Gemma:

I keep seeing the same faces every time I close my eyes. I was taken from my family when I was five, which means I haven't seen them in almost ten years. To be completely honest in a few months it will be exactly ten years. Ten year far too long. Being completely honest again, I never thought I would see my family again. Every time I close my eyes, I can see faces.

The same faces.

I should remember who they are. But I don't.

I can't remember who they belong to. I remember I had two loving parents and way too many brothers to count. I had two brothers who was always with me. We had done practically everything together it seemed like. I remember two brothers who were always an arse to me because I would get mom's attention when they wanted it. I wasn't a nice princess either; I would throw a fit when they got her attention when I wanted it. So, I guess fair was fair or an eye for an eye. My eldest brother always protected me from bullies. He would always tuck me in and would read a book to me. My second oldest brother would tuck me in at night when my eldest brother couldn't. He also would read me stories to get me to fall asleep like my eldest brother. He always would make my boo boos better when I would fall. My third oldest brother always scared my nightmares away. He was always my hero, and he always will be even if he is now forever gone. Those memories I hang on to for dear life. Those three were my favorites back then. I don't remember their names or what they look like exactly anymore except at night I see faces I should recognize. I should remember, who happen to haunt my dreams. They haunt me as soon as my eyes close. Once their faces pop up, I always end up wide awake again afraid to fall back asleep, in fear of seeing them all over again. You're wondering why I hate it; I will tell you exactly why. Guilt. I feel guilty because I should remember who they are, but I don't. I also feel like I'm missing those faces; like my subconscious is longing for those familiar faces.

"Gemma!" Lance whisper yells at me.

"Huh?" I ask.

"Were you even listening?" Ashton all but yells. I flinch back at his voice. Ashton and Lance don't let my actions go unnoticed.

"We said Mom and Dad will be home in the next hour. Please do as they say. We can't stand to see you get hurt." Lance softly says

"I will listen I promise." I promise them.

"Good, we'll help with the cleaning; so, you can get dinner ready on time." Ashton tells me sternly.

You see, if I don't have food on the table when they walk through the doors. I'm punished and beaten. If I miss a single speck of dust; it's worse. If I back talk.... It's even worse. When I was taken, I was shipped to England. Taken from my home country.
My home. My solace. My family. Italy.

I waited for years for my family to find me. I mean my family was the strongest Mafia in the world at that time. I just can't remember what our last name was.

So, it shouldn't have been hard, right? So, did they give up on me? Did they think I was dead?
Why was my life snatched away from me?

Those are my unanswered yet unasked questions. I don't ask simply because I don't think I could handle the truth or handle a near death beating again. I have two 'brothers' now. But they don't fill the void I have in my heart that's longing for my brothers. Every one of them. Even the arses.

They aren't mean to me like their parents are. They just don't defend me like brothers should. I mean they did try a few times, but they got beat worse than I had. In a way I don't blame them for not helping me in that way. I always felt bad when they took my beatings for no apparent reason. They finally quit stop taking my beating and for months never helped me. The past year or two Lance concluded that they'll try to help me stay out of trouble as much as possible. They would eavesdrop on their parents to see if they concocted a plan to punish me. Over like a dinner they didn't tell me they wanted. Or help with chores. Simple stuff like that. However, they won't try to protect me from the beating. All I must do is remember and not to sass back. They protect me in way, if you think about it. I think?!

I got to keep my name, well except my last name. I don't even remember my last name.

What was my original last name again?

How would I know? I'm your subconscious.

I mentally roll my eyes at myself. Stupid voice in my head always has some smart comment. I sleep in the attic on a mat that you use for naps in a daycare.
Yeah, that's my bed. In the far dark corner is where my small bathroom. My room never gets any light. My room has a very microscopic window and it happens to be the darkest room in this house except the basement. The dark still scares me. Again, I absolutely hate the dark!

Scaredy-cat

Shut up!

Even though I don't eat normal sized three meals a day. I am not skinny like I've been starved; I am in my weight area that I am supposed to be in for my small height. That is all thanks to Lance and Ashton. Since their parents let them have a mini fridge in their rooms with tons of snacks. They are always sneaking snacks and healthy foods into my room for me. Unfortunately, I get the crumbles at breakfast and at school Lance or Ashton buys my lunch for me. I never have the money to pay for it.

You could always steal their parents' money.

No! That'll get me into a deeper hole! Stupido.

I have made baked ziti and eggplant parmesan stacks with a salad for dinner. I gently place everything on the table including the plates, utensils, and their drinks. Their parents have wine in their cups ready for when they sit their crusty rear ends down. Roagna Crichet Pajé Barbaresco is their favorite kind but we're out; so, I had to make do with Vittorio Bera e Figli Ronco Malo Barbera d'Asti. It's all we had.

Should have stolen some from the store.

Shut it.

You could have asked the twins for money and got it.

Could not! I'm not old enough to even buy it!

Again, should have stolen it.

No, I couldn't have!

We're going to get beat because of you.

Will not!

It's always a mental war with my subconscious, call me crazy. It's honestly okay because I think I have gone mental. I just out of my argument with my self when the front door opens. Which means I must walk like I am walking on eggshells. I no longer feel safe when they both are present. I mean I don't feel any safer with just one present, however, when both are present; I'm never safe. I slink back into my favorite dining room wall. It's the furthest away from the dining room table. The furthest away from those two evil people. I like to try to stay hidden in the small corner as they sit their crusty butts down with their sons. Please taste all right because I can't do another beating again.

Like last night.

Or the night before?

Shut it.

I watch as they take their first bite. They seem to like it which means no beatings for me tonight.

So, you think. They haven't tasted the wine.

Be quiet!

"You're dismissed Gemma you may go to your room." His voice sounds harsh and raspy. I scurry from my small darken corner and head towards the door until I heard someone cough. I flinch from the sound and immediately freeze in my spot.

Fudge.

I told you!

Please God don't stop me.

God can't help us now Gemma. We're donezo.

"What the fuck is this?" Her voice sounded like a banshee.

See you should have listened to me!

Not now dude!

"Gemma! What is the meaning of this?" His voice booms off all the walls. I flinch again. Of course! I should have known I wouldn't catch a break.

I fucking told you so!

I mentally roll my eyes at myself. I slowly turn around and remember to keep my eyes on the floor. Don't look the devils in their eyes.

God, forbid you do. We're already in enough trouble because of you.

Shut the hell up!!

"Vittorio Bera e Figli Ronco Malo Barbera d'Asti is all we had." I mumble out. Her wine glass shatters into the wall which barely misses my head by centimeters. The shards of small glass are now nesting in my hair.

Just grand! That's going to take forever to get out of there.

Maybe if you shake your head like a dog, it will fly out of your hair.

Not now!

Just coming up with easier ways to get it out your hair.

"We will deal with you later. Your room now!" His voice rattles the wall. I swear Hell heard him from up here.

"Yes sir." I mumbled out.

I run with my ribs aching from last night's beating all the way down the hall. I pull the string that slings my ladder down. Once I am up in my room, I pull my ladder back up and the small latch automatically closes. I walk over to my small window and watch as the birds begin to fly off from the tree by my small window. Counting down the seconds until my peace will end. My peace ends all too soon for my likings. I hear his footsteps and her heels clacking loudly against the floor. Fear starts to seep into my bones and my whole body begins to shake. I can hear my small latch open, and the squeaking of the old ladder being pulled down. The old ladder begins to creak, and my eyes become the size of basketballs.

They're coming!

Run!!!

Run where stupido? We're cornered!

A traitor of a tear fell from my eyes.

"GEMMA!" He roared.

I anger him when I answer him, but I also anger him when I don't answer him. I knew instantly that I went wrong with option two. Option number one was the better option. Because, I have honestly angered him more when I didn't answer. Seconds later, I feel the slap across my cheek. He hit me with so much force my head snaps to the right.

"When I call you, you come. You are a disrespectfully ungrateful brat!" He screams in my face.

I still didn't respond. How could I? I just look down at my feet with tears slowly falling down my cheeks and making a splat sound on my bedroom floor. I knew I royal fucked up when I feel his hand in my hair. He pulls me by my hair and starts to drag me towards my small opening.

Oh God no!

Not the basement!

I try to resist which didn't work at all. I try to fight back which didn't help me any either. The voice in my head suddenly disappears into the darkest part of my brain.

Now you shut up?!

....

What the hell?!

All that my quietness and fighting led me to is being thrown from the attic. I miss the stairs completely and landing flat on my back in the main hallway floor. The wind is knocked out of me while my skull crashes into the floor like a bowling ball taking out the pins. However, my head wasn't the ball because the floor took me out instead. He snatches me up by my hair and begins to drag me down into basement.

His torture chambers.

My arse bounces off every step going down. My vision slowly starts to blur but I can still see her plain as day. She comes in with a rod that is so hot; it is glowing red on the end. She hands the rod to the evil sinister man while she takes his place holding me in place by stepping on my stomach. Her six inch stiletto begins to cut into my flesh. My only thought is how are her heels so sharp? Are they made out of knives? He presses the rod dead center of my spine and all you can smell is burning flesh. It makes anyone with an iron steel stomach want to gag and vomit. He holds it there longer than normal. This one will match all the other scars on my back, except it will be more prominent. This scar will stand out not because it's new and fresh. It'll stand out amongst the others because he's held it in place longer than usual. The scars on my back are from cattle prongs, cigarette burns, whip scars, boiling water. You name it. It's probably already been done to me. I don't make a sound because it will make my punishment worse. Once he removes the rod from my back. He walks away causing me to think my punishment is over...... It wasn't. He comes into view with a bat. Can't my punishment be over with?

"Why did I steal you for? Why couldn't I just have killed you. That would have taught Lucifer a lesson." He yells so loud I thought I lost my hearing.

Who the hell is Lucifer?

I don't know but you gone missing was apparently going to teach him a lesson.

Now you show back up? And how is my disappearance going to teach this Lucifer person a lesson?

Quite complaining I am back now. And how would I know?! I am you!!

Me being distracted by talking to the voice in my head I never seen him until it's too late. He swings the bat like he was swinging at an intruder.

Me.

I was the intruder.

Obviously. No one else here is the supposed intruder.

The bat connected to the side of my head and darkness my not so nice friend came. Their faces it haunts me in the dark. They haunt me at night. They haunt me in my dreams. Who are they? I woke up back inside my small room.

How?!

I don't know I was unconscious with you!

I don't want to find out.

Neither do I!

Food is in the corner on my Slytherin luggage with some bottles of water, pain medicine, and antibiotics. Some gauze and bandages are also beside them. I touch my throbbing head and notice it now wrapped up. I lift my shirt and see I am wrapped around my ribs, the wrapping went all the way around my back. I crawl toward my Slytherin luggage because I am terrified that I will collapse if I stand. I see there's two small notes tucked under it.

'I managed to sneak you back into your room with Lance's help of course. I also snuck in food and water. I love you like a sister. Well, you are pretty much like my sister.

Love Ashton'

'I bandaged you the best I could. Take the medicines for your head and back. One will keep infections away while the other helps with the pain. I'm sorry I wasn't much help. Just know I love you.

Love Forever, Lance'

I slowly eat my food and take my medicine. Once I have finished, I crawl back to my mat and place the two notes under my small mat where they should be safe and hidden. They shouldn't be home since they beat me to the oblivion. What am I talking about? They are never home after they beat me. They always leave right afterwards. So, I can come out of my room without fear seeping through my body.

For now.

It's better than not at all!

I slowly stand by my mat just as a precaution. If I am too weak, I can collapse on it instead of the floor. Not like it'll cushion my fall but it will some. Now that I am standing and not wobbling like a two day old deer trying to take its first steps. I realize I can safely move. As I walked into the kitchen, I come face to face with Lance crouching in front of Ashton where I can't see either of their faces. Ashton has his back completely facing me. They are sitting at the small bar area. I cough so I don't startle them, yet they still jump into the air and quickly turn around.

Go going. You scared them!

I heard a loud cracking noise. The noise causes my face to contort into discomfort. I hate the sound of cracking and crunching. It makes my skin crawl. They turn completely towards me, and my face falls at the sight in front of me. Lance now has stitches above his brow and a black eye. Ashton again has a busted lip and broken nose. They were in the process of Lance setting it back in place when I came in and scared them.

"Son of a bitch!" Ashton yells as blood is pouring from his nose.

"Holy shit! What happened?!" My voice is full of worry and concern.

"We're okay Gem. It's fine." Ashton tries to reinsure me.

"You're not fine when you look like you just ran into Thor's bloody hammer." I countered.

"We're fine. Really! We just ran into.... The wall." Lance tries to convince me.

More like ran into a Godzilla's ass.

I would have believed him if he said fell down the stairs and face planted the floor.

Or got hit in the face by Captain America's boot.

"More like you ran into your father's fist." I mumble.

How did those vile creatures make these two loving 'brothers'?

Adoption?

Has to be. They don't have a mean bone in their bodies.

"It's okay Bambina! I promise you, we're fine." Ashton tries again to make me believe them.

"How so? Can you stop lying!" I counter. I cross my arms the best I could and tried to give the meanest glare.

"Fine! Stop looking at me like that. You look like a constipated puppy." Lance finally says.

"I'm waiting. Wait! I do not look like a constipated puppy." I complain.

"You kind of looked like one to me." Ashton agrees with his brother.

"Explain! I'm not getting younger here stronzi." I say impatiently.

"He was... He wa...." Ashton started.

"Was going to stick the rod up...." Lance didn't finish.

"Up your lady part." Ashton rushes out. My eyes go the size of Jupiter.

"We stopped him, and this is what the end result was." Lance says while waving his hands around his face.

"He beat us and left you alone." Ashton whispers out. I walk over to my 'brothers' and hug both with my tiny arms. Tears began to fall from my eyes like the rain on an April day.

"Thank you but you shouldn't have jump in the middle of that." I mumble into Ashton's chest. We heard commotion at the front door.

"Shit! They aren't supposed to be home yet." Lance panics.

"Boys! And that little bitch!" She-devil's voice rung out. My face paled. I believe theirs' did as well.

"We're moving back to Porto Torres, Italy. Start packing and get in the fucking car." He snaps at us.

Italy!

Is my family.......

Shut up Gem you know they gave up on you years ago.

🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷

Gemma:

Italy!

Freaking Italy!

You know you want to say fuck Gemmie!

Shut up!

Make me. I'm your subconscious stupido!

I mentally roll my eyes at the voice inside my head.

We are on my 'brothers' parents' private jet heading back to Italy. I haven't been back to Italy in almost ten years. I haven't seen in almost Italy in ten bloody years.

Obviously, Gemma. You were kidnapped ALMOST ten years ago and flew to England!

Be quiet!

I wander if I will as my family again.

Doubt it.

Shut it.

Just speaking the truth.

You're annoying.

I'm you! Dumbass.

I give up.

The voice I have had since I was taken. I think it was my only coping mechanism I had when I would get punished or beat. Now I just wish it would go away. Permanently. The plane ride will take hours and hours to get there. I have no phone nor any electronics since I'm not allowed to have them. So, this is going to be a long painfully boring flight. Lance pulls out a book from his bag while Ashton pulls a fluffy baby blue blanket out. Both hand each item to me which in return, I give off a puzzled look.

"In case you want to sleep." Ashton says.

"Or if you get bored and want something to do. It's my favorite book." Lance says. I glance down and see it's The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. This is one of his favorite books. It's also one of my favorites as well.

"If you read all 78 pages. I have a few more of his work in my bag too." Lance tells me.

"Thank you." I respond with a lopsided grin. Their parents have gone into their sleeping chambers and went to bed.

Lucky them....

How I would kill for a mattress.

Shut it before I hit you in your poop chute.

It's your poop chute too!

I wrap Ashton's favorite blanket around me and pick up Lance's book. I end up falling asleep with my head on Lance's thighs. Ashton's feet are in mine and Lance's face when I wake up from my nap. That wasn't a sight to see, smelly gross feet as soon as your eyes open. Not pleasant. I not so gently swing my hands frantic in the air, hitting Lance in the face and knocking Ashton's feet out of my face. They both wake up grunting yet groggy. Both brothers shot me a glare that should have sent me withering into the back of my seat, yet it didn't. I've now been up for over an hour and have done nothing but counted in my head. One thousand, one thousand and one, one thousand and two.....

"Passengers please fasten your seat belts we will be landing shortly."

"Thank god!" Lance grumbles. All three of us are holding each other's hands because we don't like the landing. Not one bit.

The landing is always rough, and it makes you think you are about to burn alive from a crash. The tires squalling as it hits the pavement, and your body jerks any damn direction. That is exactly what has happened; Lance face palms the seat in front, my head bounces off the small window, and poor Ashton forgot to buckle up. It only means one thing; he lands in the floor.

His parents...

Hopefully a black hole sucked them up. But that didn't happen. I'm not that lucky. As soon as we landed, they walked out their sleeping chambers. Lucky bitches.

"Gemma! Get our bags!" He orders.

"Don't break my Louis Vuitton one either. It alone is more than what you are worth." She says with venom in her voice.

How am I supposed to get their luggage and my own? It's not like I own a lot but still! My unasked question is answer when I spot Lance with my Harry Potter Slytherin luggage bag. He and Ashton bought it for me a few years back as a Christmas present. They knew my love for Harry Potter. I always have used it as a decoration instead. Never thought I would actually need it for my stuff. I safely got their luggage into the boot of the waiting limousine. However, I didn't get the luxury of riding in it. Instead, I am put in a small beat up Autobianchi Bianchina. I don't even think this rust bucket will make it a foot; let alone to wherever our destination is. The drive to our new home is rough. Not rough for them but for me. Like this thing creaks, squeaks, rocks, rattles, and bangs. I thought we were going to blow up five kilometers back!

Our destination is Porto Torres.

The scenery is magnificent! You can smell the water as we drive down the coast. We pull up to a guarded gate. The driver in the limousine punches in a code and the gate opens. The driveway is long like miles long. We finally reach the four-story house. Yet again, I have the luxury of pulling and hauling their luggage into the house. Once we walk through the front doors, I stop dead in my tracks.

It has a damn elevator.

An elevator!

"Take our bags to the 3rd floor. Our bedroom is the one at the end of the hall. You won't miss it, Gemma." He orders. I walk to the elevator to take their belongings up.

"Use the stairs. Only the privilege can use that." She says with hate. Then the witch snickers.

I roll my eyes as Lance and Ashton follow me up. Once we are out of sight of those evil people; Lance and Ashton grab their luggage from me.

"You two could have used the elevator because you're 'privileged' and all." I remind them.

"You needed help so, obviously we're going to help when we can." Lance counters.

"You're going to get us in trouble." I tried to reason.

Well, me in trouble!

Fucking right!

"Calm down, they're in their office. You're fine and so are we." Ashton counters me.

We drop their luggage bags off in their room. I scurry back down the stairs to get my own. Once I lift my luggage, I immediately hear his voice roar through the house.

"Attic!" He orders.

"It still hasn't changed any; even if we have moved dumbass." She snarls.

Attic is it than...

Always the damn attic!

I walk back up the millions of stairs until I am met with a small creepy staircase that leads to my new room.

Lucky me!!

Nope! I am not going up those stairs. Not happening Gemma!

This attic is so much darker and colder than the one in London. There's a small cot in the corner by the window and small dresser on the other end of the room.

At least I have a bed somewhat and a dresser.

Lucky us......

I have a bathroom larger than my last one but it still is a pretty small sized bathroom. It's probably the size of a small walk-in closet. An hour has passed when Lance comes up to tell me we are being summoned downstairs. I creep down my small cobweb filled staircase and down the millions of other stairs to the main room.

"Tomorrow you three will be going to school. The same rules apply here as they did in London Gemma. Am I clear?" He says with a threatening tone.

"No boys. No friends. No talking. Don't get in trouble. Don't tell anyone who I am. Don't be late coming home. There and back. No extracurricular activities. No detention." I repeated the rules back to him.

It's not like I even know what my real name is to begin with. So, how am I going to tell anyone who I truly am.?

Dumbass.

I agree, Gemmie.

"Now, go to bed Gemma. Be up at 5 am sharp. Breakfast is to be done at 5:30 am and you all will be out the door no later than 6. Lance will be the one driving you three to and from school. Am I clear?" He strictly says.

"Yes sir." I mumble.

"Out of my sight now!" He snarls. I run back up those millions of stairs faster than Flash. You don't have to tell me twice. I am not getting kicked in the face by Venom's boot. No thanks.

I'm okay with getting kicked by Captain America's boot though.

I don't want my face cracked open!

If it is Captain America's boot it would be badass though.

Shut up!

Before I make it to my stairs Lance and Ashton both call out to me from their rooms.

"Goodnight Gem."

"Goodnight."

I lay in my cot dreading this time. When I sleep their faces haunt me. Every single time. Hours pass when exhaustion finally won. I woke up at the same I always do in cold sweats mumbling for Renzo.

Who the fudge is Renzo?

How would I know? Your guess is as good as mine.

Not now!! Go away...

I tossed and turned and was tortured by the same loving faces that has haunted me for years. But who is Renzo? And why was I calling for him? I usually wake up calling other names like Leonardo, Vincent, Matteo, Valentino, Lucian, and Nikolai. Who are these names I keep calling out too? My thinking eventually quit when darkness came back knocking on my door and invited itself back in again.

Hello Darkness, my not so best friend.

A/N:

Word Count: 4984

I promised this chapter would be longer than the Prologue. I kept my promise guys!

How did you like this chapter?

What are your thoughts on it?

Have you figured out who Ashton and Lance are yet?

Are they adopted or are they really those cray cray people's children?

Next chapter should be out in 24 hours!

XoXo :)

Edited this chapter as of today 5/24/23. As in edited, I mean corrected grammar and punctuation error as well as adding new things into the chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. ❤️🫶