s-a all pain is-a, right fratello? Signals and chemical? It-a isn’t real.”
Luigi looked at him with pain and guilt but not fear. Why wasn’t he afraid? Pavi wanted him to feel that fear that still jolted him out of bed at night. He wanted Luigi to know what it was like to feel truly and utterly terrified.
Pavi held the beaker inches from Luigi’s face. “Do you think-a you will-a cry, fratello? I would-a suggest not to cry. The tears makes-a the pain much worse.”
Luigi still didn’t say anything but stared at him.
“Say something fratello! Fight me; curse me; beg me. Just say something.”
“Just get it over with, Paviche.” The voice was tight.
Pavi growled in frustration. “This isn’t-a fun if you won’t-a fight me, fratello.” Pavi tilted the bottle trying to get a reaction from his brother. Fear; anger; something.
The quiet acceptance however was not what Pavi was looking for.
“Beg me not to do this.” Pavi watched the liquid tilt right to the edge. Just a little stumble and it would fall out. He could actually do it. He could actually force Luigi to understand what he did to him.
“Honestly Mr Largo, with burns as extensive as this, he’s lucky to be alive.”
“Just fucking do it, Paviche.”
Pavi sighed and placed the beaker back on the table. This was not going at all as he planned. He wanted his brother to show some regret at how he’s treated him. He wanted his brother to feel scared of Pavi for once. He just wanted his brother to talk to him.
“Are you chickening out? Just get it over with.”
Pavi closed his eyes and sighed. He felt his anger sapping out leaving him feeling cold and numb. “Forget it, fratello. I’m-a bored of this.” He just wanted to hold on to that anger. He just wanted to feel something. The familiar nothing filled his chest.
“Fuck it. Just fucking do it, Paviche.”
“I wonder fratello, do you hate me like-a papa did?” It was Pavi’s turn to look away. “I thought papa was just cold, unable to show how he felt. Like-a you. And I thought, no matter what hateful things he said, he did love us in his own way. I guess-a I was-a wrong. Am I wrong about you too?”
Luigi was silent once more.
“Please, fratello, just a yes or no. It just-a makes everything easier. No more false hope; no more-a disappointment.”
“No.”
“’No’, what fratello?
“I don’t…I don’t hate you.”
“Then why do you treat-a me like this? Why are you always so cruel?”
“I…I don’t know Pavi.”
Pavi sighed. “Forget it, fratello.” Pavi picked up his knife once more. “The Pavi just-a wanted to have a bit of-a fun. But even that you have to ruin.” Pavi cut the ropes binding Luigi’s feet.
“You’re letting me go?”
“Forget it fratello, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind or some stupid shit like that.” He just wanted his brother to react, to feel afraid, to beg, to apologize, something. He just wanted to feel something.
“Just take your fucking revenge!”
“And-a absolve you of guilt? I don’t think so fratello.” He cut Luigi’s arms free.
Luigi grabbed the front of his shirt. “Just do what you came here to do.”
He did. He thought it would fix something. He thought he would feel something. But it didn’t work. “Are you going to hit the Pavi, fratello?” He mocked.
Luigi released him.
“Forget it, fratello. You’re not-a worth the effort.” He turned around and walked away.
“I’m sorry, Paviche.”
Pavi froze. He actually… He turned back to see his brother holding the beaker in his hand. His eyes widened as he realized what was going on a second too late. “NO!”
Luigi closed his eyes and splashed the contents of the beaker against his face. The glass fell with a clatter. Horrid screams escaped his brother’s lips.
Pavi could only stare. Not again. Not this… Memories of his own screams blended with his brother’s. Pain so much pain. Everything burned. He-
Luigi’s screams jolted him. He had to do something. He picked up his watch and called the doctors. “Storage B2-21.” His eyes dated around. There had to be something that could help. He spotted the crate of bottled water. His knife slashed through the box. He ran to his brother. Luigi was curled on the ground; writhing.
“Don’t move, fratello.” Pavi poured the water on his face; trying to wash off the acid.
Luigi’s screams subsided slightly. He breathed heavily.
“You’re a fucking idiot, fratello.”
“I’m sorry, Paviche. I’m so sorry.” Luigi whimpered weakly.
“I know, fratello.” Pavi sat down beside his brother. He gently placed his brother on his lap. His brother’s face was red and raw. It would scar. There was no saving his face either.
‘Would that make you happy, Paviche?’
Guilt clenched his chest. “I didn’t want this, fratello.”
“I know.” Luigi choked out.
“I wasn’t-a angry at you, fratello. I was-a angry at-a papa.”
“I know.” Luigi winced. “You hit…like a girl.”
Pavi sighed. “Does this help you, fratello?”
“A little.” Luigi closed his eyes. “Just…wanted to know…how bad it was…”
“Enjoying yourself, fratello?”
“Hurts… like a bitch.” He choked out as tears streamed down his face. “I’m sorry, Paviche.”
Pavi sighed. “I know.” They sat there until the SurGens arrived. Pavi just watched them take his brother, numb. And he couldn’t help but think that maybe their father was right about them after all.
“Do we have a deal, Mr Largo?” He held out an outstretched hand.
Luigi hesitated for a moment. He shook the demon’s hand.
It grinned. “When you wake up tomorrow, you will get what you asked for.”
Luigi nodded stiffly.
“I will come to collect payment. I hope you don’t regret your choice. No takebacks.” The demon grinned and disappeared.
Luigi picked up his drink and downed it. He wouldn’t regret his choice. Nothing would make him regret his choice. He slammed the glass down and headed to bed.
*
Luigi woke up; took a shower and got dressed. His morning routine so fixed in place that he was almost to the dining room before he remembered what happened the previous night. He froze at the door. Was it a dream? It felt so strange; so far away yet…he was sure it happened. That demon; that thing; appeared to him and made him a deal.
Luigi pushed open the door. Pavi was sitting at the table, preening. “Morning, fratello.” He sang.
Luigi froze. It was the most relaxed he’s seen Pavi in months; not since… Did…did it work? “Morning.”
Pavi raised his eyebrow. “That’s-a the politest you’ve ever been, fratello. Are you finally learning manners?”
Luigi rolled his eyes and sat in the chair. But he couldn’t relax. Pavi felt different. He felt like the Pavi from before; before pops died; before… Could it have worked?
“What’s-a wrong with you, fratello?”
“Is there ever anything not wrong with him?”
Luigi froze.
Amber sauntered in and lounged in the chair at the head of the table. Something clenched in his chest. It worked. “What are you staring at?”
His legs carried him forward before he could stop them. They wouldn’t know; they wouldn’t remember. He stood before his sister.
Amber stood. “What the hell’s your problem?”
He reached out a hand and felt her arm. It was her. “Carmela.”
She pulled her arm back. “What the hell’s wrong-”
He hugged her; pride be fucking damned. She was here. She was alive.
“What the hell’s wrong with you, goddamned cunt?” Her voice turned softer when he didn’t let her go. “Brother, what’s wrong?”
It worked. She was here. She was alive.
“Brother, you’re scaring me.”
He had to let her go. They wouldn’t know what’s going on. He had to pretend. But he couldn’t bear letting go of his sister. He thought he had lost her for good.
“Brother? What’s wrong?”
He forced himself to release his sister. “Nothing.” He mumbled. His voice was thick. He saw his brother staring at him suspiciously. “It’s nothing.” He repeated. He headed back to his seat. The Gentern put down a coffee and all but ran out of the room. He took a sip. It was bland. Fucking bitch didn’t know how to make-
He looked at the drink once more. Gingerly, he took one of the sausages that was on the table and bit into it. It was bland. It tasted like nothing. It was starting. It didn’t matter. It was what they agreed. It didn’t matter. As long as his sister was here, it didn’t matter.
“Brother.”
“I said it’s nothing.”
*
“Fratello?”
Luigi looked back to see Pavi staring at him. “What is it?” He took another swig of his drink. The whisky still burned but he tasted nothing. It didn’t matter. It still got him drunk.
“Are you…is-a something wrong?”
“No.”
“You’ve been-a different, fratello.” He watched Pavi pour himself a drink; deep in thought.
“Different how, Paviche?”
“For one, you’ve stopped-a being an asshole.”
Luigi looked away and downed his drink. “And what? You want me to go back to that?”
“No, I…” Pavi sat on the couch opposite him. “Is-a something wrong?”
“When-a papa was sick, I…I didn’t-a notice. The signs were there but-a I didn’t put it together. I… Are you-a sick, fratello?”
Luigi couldn’t look at him. “I’m fine, Pavi.”
“No. Something’s-a wrong.”
“I’ve honestly never been better.”
“Fratello…”
“I’m honestly fine, Paviche.” That much wasn’t a lie. He’s made peace with what he’s done.
*
For two months, everything was fine. He hadn’t even noticed he’d lost his sense of smell as well. Pavi still glared at him suspiciously but everything had gone back to normal.
Until the day he woke up to darkness.
He didn’t know why he was surprised. He knew this would happen eventually. He reached for the watch on the nightstand. He fumbled and felt around and finally he felt it. He called in sick and then ordered the Genterns to send food to his room.
He knew he couldn’t stay cooped in here forever. He had to figure it out. He had to find his way around so no one would suspect a thing. Maybe in the early hours of the morning, when everyone was asleep. If he could figure out how to move around steadily in the dark, no one should suspect anything.
It took him 3 days in his room to be able to dress himself and make his way around the room without fumbling or searching for things. He could memorize where most things were. The outside was a little harder, with things being moved around so much. It was a good thing the Genterns were there to keep things clean.
His watch beeped. It was 3am. The other two idiots should be asleep by now. He left the room. He managed to make it to the hallway when he nearly tripped over a stool. Why couldn’t those assholes put things back where they found them?
The stumble made him lose focus on where he was. The stool was at 5 steps from the door. To his right should be the couch. So, he just had to make a sharp 90 degree turn and walked forward another 4 steps. He walked right into the couch. He cursed.
Fuck, he had to keep it down. He felt the couch. He just had to make it behind the couch, then he’d find his bearings.
“Brother?”
Luigi froze. Why was she up? Did he make too much noise? Luigi stood stiff; refusing to turn to face her.
“You drunk, asshole?”
“Yes. Go back to bed.”
“Should you be drinking? You’re supposed to be sick.”
He was behind the couch. The kitchen was 6 steps away. If he could make that, Amber wouldn’t suspect a thing and leave him alone.
“Since when do you take sick leave, brother?”
“When I’m sick?”
“Really. Because you’ve been the kind of idiot who refuses to rest no matter how bad it gets.”
“I needed a break?”
“You? Break?” She paused. “Why are you sneaking around in the dark, brother?”
“Didn’t feel like turning on the lights.” Right, he’d have to figure out where the light switches were as well.
He headed towards the kitchen. He needed to escape the conversation.
“Brother!”
Luigi stopped himself just before he walked into his sister. When did she get in front of him?
“Something’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Look at me.”
Luigi fixed his eyes on where Amber’s face should be.
“You’re not drunk.”
“I’m having a bad migraine and I was just looking for more aspirin. Done with the 20 questions?”
“Just sit down, brother. I’ll find the aspirin.” She sighed.
He heard her head to the kitchen. Turn around, take…how many steps did he take earlier? 3 steps? Turn 90 degrees to the right. Take another 3 steps. He tripped over the stool once more. Luigi let out a frustrated growl.
“Brother?”
“Whose work is this, yours or Pavis?” He tried to kick the stool but missed. Fucking… Calm down. He was going to give himself away. Calm down.
He felt something brush by him. Amber was quiet. He didn’t like it. He could feel her eyes on him but he wasn’t sure exactly where. He wasn’t sure which way to look, so he settled on glaring at the stool.
“Here.” She finally said.
He held out his palm to where her voice came from. She placed the bottle into his hand. He opened the bottle and poured out 2 pills. He brought it his mouth when a hand grabbed his.
“That’s zydrate. The pills are glowing blue so you can’t tell me you didn’t realize they were different. I’ve been holding up the bottle for a good 5 minutes. What’s wrong with you?”
He shoved her off him and threw the bottle to the floor. “Fuck off Carmela.”
“Answer me this and I’ll leave you alone. How many fingers am I holding up?”
Luigi gritted his teeth. “I have a migraine Carmela.”
“I’ll let you go back to bed once you answer my question. How many fingers?”
Luigi sighed, 1-in-5 chance. He just turned and headed back to where his room should be. Something grabbed his arm.
“What’s wrong with your eyes?”
“Nothing.”
“I’ve been pointing a Z gun at my neck for the last 5 minutes, Lu.” Amber’s voice shook. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”
Stupid manipulative slut. Why couldn’t she just mind her fucking business? Something grabbed his chin.
“Look at me.”
He stared at where his sister’s face should be. She was about a head shorter than him. He tried to adjust the eye level. He felt something brush against his eyelash. “The hell?” He stepped back.
“Nothing at all?”
“Leave me alone, Carmela.” He turned away but he was all turned around. Which way was the door? Stupid slut distracted him. He… Which was the right way?
Something grabbed his arm once more and led him forward. They stopped.
“We’re in front of your room.”
Luigi placed a hand on the knob trying to salvage what he could.
“We’re seeing Dr Smith in the morning.”
“Carmela.”
“Goodnight brother.”
*
“I thought it could be what your father had but his MRI is clear. Whatever this is, is not in his brain.”
“I’m blind, not deaf.” Yet. “Stop talking about me like I’m not fucking here.”
“Your blood pressure is normal so it isn’t the pressure pressing on your optic nerve. No history of accident or trauma. The mechanical structures of the eyes are intact. Honestly, I’m stumped.”
“Great. Can I go now?”
“You’re not the least bit interested why?”
“Not really. No.”
“You already know what’s-a wrong.”
Not exactly. But he didn’t think demonic curses would appear on any medical exam. “The cause doesn’t matter.”
“It could be reversible. If it isn’t a brain issue, we could just transplant new eyes.”
“Not interested.”
“Luigi.”
“I’ll live with it.” It wouldn’t be too long anyway. He didn’t want to waste time in hospitals doing useless tests and treatments that he knew wouldn’t work.
“Brother, stop it.”
“I’m going.”
*
The good thing about his siblings finding out was that he could hire someone to bring him about instead of trying to memorize the whole GeneCo layout.
“Fratello.”
Luigi sighed. “Can we just drink and not talk?”
“You told-a me you weren’t sick.” He sounded betrayed.
“I’m not sick.”
“But-a something’s wrong.”
Luigi just shrugged.
“Is it-a serious?”
Luigi didn’t’ say anything.
“How-a serious?”
Luigi still refused to say anything.
“You said-a you were fine.”
“I am fine, Pavi.”
“Losing your-a vision is-a one thing. But you acting like it’s-a no big deal is-a what’s worrisome.”
“It’s like I told you, I’m fine. I’m ok with this.”
“And-a what exactly is-a ‘this’?”
Luigi sighed. “If you don’t want me to lie, then stop asking.”
“You’ve been-a lying from the start!”
“I haven’t.”
“You said-a you weren’t sick. You said-a you were fine. You said-a you were ‘never better’.”
“All true.”
“Just-a answer this then. Just answer this-a truthfully and I won’t-a hound you on anything else.”
“What is it Paviche?” But Luigi knew what question was coming. And he still hadn’t decided if he should lie.
“Are you dying?”
Luigi kept silent. He had to say something. He had to lie. He…
“How-a long?”
“4-and-a-half months.”
Pavi was silent. Then the sound of something breaking. “You said-a you were fine!”
“I am fine.”
“Four-a months…”
“I still have time.
“Four-a months?”
“It’s time.” Luigi said, neglecting to mention he wasn’t sure how much of that time he would be able to…
“What does-a this have to do with-a sorella?”
“Pavi…”
“This-a started that morning when-a you changed. This has-a something to do with-a sorella.”
“You said you wouldn’t hound me on anything else.”
“So, it is-a about sorella.”
“Let it go, Pavi. Figuring it out isn’t going to help anyone.”
“There has-a to be a reason. I need-a to know why.”
“There is a reason. And you don’t need to know why. I’m fine, Paviche. I’m fine because I’m ok with this. This is not me being self-destructive or suicidal. I’m really fine with this.”
“Would I be? Would I accept the reason if-a you told me?”
“Yes. Probably… Maybe… You’d understand at least.”
“Then why won’t-a you tell me.”
“Because I don’t want Carmela to know.”
“I won’t-a tell her, fratello.”
Luigi shook his head. “Even if there’s a small chance…”
Luigi jumped as something touched his arm. When did Pavi approach him? “Fratello…”
“I’m fine, Paviche. Really.”
“You should-a have told us.”
“I didn’t want things to be different. I’ve enjoyed the last 2 months. No yelling; no real fighting. It’s been nice.”
“Let-a me tell her you’re running out of-a time at least. She deserves-a that much. I know you won’t-a tell her.”
Luigi nodded.
*
Luigi headed to the dining room. He felt the chair and pulled it back. His siblings had agreed to allow him to be as independent as he wanted. He still needed someone to lead him outside. But at home, he’d managed to figure out most of the layout.
“Morning, fratello.”
Morning. He opened his mouth but the word did not escape. Has it been another month already?
“Brother?”
Luigi just made a voiceless sigh. He just tapped his throat and shrugged.
The two idiots were silent.
I’m fine. He mouthed.
“We should see Dr Smith later. The symptoms don’t make sense.”
Leave it.
“Brother, Dr Smith has called all the colleagues he knows. No one knows what’s going on or even why you’re convinced you’re-” She cut herself off.
Luigi sighed. Leave it.
“How can you just give up like this?”
Enough, Carmela.
“Did you know this would happen?”
Luigi shrugged.
“Then what would be next?”
Luigi pointed to his ears and shrugged.
Amber was silent. “Then what?”
Luigi sighed. They were better off not knowing.
“What is wrong with you?”
Luigi just shook his head.
“Fine. If you won’t see him, I’ll update Dr Smith myself and see if anyone can figure out something new.”
Luigi sighed. Carmela…
“What?” She growled.
Stop this.
“Why?”
You’re… He didn’t know what he could say to simplify it in a way that he’d be able to mouth it clearly. He-
“Here, fratello.” He felt something being placed into his hand. He felt around, it was long. A pen. “The paper’s in front of you.”
Luigi felt for the paper. You’re just wasting everyone’s time. He didn’t know how much of his writing was legible but it would have to do.
“How can you just give up? How can you just let this happen?”
Because the alternative was worse. I’ve made my peace.
“And that’s supposed to make it ok?”
Carmela, enough.
“No. I refuse to accept this is it.”
I still have time.
“4 months is not time!” He heard a choked back sob. “I won’t accept this.”
There’s no changing things, Carmela.
“Why?”
It just is how it is.
“Fine.” He heard her chair dragging backwards.
“Sorella, please. Let’s not fight.”
This is why I didn’t want to tell you.
“Asshole!” He heard the door slam.
“That wasn’t-a nice, fratello.”
It’s the truth.
“Turn it around-a. You’re writing over the same spot.”
Luigi obliged.
“She needs-a time.”
I know.
“She’s-a processing in her own way, fratello.”
Luigi sighed. I know. I just don’t have time to fight like this.
Pavi sighed. “We need-a to figure out a better way to communicate, before next month. Sign-a language?”
It would take me more than a month to learn that. And how the fuck am I supposed to see?
“What about Braille? It’s-a just 26 letters. Maybe not-a complete sentences but-a we may be able to get out simple words.”
Luigi shrugged then sighed. It’s something.
“What about after?”
Luigi looked away.
“There’s-a something you’re still not saying.”
Can we just take it a month at a time?
“We need-a to plan for what’s next. Like the braille.”
Luigi just shook his head.
“You are-a frustrating; you know that?”
Thank you.
“It-a wasn’t a complimente.”
*
Luigi felt the tile. A, B, C…
“Brother?” He placed the board down. “If I’m disturbing you, I can come back later.”
It’s fine.
He felt the floor for the whiteboard.
“There’s a hospital in Japan with the most advanced imaging. It’s better than an MRI. Maybe they can find something.”
Carmela, enough.
“Won’t you at least try?”
No.
“Why the fuck not?”
Because it’s a waste of time. Time I don’t have. Fuck he hadn’t meant. He hurried to erase it.
Amber remained silent. “Is there really no hope, brother?”
Luigi shook his head.
“Why are you so sure?”
Because I’m not sick. It’s complicated, Carmela. It won’t change- He reached the end of the board. He rubbed it in annoyance.
“I don’t know what to do.”
You don’t have to do anything. He rubbed the board. Just no more wasting time, no more fighting.
Amber remained silent. “What’s this?”
Luigi just gave an annoyed glare at her direction.
“This.” Amber placed the braille book in his hands.
Pavi’s idea. He thinks it would help next month.
“Oh. I hadn’t realized…”
That’s why I didn’t want to waste time, Carmela.
“How are you going to recognize who you’re talking to?”
What do you mean?
“I mean sure we could spell out our names but how could you be sure.”
I don’t think anyone would bother with the blind, deaf mute.
Amber gently took his hands and placed them on her face.
This is stupid. How the hell was he supposed to recognize a face just by touching? But he tried to feel the shape, the position of her features. Would that help?
Amber leaned into his hand. He felt his hands grow wet. It’s ok, Carmela. Amber just sobbed harder. It’s going to be ok. He repeated even though he knew she probably wasn’t watching his lips.
She threw her hands around him and held him. He stroked her back gently. He traced ‘It’s ok’ into her back. She gripped him tighter.
*
Luigi headed to the dining room. It was quiet today. Were those two idiots still sleeping? He pulled back the chair and sat.
Something grabbed his arm and he jumped back. Arms caught him and placed him back into the chair. Something grabbed his hand and placed it on a book. It was uneven. His thumb was roughly dragged across the board. P-A-V-I. Luigi relaxed. He hadn’t planned to startle. Pavi just took him by surprise. Why wasn’t that idiot saying anything?
Oh.
Why was he surprised every time? He sighed.
His hand was grabbed once more and placed on a face. His sister’s face.
O-K
Luigi nodded. It felt strange. He had no idea what was going on around him. He couldn’t see, couldn’t hear. It was like he was trapped in a dark, empty room.
H-U-N-G-R-Y
Luigi nodded. He thought it was a waste of time. But…he was grateful Pavi came up with the Braille idea. It was his only connection to the world around him. A knife and fork were pressed into his hands. Thanks. He felt the plate before him.
He felt a gentle hand on his. I’m fine. But it grounded him. It kept him there.
***
Amber saw her brother sitting on the couch. He just stared forward. She sat next to him, placed a hand on his wrist so he wouldn’t startle; and leant on him.
He held the whiteboard towards her. Not your chair.
Amber just grinned and put more weight on him.
Idiot. He mouthed exaggeratedly but he didn’t pull away.
She wondered if he realized how much he relaxed as soon as someone touched him. She took out some documents and started reading.
You’re getting comfortable.
Amber took the Braille board and traced Luigi’s finger. V-E-R-Y. B-O-R-E-D.
Luigi shook his head. Used to it.
Her eyes darted back to her documents. Mindlessly, she tapped one of Mag’s old songs into Luigi’s thigh. She turned back to her work.
A tapping into the couch distracted her. His eyes were closed; his Adam’s apple moving even though his mouth was closed. She wondered if he could hear the song in his mind?
She picked up the Braille once more. B-E-B-A-C-K. She headed to the storeroom and searched. Where was it? She grinned as she picked up an old radio. She headed back to the hall. She turned on the radio and blasted it at full volume. She flinched slightly. She placed the radio next to her brother and gently placed his hand on it.
Luigi froze. A small smile graced his lips.
She sat back on his other side. H-E-A-R-I-T
Sort of. Luigi squeezed her hand slightly.
Amber turned back to her work; mindlessly tapping the melody once more.
“What’s-a with the noise, sorella?” Pavi came in and froze at the sight of his brother.
“Ever seen him so relaxed? You’re welcome.”
Pavi scoffed.
Amber was quiet for a moment as she looked at Luigi. “2-and-a-half months.”
“Don’t-a, sorella.”
“He won’t tell us what happens next.”
“The human body doesn’t-a have many senses, sorella.”
“Touch?”
“Maybe.”
“Then everything we’ve figured out would be useless.”
Pavi sighed. “Then we’ll-a figure out something different.” He pointed to the radio. “Like this.”
“It’s like he’s here and not here at the same time.”
“It’s-a better than-a nothing.” Pavi touched Luigi’s wrist. He took his finger, D-R-I-N-K.
Luigi nodded; still lost in the music.
***
Pavi glanced at the time. It was almost 11. His brother didn’t usually sleep in. Maybe his brother just wanted time to himself? No. He’s come for breakfast every morning. This was strange. Dread filled him when he realized if fratello had fallen or hurt himself; he wouldn’t be able to call for help. He stood.
“Where are you going?”
“Fratello isn’t-a up yet.”
“Maybe he’s tired.”
“Doesn’t-a hurt to check.” He headed out of the hall. Amber was following him. He pushed open Luigi’s room door. His brother was still in bed? Pavi stepped in and froze. Luigi was staring blankly at the ceiling, unmoving. He raced to the bed. He touched his brother’s hand. No reaction. But…it was warm.
“Pavi?”
They still had two months. They were supposed to have 2 months. He felt his brother’s pulse. His took a breath as it pounded under his fingers. “Fratello?” Pavi tapped his brother’s shoulder gently. He couldn’t see anything. Maybe he was able to sleep with his eyes open. Pavi shook his brother harder. There was no response.
“I’ll call the doctors.” Amber said quietly.
Pavi squeezed Luigi’s shoulder but there was still no reaction.
***
“I don’t know if catatonic is the right word for it. I…His vitals are stable but… Watch.” Dr Smith picked up a small rod with a metal tip. “This checks for nerve function. It sends a small current through the nerve and we measure a response.” He placed the rod on Luigi’s wrist. Nothing happened. “Even if he was in a coma, the muscles would respond. It’s like…”
“His-a muscles all-a stopped working.”
Dr Smith nodded. “I would suggest to keep him here, Ms Sweet. It would be easier to monitor his vital functions and arrange for the right feeding.”
Amber nodded. “Thank you.” Dr Smith left. “This isn’t fair. We still had 2 months.”
Pavi stared at his brother. The monitor was beeping loud and fast. Wait. Luigi only lost 1 sense every time. If he couldn’t move, could he still feel then? Pavi placed a gentle hand on Luigi’s wrist. The heart rate spiked slightly before it calmed a little. “You can-a still feel me, right-a, fratello?” He rubbed soothing circles on the back of Luigi’s hand. The heart rate slowed further. “It’s-a ok, fratello. We’re here.”
Amber sighed. “What do we do?”
“The same thing we’ve always-a done, sorella. The only thing that’s-a changed is-a that fratello can’t reply. That’s-a all.”
Amber sat beside Luigi and touched his wrist gently.
Pavi sat on the other side but didn’t release his brother’s hand. They just sat in silence.
***
Luigi awoke. At least he thinks he woke up. He doesn’t know anymore. He can’t move. He can’t see. He can’t hear. He doesn’t know when he’s awake or asleep. The only thing he can feel is the soft mattress below him. He focused on that, drawing himself to the present.
He could feel the gentle chill of the air-conditioning. He could feel the blanket softly caressing him. He was awake. He was here.
Something touched his wrist. Yes. He was here. He was real.
His hand was lifted slightly and placed on something hard. Strong vibrations flowed into his hand. This was real.
He felt something tap on his other forearm. He tried to put the two together. It was an old rock song. He could feel the melody and beat come together in his mind. It almost felt like he could hear the music. He was here. He was real.
He just lay there, feeling the music. Whenever there were lulls in the music or between songs, Amber would squeeze his arm. He savoured the contact.
The vibrations stopped. Amber lifted his finger. R-E-S-T.
A hand caressed his cheek.
I. His finger hovered over the ‘I’ for a moment. L-O-V-E-Y-O-U. She hesitated once more. I-M-I-S-S-Y-O-U.
***
Luigi waited. Neither of his siblings had come to visit today. It was strange. But perhaps they were busy. Yes, that was it. They didn’t give up on him or anything. So, Luigi just waited. But no one came. Not the nurse, not even the physiotherapist or the idiot who kept sticking him with needles to check his bloods.
Wait. That didn’t make sense. The nurse at least should have come. That’s what she was paid for. And they’ve checked his bloods religiously, to ensure he was getting enough nutrients.
He couldn’t feel the bed under him. Horror crept into him. He couldn’t feel anything. Not the air-conditioning, the blanket, nothing. He couldn’t feel anything. He couldn’t feel anything.
Panic set in. He tried to force it down. He knew this would happen. His heart raced. He could feel that. He focused on his heart. But it wouldn’t slow. He couldn’t feel anything. Was he even awake? Was he even real?
Days passed or at least he thought they did. He didn’t know anymore. He didn’t know when he was awake or asleep. He was trapped in a dark void. He couldn’t escape. He couldn’t get out.
One month. He just had to deal with this for one month.
You’re not men. You’re creatures.
No. stop it. He had nothing to distract him.
He heard Pavi’s pained screams.
Stop it.
He heard his sister scream in fear.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
Just one month. He just had to deal with this for month.
How long has it been?
You disgust me.
Stop. Just stop please.
***
Pavi watched as Luigi’s heartrate was still going fast. It didn’t matter what song they played for him; how much they touched him; he refused to calm. He had been like that for almost a month now. Still they tried. Even though they knew his touch was gone; they still tried.
Amber walked in and sat in the chair on the other side of Luigi’s bed. She was quiet.
It’s been 2 months exactly since Luigi stopped moving.
Amber gripped Luigi’s hand. “Is…is there a chance-”
“Sorella, don’t-a.”
“I’m not ready.”
“I know.”
She placed Luigi’s hand to her forehead.
“We’ll-a be ok, sorella.”
She was quiet. “I keep thinking to that day 7 months ago. He acted so strange. Do you remember?”
“Sorella…”
“At first I told myself maybe he just found out he was dying and he was reacting but…”
I don’t want Carmela to know.
“Sorella, enough.”
She shook her head. “The way he held me…” He took a steadying breath. “It’s how I would hold him if he just got up and I knew he’d be ok.”
“Sorella, what-a are you getting at?”
You’d understand at least.
“He wasn’t sick. No one could find anything wrong. But he knew he was dying and he knew what would happen.”
“And-a what, sorella? You think-a he magically traded his-a life for yours or something.”
I don’t want Carmela to know.
He shouldn’t have said that. It was what he suspected but…he shouldn’t have said that.
“I…I know it sounds strange. But…” She had a far-off look in her eyes. “For the past 7 months, every night, I dreamed I died. The same way; the same dream every time. And it never feels like a dream. It feels real.”
“Fratello was-a dying and it-a affected you.”
“No. It was before. It was before I even knew something was wrong.”
I don’t want Carmela to know.
“Sorella, stop it.”
“Is…is this me Pavi? Is this my fault?” She held her brother’s hand tighter to her and sobbed.
“No, sorella.” He approached his sister and held her. “This-a isn’t on you.”
“Am I right? I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I don’t-a know, sorella. He refused to say anything.”
She sobbed harder.
“I…I just-a know whatever the cause or the reason, he was-a at peace with it.” He rubbed his sister’s arms gently.
You’d understand at least.
Amber turned and buried her head in Pavi’s chest, crying.
“We’re-a going to be ok, sorella.” Pavi just held his sister until her sobs died down.
She pulled away. “I’m sorry.”
“This is-a not your fault, sorella.”
She didn’t say anything but picked up Luigi’s hand.
Pavi just sat there and watched the monitors. Luigi’s heart was still going fast; his blood pressure was still strong. There were no indications of a man on his death bed.
He turned to his sister and she was using the Braille board. He only managed to catch -T-L-E-A-V-E.
“I don’t-a think he can feel it, sorella.”
“I know.” She said in a small voice.
They sat there quietly.
The monitor didn’t slow; the blood pressure didn’t drop. One minute the heart was racing as it always did; the next it just flat lined.
Pavi just numbly stared at the monitor as the alarm blared.
“Br…brother?” Amber choked out quietly.
Pavi turned off the monitor; the silence only pierced by Amber’s sobs.
“Keep moving.” Luigi growled at his sister. His arm was snaked across her waist and her arm was across his shoulder. He was barely keeping her upright. They came across an abandoned building. “Pavi, check if the place is clear.”
Pavi nodded and ran in; gun held before him.
Luigi could barely hold his sister up. He wondered if it was fatigue from running so long or if his sister was putting more and more weight on him.
Pavi ran out of the building and nodded. “It’s-a clear.”
Luigi followed him in and found a large empty room with no windows and a single door. “This should be secure enough.” He laid his sister on the ground.
Amber curled into herself and moaned.
“Let me see.”
Amber was bleeding from a bullet wound in her gut. Luigi removed his jacket and pressed it on tightly. His vision went white for a second. He shook it off. Adrenaline was quickly sapping out; leaving a cold fear in his stomach.
Two men had ran inside Amber’s office and shot her. Maybe they hadn’t realized he and Pavi were there. He wondered if there had been similar assassins sent to their offices as well. He managed to shoot the two rebels but it became clear that GeneCo was being overwhelmed. The GeneCops had been sent to quell a riot at the other end of town. It was a trap. They had no choice. He grabbed Amber and they escaped GeneCo. A hidden escape route that led them to the outskirts of town. Maybe it was a good thing Rotti was a paranoid bastard. Gunshots had surrounded them. He hadn’t had a chance to check if Pavi was shot either. But he was on his feet. Amber was the one in need of help.
Pavi ran up to him. When did he leave? “There isn’t-a anything in the building. Just a first aid kit but-a nothing we can-a use to stop the bleeding.” Pavi’s voice was low and serious.
Luigi pressed against the wound harder. Amber cried out in pain. “We don’t have a choice. Just bandage the wound tightly.”
Pavi did what he was told. He forced himself to ignore his sister’s cries of pain.
Luigi released the jacket and stood. He rubbed his temples as he felt a migraine come on. Fuck. Not now.
Pavi tightened and taped the bandage. “It should-a hold for now.”
Luigi nodded. He couldn’t think. The migraine was pounding in his head. He felt his vision flash in and out. The adrenaline crash plus lack of sleep must have aggravated it. “We can’t do anything but wait. We should take turns resting. Pavi, take the first watch. Keep an eye out for the rebels.”
“Si, fratello.”
Luigi laid on the ground. He gripped his head. It was getting worse. His vision kept flashing in and out. He shut his eyes tight. Why now? Why now when he needed to find a way out of this situation?
“How are you feeling, sorella?” He focused on the sounds of his brother and sister talking; trying to ignore the nausea the migraine was giving him.
“Better. It’s…it’s cold.”
“I know. Here.” There was a short period of silence, “Better?”
“Yes.” His sister sounded so weak. Fuck. What could they do? If the riots were a trap, how long would the GeneCops be distracted for? Would they have planned a bomb or explosion to take them out? Then how many men would be left? When they came back to GeneCo, would they be able to take it back? They couldn’t stay here for long.
“Just take a rest-a, sorella. Everything will-a be fine.”
***
Pavi watched his sister as her eyes drifted close and her breathing evened out. He lifted his jacket to see the bandages slowly soaking red. Fuck. He stood quietly, so he wouldn’t disturb his sister. He approached his brother who was gripping his head tightly. “Migraine?”
Luigi just grunted.
“There’s-a aspirin in the first aid kit. But-a seeing how long this place has-a been abandoned for, it’s-a likely gone bad.”
“It’s fine.” Luigi said shortly. He paused for a moment. “Are you injured?”
“No.”
Luigi blearily opened his eyes and looked at him.
“It’s just-a my shoulder. It’s-a not bleeding. I’m-a fine.”
Luigi shut his eyes again.
“She’s-a going to bleed out. The bandages aren’t-a doing anything.”
“What do you propose we do?”
“She needs a doctor or-a someone who can-a stitch her up.”
“GeneCo is overrun.”
“Maybe not-a GeneCo. The underground clinics.”
Luigi paused. “They hate us. If they’re part of the rebellion, what’s stopping them from killing us?”
Pavi looked at his sister shivering on the ground. “We may not-a have a choice.”
“It’s too risky. It’s better to wait…” Luigi grimaced, “Wait for the GeneCops.”
“She’s-a going to bleed out.”
“She’s not…going into shock yet. We can wait…till morning… See…if the GeneCops…managed to take back…GeneCo.”
“She needs-a help now!”
“I’m…tired…Paviche.” Luigi turned to his side, facing his back towards him.
“This conversation is-a not over, fratello. You-” Pavi paused. Luigi’s hair was strange wet. It hadn’t been raining has it? No, Pavi was dry. Pavi reached forward to touch it. It was thick and sticky. Pavi pulled back his hand to see it covered with blood. His heart sank. “Fratello?” Pavi pressed his hand against Luigi’s head and he felt the open wound. Blood seeped through his fingers. “Fratello?” When was his brother injured? Why didn’t he say anything?
He pulled his brother onto his back; ignoring the strain in his shoulder. “Fratello.”
Luigi’s eyes just stared upwards. Shallow gasps escaped his lips.
“Fratello, look at me. Fratello, look at me, please.”
But Luigi just stared upwards, unresponsive; the shallow gasps the only indication he was still alive.
“Fratello, you bastard-”
“Pavi? Brother, what’s wrong?”
Pavi froze. He forced his voice steady. “Nothing, sorella. Fratello’s just-a being stubborn. Go to sleep, sorella. Please.” His voice cracked and his hoped his sister didn’t hear it. He waited and listened until his sister’s breath evened out once more. He turned back to his brother. “Fratello,” He tried to keep his voice down. “Don’t-a you dare do this. Don’t-a you dare make me deal with this on my own.”
His hand was still cupped under Luigi’s head and he felt the blood pool. Pressure wasn’t going to help. Underground clinics weren’t going to help. They needed GeneCo. They needed GeneCo. “Fratello please. Just-a look at me. Just-a say something please.”
No response. No flicker of recognition. What could he do? He couldn’t carry Luigi out like this even if his shoulder wasn’t injured. And even if he could, where could they go? Back to GeneCo? They’d be shot dead. What could he do? What the fuck could he do?
Pavi couldn’t move. He couldn’t do anything but sit there just holding his brother. He couldn’t do anything but quietly beg his brother to move; to reply him; something. But Luigi did nothing but gasp quietly in his arms. Pavi could do nothing but just watch.
***
Pavi awoke with a start. He was still in the same position he was before. Luigi was cradled in his arms, his right hand cupped around his brother’s head. He was supposed to keep watch. He was careless. The blood on his right hand was crusted. It wasn’t wet. Luigi was still staring blankly upwards but the gasps were no longer escaping his lips. “Fra…fratello?” Shaky fingers reached for his brother’s face. He was cold and stiff. “Fra..fratello… No… No… Don’t do this. Fratello, don’t do this…”
“Pavi?” Amber. Fuck. She couldn’t find out. She couldn’t know.
“Give…give me a minute, sorella.” He forced his voice to steady. He forced his eyes to remain dry. He pulled his right hand back and shook at the blood that coated it. He scrubbed the blood off desperately. He had to pretend everything was alright. She didn’t need to know. Not now. Not while she was so weak.
He stood and his knees refused to support him. He had to remain calm. Amber would find out. He had to remain calm. He approached his sister. “Sorella?” His voice was tight.
“Pavi…is…something…wrong?”
“No, sorella. Everything’s-a fine. How-a are you feeling?”
She stared at him and blinked. “I..I’m thirsty.”
“We don’t-a have water, sorella.” He placed a hand on hers and froze. Her hand was cold and clammy. She was going into shock. “Sorella, I need to get-a you to a doctor. If I hold-a you up, can-a you walk?”
Amber stared at him. She blinked twice and slowly nodded. “Rebels…in…town…”
“I know. But we don’t-a have a choice” Pavi lifted his jacket and the bandages were soaked through. “You’re losing too much-a blood. We have to stop-a the bleeding.”
“It’s…cold…”
“You’re going into shock. We need-a to get you help before you collapse.”
“Rebels…”
“We have to risk it.” He placed his hands below his arms and pulled her up. Pavi bit back a curse as his shoulder protested.
Amber was on her feet but swayed.
He placed his arm around Amber’s waist. “Just-a lean on me.”
She leaned heavily on him.
“That’s-a it, sorella. I just-a need you to stay on your feet.”
“I feel dizzy.”
“Just-a lean on me. Everything’s going to be fine.” They headed out of the room.
“What…about…Luigi?”
Something tight clenched in Pavi’s chest. He forgot how to breathe for a second. “He…He wants to coordinate taking back GeneCo with the GeneCops. He will-a find us once it’s safe to get back to GeneCo.”
Amber’s brow furrowed, but she didn’t say anything.
By the time they reached town, Pavi was practically dragging his sister. “Just a bit more, sorella, please.” Pavi panted. His shoulder ached and protested but he couldn’t stop now.
“Rebels.” Amber muttered weakly.
Pavi’s eyes widened as he spotted them too. He pulled his sister into the alleyway.
Amber slumped further and further downwards. Her legs gave up and she sank to the ground. Pavi caught her and tried to pull her up. “Sorella, please. We’re already here. Just a bit more.”
“I…I can’t…hold…my….self…up.” Her words were beginning to slur. She leaned deeper into him.
Pavi caught her before she ended up on the ground. She lay against him, breathing heavily. He cradled her to him. “Sorella, please. It’s-a just a bit more. We’re just-a there.”
“I…I don’t…think…I…can…ke…keep…my…eyes…open.” Amber shivered in his arms. “It…it’s so…cold.”
“Please, sorella. Just-a hold on. Just a bit more. Please. Please, don’t-a leave me alone.”
“A…lone?”
Fuck. It slipped out. He hadn’t meant.
“Bro…brother…wh…what do you mean…alone?”
“Sorella, I…”
“Wh…what do you mean?”
“Fratello, he… he was-a shot. He didn’t… He’s dead.” Pavi shook as the words escaped his mouth.
“You…you said…”
“I didn’t-a want to upset you.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry, sorella.”
“No… He…he’s…not…dead.”
“Sorella, he’s gone.”
Amber raised a weak hand. “He…he’s ri…right th…there…”
Pavi grabbed her hand. She was so cold. “There’s-a no one there, sorella.”
“Pa…Pavi…” Deep gasps escaped Amber’s lips.
“Sorella, please.” He held her as she grew colder in his arms.
Her gasps grew weaker and more uneven.
“Sorella, please. Don’t-a do this.” Tear streamed down Pavi’s face.
Her gasps grew quiet as she shuddered and fell still.
Pavi held her tighter to him. Sobs wrecked his body. He couldn’t move. He refused to move. He just sat there cradling his sister’s body.
Footsteps approached him. Pavi still held his sister to him, tears long since dried. He just stared forward. He heard a gun cock. He looked up to see 3 rebels standing before him, gun pointed at his head.
“Do it.” He said hoarsely. He shut his eyes and waited.
Bang!
Note: In my defense, only Amber was meant to get hurt and everyone was meant to have survived. I… don’t know what happened.
Luigi opened his eyes blearily. “What the-” Where the hell were they? He was sitting on a chair; his hands handcuffed behind him. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. I just woke up too.”
Carmela. He forced his head to turn and she was tied up behind him. Pavi was next to her. “Fag, wake the fuck up!”
Pavi stirred. “Fratello?”
Luigi pulled at the handcuffs once more. They were tight.
“Does anyone remember anything?”
Press conference at the other side of town. They were heading back then nothing.
“Fratello.” Pavi’s voice was wary.
“What is it?” He growled.
“The Pavi is-a no expert but the Pavi thinks that it’s a bomb.”
That’s when Luigi heard it; the quiet ticking. “How long?”
“10 minutes.”
“Fuck.” Luigi pulled at the chains once more. They had to get out. They had to find a way out.
Pavi let out a curse of pain.
Luigi turned to see but could only see him from the corner of his eye. His brow furrowed as his brother stood.
“Brother?”
“8 minutes.” Pavi muttered. He ran out of the room.
“Brother!”
Luigi fumbled with the handcuffs more. If his idiot brother could get out…
“He…he left us.”
Luigi pushed down the hurt in his chest. At least that asshole got out. Maybe he would be able to get help in time. No fuck that. He needed to concentrate on getting out. The handcuffs were too tight around his wrist. There was no way he could slid his hand out.
“Lu…”
“It’s going to be fine, Carmela.” If he fell backwards and tried to break the chair… no his hands would still be behind his back. He still wouldn’t be able to do anything.
“5 minutes.” Amber choked out.
Luigi froze. He looked around desperately. There had to be something that could help them. There had to be something.
“Brother, I…”
“We’ll get out of this, Carmela.”
“Liar.” Amber’s voice shook. Her breath grew faster as she started panicking.
“Carmela, look at me.”
“I can’t.”
Luigi dragged his chair forcing it to turn towards her. He spotted the timer at the corner of his eye. 4 minutes. “It’s going to be ok, Carmela.”
She turned her head towards him. Fear decorated her features. “Lu.”
“I’m here.” He locked eyes with her. “It’s going to be ok.”
She shook her head. “It’s not.” She choked out. “I’m scared.”
“I’m right here, Carmela. It won’t hurt. I promise.”
“Lu, I- Pavi!”
No. Luigi forced himself to turn more. His idiot brother ran back into the room.
“There’s nothing here.”
Luigi glanced at the time. 2 minutes. “Get the fuck out of here now.”
He had pliers in his right hand. His left hand was deformed. “It’s all I was able to find.” He headed towards the bomb.
“Pavi, you have no fucking idea how to disarm that thing. Get the fuck out of here.”
Pavi stared at the wires.
There were too many wires. There were too many fucking wires. “Paviche, get out of here. You’ll just set it off.”
“Brother, please.”
Pavi looked at them and then back at the bomb. “I have to try.”
“Paviche, don’t be a fucking idiot.” 1.5 minutes.
He placed the pliers on the black wire.
“Paviche, there’s no sense in all 3 of us dying. Get out of here and find the bastards who did this.”
The pliers shook in Pavi’s hand. “I won’t…I won’t leave you.”
“Brother, please.”
1 minute. “There’s still time, Paviche. Get the fuck out.”
“No.” Pavi snipped the black wire.
Luigi flinched but nothing happened. The timer was still counting down. “It’s not going to work, Paviche. They won’t make it so easy. Get the fuck out.” 45 seconds.
Pavi placed the pliers at the red wire. “One of these have to work.”
“Or you’ll fucking set it off.” 30 seconds.
“Brother, it’s ok. It’s ok.”
Pavi looked at them once more; pain on his features. His face hardened. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Paviche, don’t!”
Pavi snipped the red wire. The timer froze for a second, then turned to zero. Pavi’s eyes widened.
Amber flinched back.
Pavi threw himself onto the bomb.
“No!” barely escaped Luigi’s lips before a loud explosion threw him backwards against the ground. A loud crack. Then nothing.
Luigi sat on the ledge of the roof and just stared numbly out at the city. He couldn’t process what had happened. It’s been a week but he still couldn’t believe…
He sat there numb through the funeral. He couldn’t feel anything. He didn’t let himself feel anything.
But now…
Something tight clenched in his chest and he forced it back. He had to force it back. He couldn’t let himself feel. If he felt it, it would break him. He couldn’t feel. He must not feel.
It happened too fast for any of them to react. The doors flew open and the gunshots flared through the room. He crumpled to the ground as a sharp pain shot through his back. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t do anything. He just laid there on the ground bleeding. He forced himself to move, to turn, something.
And that’s when he saw him. His brother staring wide-eyed at him; a permanent look of shock etched into his features. He was still. A single bullet hole through the back of his head. Luigi could only stare at the unseeing eyes of his brother. He couldn’t cry out his name. He couldn’t move.
No.
He didn’t want to think. He didn’t want to remember. He didn’t want to feel anything. He didn’t want to…
He could hear his sister screaming their names. She was alive. She… He heard the rebels approach her. And he couldn’t move. He couldn’t react. He couldn’t stop them. He couldn’t do anything.
He heard more gunshots but Luigi couldn’t scream; couldn’t react. He couldn’t stop them.
Carmela crumpled into his light of vision. He watched her stare forward; gasping desperately for air. Luigi could do nothing but watch as she slowly gasped her last breath. Luigi could only watch as her eyes turned dull.
The rebels left. They thought he was dead. They were too arrogant to check. They left him alive. And he destroyed them all. He made sure every single one of the rebels were killed. They hung the last rebel leader today.
And now…what? What was there left to do? He had only one objective. Destroy the rebels. Destroy everyone that took his family from him.
And now…
And now…
Luigi felt something cold clench his chest and refused to let go. Luigi couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t scream. He still couldn’t do anything. Something tight constricted his throat. Overwhelming pain filled him. But he still couldn’t move; couldn’t cry out. He couldn’t do anything.
He had to stop. He didn’t want to feel this. He didn’t want to feel anything. His family was gone. He was all that was left. He was the only one left.
He wanted to scream. He wanted to lash out. He wanted something other than the overwhelming grief in his chest. He wanted…He wanted…
He wanted his family back. He wanted to see his sister again. He wanted to hear his brother’s voice. He wanted…he wanted…
He wanted the rebels dead. He wanted his revenge. He wanted them to pay. He had that. He had done what he swore he would do. He was done.
A sense of peace filled his chest. He had done what he set out to do. He was done.
AKA the 4 times Pavi didn’t believe his brother when he told him it would be fine and the 1 time he did.
The first time Luigi told him that everything would be fine was when his mother died. Pavi was 5 and could do nothing but sob in his brother’s arms. He missed his mother so much and it felt like nothing would ever be alright again. He didn’t believe his brother no matter how many times he repeated that thing’s would be fine. And it took years but slowly the pain went away and Pavi started to smile again and maybe his brother was right; maybe everything would be alright again.
The second time Luigi told him everything would be fine was when he caught him crying in his room after some boys started picking on him at school. He refused to believe his brother; convinced that the bullying would never stop. Luigi threatened the boys to leave him alone and true enough, school started becoming better and it looked like things would be fine. He was beginning to make friends until papa pulled him out of school and hired tutors instead.
The third time Luigi told him it would be fine was when he had his first surgery. He was terrified. Mama went into surgery and never came back out. He didn’t want to do it. He was convinced it would kill him no matter how much the doctors promised he wouldn’t be anywhere near Zydrate. Luigi stayed up with him all night, promising that nothing would happen to him. When he woke up after surgery, his brother was next to him and he was alive. And his brother was right. He didn’t lie. And Pavi wasn’t scared anymore.
The fourth time Luigi told him it would be fine was when he was screaming and writhing on the ground. He heard the desperate apologies and the panic begging that he would be fine. The immense pain and fear didn’t let him believe his brother. He was going to die. He wanted to die. He just wanted the pain to stop. He didn’t want to hear his brothers lies. Oh god, make the pain stop. And Pavi woke up in the hospital room and Luigi didn’t promise him that it would be fine. He didn’t promise that things would get better. He didn’t promise that Pavi would be fixed. He didn’t promise things would get back to normal. He didn’t lie.
And so the fifth time, when Luigi - hand gripped tight on the bullet wound over his liver, face pale, sweat running down his face, breathing heavily - told him, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” Pavi believed his brother. Even when his brother leaned heavily against him, Pavi believed his brother. Even as Luigi’s breath became more laboured and weak, he believed his brother. Even as his brother grew too still in his arms, Pavi still believed his brother. He had to. Luigi couldn’t have lied. He couldn’t have lied. Everything would be fine. He promised. It would all be fine. And Pavi sat there unmoving, clutching his still brother to him, no not still. Luigi promised it would be fine. His brother could not have lied. His brother did not lie. Everything would be fine. Luigi was right. Luigi was always right. His brother would be alright. Luigi couldn’t have lied. Right?
Note: Sorry. I just haven’t been in much of a writing mood recently. I think I’ve gotten it all out in October (or it’s my Saturn Return or Sun in my 12th house). These are all just short one shots but I swear I’ve been trying to make them as fluffy as possible. No whump at all.
Tags: Hugs, Treehouse, Hiding, Family
“Welcome home."
Luigi smiled as he kissed his wife.
"Your son has been hiding in the treehouse since he came back from school.”
“Oh, my son now, is it?"
"You know he only listens to you.” She stuck out her tongue at him.
Luigi headed back outside and towards the treehouse. “Leon, it’s almost time for dinner. Your mother has asked you to clean up."
There was silence from the treehouse.
Luigi sighed. He hoped the treehouse would take his weight. The last thing he needed was it crashing down on him. He climbed up the steps. "Leonzio."
The boy hurriedly wiped his tears when he saw him.
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You were crying.” Men don’t cry. He nearly continued. He took a breath. That wasn’t the right thing to say. And he swore his wife would murder him if she found out he ever told their son that.
“No, I wasn’t.” He protested, even though his eyes were red. A large bruise formed around his right eye.
“Who did that?” Luigi growled. He stopped and took another breath. He could not lose his temper.
“Some boys in school. They called me a fag and hit me."
Luigi sighed, forcing back more rage. "Which boys? I’ll talk to their parents-”
“Please, don’t."
"And if they decide to hurt you again?”
“Cat has already threatened to break their bones if they do."
Luigi bit back a chuckle. That girl was too violent for her own good. But Luigi was one to talk. "That’s good, isn’t it?"
"Do you know how embarrassing it is to be defended by your little sister?” Leone hugged his knees to himself. “Why am I so pathetic?"
Luigi sighed and pulled himself into the treehouse. It creaked. Maybe not the smartest idea. He sat next to his son and the floorboards creaked some more. Definitely not the best idea.
"I’m sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For being so weak."
Luigi’s chest panged at that. It was familiar, apologizing to a distant father who was never happy with anything they did. What would his father say in this situation? Man-up. Stop being weak. Luigi sighed. He hated how close to the tip of his tongue all that was. He wanted to run and grab his wife. She was better at all this emotional crap. Luigi was going to say the wrong thing. What was the right thing to say? What would he have wanted his father to say? ‘You’re not weak.’ No… what would Pavi have wanted their father to say? "It’s ok to be weak."
Leon looked at him and looked down.
"I don’t think you’re weak. But if you feel like you are, it’s ok to be."
"It’s not what a man should be."
"Your mother would say that’s the toxic masculinity talking."
Leon didn’t say anything.
"Do you think your sister is too much of a tomboy?"
"No, she’s cool.” Leon hesitated. “Don’t tell her I said that."
"I won’t. But it would be nice if she heard from her big brother how cool she was."
"She won’t let me hear the end of it."
"Maybe. But you’d make her day."
Leon smiled. He was a sweet kid.
"You know, your Uncle Pavi was like you when he was young."
"Really? But he seems so confident now."
"He would cry all the time too."
"Did you threaten everyone who would pick on him too?"
Much more than threaten but Leon didn’t need to know that. "Yeap."
"Did you tell him it would be ok to be weak too?"
Luigi sighed. No. He called him a fag and told him to man up as well. "No. But I should have."
"Dad, I need to tell you something.” Leon refused to look at him. He kept his gaze on his fidgeting hands.
“You can tell me anything, Leonzio."
His voice turned small. "Those…those boys were right. I…I think I like boys.” His voice faded to almost a whisper.
Luigi froze. He was not equipped to handle this. His son was a f- No, he wasn’t fucking finishing that sentence. He took a breath. His son liked boys. Ok. He was still the same boy he’s always been. He- He was not equipped for this. “Does your mother know?"
Leon nodded.
Luigi took another breath. Ok so his wife has dealt with some of it. He just had to deal with his part. "Were you afraid to tell me?” He would have been terrified. Fuck. He’d have never told his father. Rotti would have…
“No. I just didn’t want to disappoint you."
'You’re disgusting.'
Luigi placed a careful arm around his son. "Why would that disappoint me? It doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t change that you’re my son. It doesn’t change what a sweet boy you are; who seems to understand your mother’s mood swings more than I do; who knows exactly how to talk to your sister when she’s upset. You’re a bright, perceptive boy. And I am so proud of you."
Leon shook at his words.
Luigi pulled him closer to him. "I’m proud of you. I’m sorry I never said that more. I’m not…I’m not the most expressive person. But I’m trying to change. You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Leon nodded and hugged him.
"I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you weren’t enough. You are more than enough.” He was more than Luigi deserved.
“No, it’s not…it’s not like that. I…just sometimes the way you talk to Uncle Pavi…I…"
It was just habit. Luigi wanted to protest. Luigi sighed. "You’re right. It isn’t right for me to talk to Uncle Pavi that way nor right for me to call him… I can’t promise it won’t slip out. But I’ll try to stop. I don’t…I don’t mean it. But it still isn’t right. I’m sorry.” He wondered how much he’d hurt his son with all the things he’d said. How many times had he called his brother a fag while his son was in the room? It didn’t matter if Pavi didn’t mind…his son did.
“Dad, it’s ok."
"No, it’s not. The word is wrong. Just know that when I use it on Uncle Pavi, it’s full of affection, not anything else. But it’s still wrong."
"It’s ok. I mean it’s just a generation thing right? Back in the old days, it was alright."
"How old do you think I am?"
"Gen X?"
Luigi just stared his son down. "I’m fucking Gen Z and don’t you forget it."
Leon grinned.
Fuck. "Don’t tell your mother."
"You know Cat already curses like a sailor right?"
Luigi sighed, "Yes. Your mother is going to kill me."
"I mean she probably comes from a generation where women aren’t allowed to curse and-”
Luigi stared at his son. “Again, how fucking old do you think we are? Your mother swears a lot as well. She’s just better at censoring herself around you two. And she doesn’t have to deal with the f-” Luigi’s face fell. He nearly said it again.
“Fop?"
Luigi grinned and ruffled the boy’s hair. "Come on. We should go for dinner before the food gets cold.” He stood and the floor creaked once more. Luigi grimaced. “But maybe next time hide in your room? I swear this thing is not meant for adults."
Note: Ok. Comfortember is going to be comfort, damnit. This is fluff, nothing more. Possible sequel to Day 25 of Whumptober (possible because I like the open-endedness of the ending and I can honestly do so much with that).
Prompts: Cuddling, Warmth, Crackling Fire, Blanket Fort
Luigi paused when he spotted his brother sitting by himself in the living room. He was sitting on the ground, in front of the fire. Luigi hesistated. ‘It’s not better for me.’ He was right. He was sure he was right ignoring his brother like he had the past year but… He remembered how devastated his brother looked. Slowly he approached his brother. “Are you ok, Paviche?"
Pavi looked up at him then back at the fire. He nodded slowly, "I…i…it’s nice and w…warm."
"Are you cold?"
Pavi froze and slowly shook his head. He held the throw pillow in his arms tighter.
Luigi removed his jacket and draped it over Pavi.
Pavi stiffened. "P…p…please don’t, fratello."
But he was warm, Luigi nearly protested. But he saw the way his brother gripped the pillow tighter. He picked the jacket and threw it over the sofa.
Pavi visibly relaxed but still didn’t say anything.
"What’s wrong, Paviche?"
"N…nothing.” Pavi’s gaze still didn’t leave the fire.
His brother never used to hide anything from him. Pavi would tell him everything. But…he supposed, he had no right to complain after ignoring his brother for a whole year. He quietly sat next to his brother. “Pops said you refused to tell him why you left GeneCo that day. Why?"
"D…d…did you t…tell him?"
"No."
"I…I…I didn’t w…want to get her in…in…in trouble."
"You’re too nice to her."
"I…I…I think she feels b…bad. She’s b…b…been nicer."
"That doesn’t make what she did ok."
"I know.” Pavi still continued staring at the fire.
Maybe Luigi should leave him be. He was right. Ignoring his brother for the past year was the right thing. His brother didn’t need to miss him. His brother should get used to him not being around. He was right. 'You can hate me if you want, fratello.’ Luigi sighed. “Paviche, I…I need to tell you something. When I woke up.”
Pavi hugged the pillow tighter.
“Pops told me… He’s never been honest with me before. But this time, he was. With the frequent arrests, my heart is… He doesn’t think he’ll get the heart in time. He doesn’t think I have long left…maybe a year… I… I don’t want you to think I hate you. So I’m giving you the choice, Paviche. We can continue what we’ve been doing. You can get used to me not being around. You-”
Something barrelled into him. He felt arms encircle him. “I…I…I j…just want to s…spend what t…t…time we have l…left together, fratello."
Luigi sighed. "Ok Paviche.” He placed a hand at the back of his brother’s head.
“Are y…you scared?” Came Pavi’s quiet voice
Terrified. “No.” But nothing would compare with how scared he was sitting in that concrete pipe, clutching his too-still brother to him.
“T…then I’m not s…scared either, fratello."
Luigi held his brother tighter. "Everything’s going to be ok, Paviche.” They sat like that in silence until Pavi quietly broke it.
“Sorella’s watching us."
Luigi pulled away and spotted his sister staring at them from behind the wall. Luigi sighed. He supposed he owed his sister the same choice. Even if she’s probably too young to understand. "I’ll be back.” He told Pavi as he stood. He apporached Carmela quietly.
Carmela just stared at him quietly.
He bent to her level. “Hey, Carmie."
She just stared at him shyly, like she was meeting him for the first time.
Luigi was right the first time. She wouldn’t remember him if he just left her be. Talking to her now was just being selfish. He stood. It was different than with Pavi. She was so young. Luigi didn’t remember anything from when he was her age. Leaving her alone was better for her. "Are you waiting for Pavi to play with you?"
She just stared at him.
"I’m done talking with Pavi. You can play with him if you want.” He headed towards the door.
“Wee-gee."
Luigi froze.
"Wee-gee, play with me."
He turned to his sister.
She met his gaze and looked to the ground. "Wee-gee, play."
It was better if…if… Damn it. "Lu-i-gi.” He bent to her level. “Say 'Lu-i-gi’ and I’ll play with you."
She pouted. "Wee-gee."
"You’re not even trying."
She stuck out her tongue at him.
Luigi sighed. "Come on then.” He headed out of the living room and Carmela slowly followed.
“Wee-gee, what you doing?"
"I have an idea.” He headed to the supply closet and picked up a tall stack of blankets. They headed back to the living room. He dumped the blankets on the ground.
“W…what are you doing, fratello?"
He turned the sofas around and threw the blankets on top. "Making a blanket fort."
"W…w…why?"
Luigi shrugged. "Seemed like fun."
"Make it higher."
Luigi smiled at his sister. "I’ll go get chairs from the dining room then."
"Fratello, I… b…b…be careful."
"I’m fine, Paviche.” Luigi saw Pavi’s downcast look. “Come help me then."
Pavi quietly followed him to the dining area.
***
Rotti opened the front door. It was past midnight and he was exhausted. Why was he still doing this? The doctors had already insisted that there was no hope. Was foolishly working on the heart really the best option? Or should he be spending time with his family instead? He didn’t know. If he stopped working on the heart, it meant he was giving up. He couldn’t give up.
Rotti froze as he entered the living room. Blankets were strewn everywhere. Furniture that belonged to various other parts of the house were placed haphazardly. What was this mess? Weren’t the Genterns supposed to be keeping the house clean?
That was when he spotted his children. They were curled up against each other in front of the fire. Rotti let out a small smile and decided against waking them. He headed to bed.
