Y/N POV

My eyes widened as I looked down at the figure that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. I knew of course, that the they had actually been there the whole time and were only using an illusion to make themselves invisible.

What really interested me was that I instantly knew who this person was. She may have been tucked away in the shadows during the big meeting however I still recognized her. It wasn't much of a stretch either. The woman who now was in front of me was none other than Donna Beneviento. The second of the village's four lords.

I felt anger fill me and without a moment's hesitation, I grabbed her by her black dress. Since the hallucinations had ended, I had my weapons back so I reached for my handgun and aimed it directly at the Dollmaker's forehead.

I didn't shoot though. I really wanted to. I hadn't hesitated with Dimitrescu so what made this different? In the commotion with me tackling Donna to the ground, the black veil that usually covered her face was pushed aside allowing me to get a good look at her.

The right side of her face was consumed by a large bloated growth-like tumour that covered her right eye. Even with that, she seemed quite pretty. The left side of her face though just stared up at me with an expression of pure TERROR.

This wasn't like Daniela Dimitrescu who simply used fear to catch me off guard. No, this expression seemed genuine. Donna Beneviento seemed to be scared of me and for some reason, that caused me to freeze up entirely.

We both remained like this for a moment, I kept my grip on the front of her dress with my handgun aimed at her forehead. I could have ended things right here, been done with her and saved me and Ethan the same trouble we'd had to go through with Dimitrescu and her daughters. But, I didn't.

Eventually, I let go, stepped back and bit and snapped to myself "Damn it! Why?!" I placed a hand to my head as I just slumped there, mentally questioning myself when Donna suddenly stood up, making her veil fall back into place and began to walk away towards the stairs.

Even if I found myself unable to finish her off, I wasn't about to just let her walk away as my head shot up and I exclaimed "Hey! You aren't going anywhere!" I raised my handgun to point it at her back making her stop in her tracks.

Donna slowly raised her hand and made a gesture with it. I just about heard a quiet voice come out from under the veil. It was difficult to make out, however I managed to hear her instructing. "Follow me."

Cautiously, I got to my feet as she continued heading back to the entrance hall. I kept both my eyes and my gun trained on her as we descended the staircase instantly heading through the door leading to that sitting area with all the dolls.

It was at this point, I'd had enough of whatever game she was playing so this time I instructed. "Okay, that's enough." She stopped as I gestured to the wooden table and the chairs surrounding it as I said "Sit."

She did exactly that, as I sat opposite her. Given how my interactions with Dimitrescu had been, I couldn't have guessed I'd be sitting down opposite the second lord I'd encounter. I gave Donna a look of suspicion when she suddenly asked.

"Why? Why didn't you shoot?" I honestly didn't know how to respond, I thought for a moment before sighing and saying "I don't know really. It's just-." I trailed off, realizing I had no idea where I was going with this, simply finishing "-Nevermind."

There was silence for a moment. I couldn't tell what Donna's expression was due to the veil completely covering her face, the doll from earlier remained perched on her lap, completely lifeless and unmoving. Just as I was considering saying something though, Donna broke the silence by quietly saying "Thank you."

Judging by the quiet and strained tone in her voice, I knew she didn't speak often herself. I replied in a blunt tone "Don't mention it." Just because I was willing to be polite with Donna, didn't mean that I was alright with what she'd done to us since arriving here.

I added shortly after "If you'd be so kind, I could do with you answering some questions." Donna's head made a faint nodding motion indicating that she agreed. I wasted no time going in with my first question.

"What's your story? What makes you so isolated? I noticed you during that meeting, tucked off in the shadows, instead using that doll to talk." I pointed to the doll to which Donna abruptly said "Angie."

I raised an eyebrow in her direction as she replied "Her name is Angie." I just let out a hum as Donna stated "I don't usually talk to visitors directly." It was at this point, the Angie doll in her arms slowly began to look up at me.

It suddenly shrieked "SO, YOU WANT ANSWERS DO YOU?! I'LL HAVE TO FILL YOU IN ON HOW THINGS WORK HERE!" I cut her off "Just explain to me why you and your little puppet here had to waste mine and Ethan's time with those damned hallucinations."

Angie laughed "IT'S SIMPLE REALLY! MOTHER MIRANDA WANTED YOU BOTH TO EXPERIENCE TRUE FEAR IN THIS PLACE! YOU WERE LUCKY TO HAVE ESCAPED, WHAT'S TO SAY ETHAN WINTERS MANAGED TO DO THE SAME?!"

I slammed my fist on the table snapping "Cut your doll's crap Donna! Answer my question! How does the hierarchy work here?" Donna flinched from my outburst and strangely enough, so did Angie as I asked "What do you gain from this?"

Again, Angie just laughed "HAHAHAHAHA! THAT'S MOTHER MIRANDA'S BUSINESS! WE MAY BE THE YOUNGEST OF HER CHILDREN HOWEVER ONCE WE'VE BROUGHT YOU TO HER AND WINTERS HAS BEEN DEALT WITH, MOREAU AND HEISENBERG WILL LEARN WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO BE OVERSHADOWED!"

I stared at her wide-eyed for a moment before finally saying "So, that's it? I understand." Donna was the youngest sibling and therefore felt overshadowed by the other lords. I'd grown up a similar way with Mia when we were kids, just not to that extreme.

I realized the best way to appeal to Donna would be to try and relate to her. "Donna, look, I know what it's like to be overshadowed by an older sibling. But harming people isn't the way to make yourself feel better." 

Angie squawked "IT'S WHAT MOTHER MIRANDA DESIRES!" I moved on to the next question "How do you know so much about my personal life? How did you find out about Zoe? Or Mia?" Again, Angie brought up "MOTHER MIRANDA HAS BEEN DOING SOME DIGGING INTO YOU Y/N L/N!"

I facepalmed, beginning to grow annoyed now as I said "Donna, please, just speak to me directly. Your doll is really beginning to piss me off now." Angie snapped "HEY! YOU DARE TALK ABOUT ME LIKE THAT!"

After that, Angie just went still again and Donna's voice could be heard saying "You're lonely. Like me. You are unable to communicate with those you care about aside from your sister. You feared failing them three years ago. Leaving them to suffer."

My eyes widened however I asked "What did you mean by 'like me'." Donna sighed under her veil before explaining "My parents died many moons ago, since then I only had minimal company. Even those I did grow close to eventually perished."

My mind thought back to that gravestone we'd seen outside in the mist. I asked "And that grave outside? Who was that for?" Donna paused for a moment before saying a single name "Claudia." I remembered that some of the name was missing, presumably the grave had read Claudia Beneviento.

It was at this point my opinion of Donna had begun to change, I didn't feel angry at her as such. Now I just felt pity, sadness. She was a girl who'd lost everyone close to her, and it seemed Mother Miranda had exploited that to bring her under her thumb and make her like this. She'd suffered just like me, Mia and Zoe had in Louisiana thanks to Eveline.

I didn't want to push the matter of Claudia's identity further, instead I had an idea. "Donna, I'm going to make you an offer. Tell me where the flask is, and that will be the end of it. This experience doesn't need to end in further bloodshed for either of us."

Donna seemed to just stare at me before she said "I cannot. Mother Miranda was very clear. I fear what she would do should I fail." I instantly suggested another idea that seemed out of nowhere but I literally thought of it on the spur of the moment.

"Then why don't you leave this us?" She completely froze up at this asking "What?" She calmed down, shaking her head "No, no, that wouldn't work. I have never left this village and likely never will. Where would I go, with this?" 

She pointed towards her face through the veil, I could tell she was referring to the tumour I'd seen briefly before. I went on to explain. "I could help you. There is a large world out there." Abruptly Angie laughed "YOU'RE INSANE! WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU?!"

I explained "I often find forgiveness hard. It took me a while to forgive that family that kidnapped me. Don't get me wrong Donna, I don't know what you did to Rose, and this doesn't make us friends, it's just when you explained yourself, I couldn't help but understand. I'd giving you a second chance."

Once again, this fell into silence as Donna said "I am sorry. For hurting you and your family." I nodded and said "No problem. Just if you'd help me, one person to another, I would be very grateful."

Donna appeared to be lost in thought, when she finally said "No, I can't leave this place. But I won't interfere with you anymore. Go and find the flask, find your brother in law and leave as quick as you can."

Standing up, I said "Okay, if that's what you want, I won't force you." Donna remained sat in the chair with the motionless Angie in her arms. As I was about to leave she called quietly "Y/N." Turning around she said. "Thank you for sparing my life."

I just nodded and replied "Like I said, this is me giving you one chance. Please, don't make me seem like a fool." I got up and began to walk out of the room, as the door closed my eyes were wide. I felt everything had gone a complete 180.

I went from hating Donna for the whole illusion thing, to actually pitying her and giving her one chance. I nearly gave this chance to Daniela in Castle Dimitrescu, but she soon proved herself to be untrustworthy and attacked me as soon as my guard was down.

I just hope Donna would uphold her end of our agreement...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter. I really hope you liked it. Now we're already nearing the end of House Beneviento, the reason it's so short is because I felt this area was already quite short in the game, we will get a bit more of it later on. I should say now though, Donna is NOT a love interest in this book. Initially she was going to have the same role as Zoe, however I've kind of given Zoe more of a role, originally she wasn't going to be mentioned in this segment at all, I'm glad I changed my mind there. I do hope you enjoy the chapters that are still to come and as always, thank you for reading.