My Protective Badboys

In Kindness There is Evil

Eliza

    After nearly melting my skim off due to the hot water, I step out of the shower and I look around for a towel. I look in all of the cupboards and drawers but I can’t seem to find any. I cautiously peek my head out into the dim bedroom, in which is only partially lit up from the sun, and I see a set of towels laying on the edge of the large bed. I look over to the door and the door is shut, so shyly and quickly I walk over to the bed and grab the towels and run back to the bathroom, as it felt as if someone was watching me the whole time. Once I was behind the door, I let out a breath of relief that I did not know I was holding in.

    After drying myself off, I slowly tug on my favorite stonewashed, extremely ripped skinny jeans and I grab out a cropped hoodie to pull on over my black sports bra. I walk out of the bathroom and put my shower bag on the floor next to the bed and I put the towels on before I set the towels in the hamper. I silently walk around the room looking for my high top black converse and eventually find them under the bed. I must have kicked them this morning when I woke up. I pull my shoes on and I stand up and walk to the floor length mirror that is hanging on the closet door and I inspect myself to make sure I look presentable. Satisfied with the way I look I turn around a little too quickly and make myself dizzy along with my damp hair wrapping around my face. Once I finger comb my hair I walk over to the bedroom door to leave the room but I hesitate before turning the door knob.

    Finally gathering up the courage to leave the little bit of safety that this unfamiliar room has provided me I pick my phone up from the nightstand and cross the short distance to the door. I quickly open the door and step out into the hallway, looking both ways as if I am crossing the street. Hesitantly I make a right, down the hallway and I reach a set of grand stairs that tower over a lavish foyer with quartz flooring. I reach the bottom of the stairs I hear faint voices to the left of the foyer and I begin to walk towards them. I immediately hear my mother voice after hearing a mans voice ask, “If I may ask, what happened to her, is she ok?” he says in a heavy Italian accent. “She was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression when she was twelve.” My mother says back, pausing before continuing, "Her, um older brother had kidnapped her while I was at work, when I got back I couldn’t find them and three days later, the police found him, three days later, in the basement of his house, they apprehended him and they took her to the hospital. She was r***d for three days, she had cuts all over her legs, stomach, chest, back, and neck, even her arms. That was three years ago. The judge sentenced him to three years in prison correctional facility as it was his first offense, he got out yesterday morning on good behavior and we packed our things and fled from the U.S. As we got on the plane yesterday evening he found us at the airport but he didn’t see us although we could hear and see him, she still has nightmares. She takes showers that burn her skin because she has told me she can still feel his hands and his knife on her.”

    The room falls silent as I walk through the entryway, surprised to see all of them not just the father of the two boys. My mother still has a look of horror on her face and I act like nothing's wrong, although my skin is still red from the shower. “I don't believe we were properly introduced, my name is Mateo Mancini, you are?” He says in a gentle tone. “My name is Eliza Woods, Grazie per aver aperto la tua bella casa a me e mia madre.” (translation: thank you for opening your home to me and my mother) I say calmly as I extend my hand for him to take. He takes my petite hand in his large calloused hands and shakes it contently. I look around the kitchen and see the two identical boys, looking directly at me. I hesitantly walk over to them and I say “Ciao, mi chiamo Eliza, vero? (Translation: Hi, my name is Eliza, you are?”) I hold my hand out for one of them to take. They stand up straight and the one on the left steps forward, hand outstretched, “Im Luca, this is my brother Niko.” he says while shaking my hand. He releases my hand and I turn to Niko, taking his hand I say, “Nice to meet you guys.” I say with a smile plastered on my face.

    The kitchen fell into an awkward silence as we all looked at each other. I choose to break the silence by saying, “So mom, not to disrespect, but what are we doing here?” I say cautiously not to cause anyone to get angry. She turns to me with a soft look, “well we got in pretty late and when we pulled into our house it was still locked up, I called the agent and there was a misunderstanding of our arrival time. Our kind neighbors let us stay in their home for the night. I have to go meet with the agent today so we can get the house.” She says casually. I turn back to whom I'm guessing is the twin’s father and I say, “Thank you for kindly opening your home to my mother and I, I greatly appreciate it.”  I say sincerely as he gives me a kind smile in return. “Mateo, may I speak with you in the other room please?” My mother says cheerily. “Of course, right this way Amelia.” he says as she follows him out of the kitchen.

    Suddenly I can feel two sets of eyes on me, they feel as though they are burning holes into my skin. I am all to aware of the three of us being alone and my hands begin to tremble, my body begins to shake and it feels as though there is a weight that has been dropped onto my chest. Just as my vision begins to tunnel and blacken, I hear voices that pull me out of the rabbit hole that I began to enter. I feel little tingles shoot through my arms and they lift the weight off of my heart. “Hey, Eliza, are you alright?”  I hear one of them ask calmly, while the other just rubs my back to help me breathe. I suck in a breath I did not know I was resisting and I hesitantly nod my head. “Would you like some water,or something to eat,”  they say one after the other. I manage to croak out “Water, please.” One of the boys leaves my side to get a cup of water while the other continues to rub my back, continuing to make my chest lighter with each passing of his hand.

    My mother walks back in the kitchen with Mateo and stops in her tracks. “Eliza, honey are you ok?”  she says worridley. I nod my head yes to reassure her. She gives me a very condescending look and I just look down to the granite counter tops. “Well, I have to go meet with the agent for our house, Mateo has graciously allowed you to stay here while I do that, I don’t know how long I will be, but if anything happens call me ok?” she says to me. All I can do is nod my head yes even though my mind is non stop racing with fear. As my mother leaves to go meet with the agent, I find myself left alone with the three unfamiliar men. “Would you like anything to eat, I am going to make some chicken fettuccine for lunch” Mateo says. “Umm no thank you, I’m not very hungry right now, I think I’ll go back to the bedroom so I am out of your hair,” I say calmly, as he gives me a supportive look. He nods slightly as I leave the room, catching Luca’s and Niko’s eyes as I depart.