6. Daniela

SIX

Daniela

I t's been a week and everyone's pity is finally fading. Carly is busy trying to keep our money, her money anyway. Mine's protected with me being a minor and underwritten in so many trusts I'll need to provide a urine sample to see a cent. I don't reply to Tali and mute all my notifications, content in disappearing from the world. Val hasn't come back to the house since I refused to acknowledge he existed.

I want to be alone in my anger, sit with it, and have it keep me company. Not have people who will attempt to make me feel better with their bullshit care because of some misguided reason. Or pity. That's the worst emotion. It's disgusting and enrages the bitterness inside of me. I just want to be alone. That's a lie, I don't want to be alone. I just can't face them and admit the truth to the two people who mean the most to me in the world. Maybe they'll see what my parents did and decide I'm worthless too.

Carly has spent her life partying, she was always happy, and now that she's stopped she's in a depressive episode. Taking a leaf out of her book, I leave my pit and quickly throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Someone will be having a party and Tali's fighting tonight, so I won't have to deal with him as long as I leave before he turns up for his post-fight ritual of gloating with everyone and trying to hook up with someone.

I pause in the middle of my dark room and check where the other people my age are. Just my shitty luck that the party is at Zoe's house. Fuck it, no one has the capability to hurt me unless I allow them to. That's how my parents managed it; because I cared about them.

The house is silent except for random intermittent sniffles as Carly lays in her room. The whispering can't be heard until I pass her door and it's too low for me to make out what she's saying. Or I don't care. It's most likely the latter and I don't mute my steps as I leave.

I've got dressed and used my energy, so I may as well reap the rewards of it and drive to Zoe's house. Act like you belong and no one can kick you out, that's what Tali always says. Repeating it to myself the entire drive, I half believe it when I reach her house. It's dark and I'm not noticed as I walk in with my shoulders straight. The music is loud mixing with drunk laughter and conversation while I look for something that could keep me entertained. The lights are low, so I don't spot the glass bottles in disarray at first.

The stupid bitch is in front of me while I try to make a straight line to the drinks. Being drunk will help my mood. But she throws her hair over her shoulder and turns, nearly whipping me in the face with it as I mix anything I can find together.

"Who invited you, little orphan Dani?"

Her grating voice is right in my ear as I choke down the concoction. Holding my middle finger up to her face in answer, I sip my drink ignoring her and the burn as I swallow. It tastes like acid but if this is a magic fix I'll take it so I don't have to sit with my thoughts.I make the mistake of looking into the plastic cup to see the dirty color I've created. It reminds me of cleaning my brushes, and all the muted pastels becoming a muddy brown.

Zoe's minion tries to get her to stop. "Just leave it, she's not bothering anyone."

I can't remember her name and I look to the side trying to work out who she is. I think she's called Chelsea. Yeah, she is, and her having a heart shows how pathetic I am right now. She's younger than me and the make up on her face doesn't hide the bruise that's forming from her fight with Francesca Alessi. All the anger inside of me needs an outlet and I turn it on Chelsea despite her help.

"Did it hurt when you got punched in the face?" I ask.

She went down with one blow, she didn't even have time to cover her face before her opponent was on top of her.I answer my own question as I tip the plastic cup up to catch every last drop. "She kicks your ass all the time, so you must be used to it now." I shrug and reach for another bottle. It's blue like Val's eyes.

She pushes forward at the insult and an unfamiliar arm wraps around my shoulders. The guy speaking beside me is one of Val's friends, I recognize his jade eyes as he gives them a warning.

"She's Valentin's girl, watch it."

I'm not Valentin's fucking girl. I'm me, and I don't need anyone to protect me when I want her to hit me. Maybe I'll take a beating but the anger inside of me tells me I'll win. Refilling my cup, I get away from the stupid asshole. I've seen him with Valentin a few times but I don't know his name.I don't even want to know it. I want to get every bit of resentment out of me and then go back to my boring, lonely life.

Every rich person lives the same. The decor, useless ornaments no one could give a shit about, and parents who don't give a fuck about their kids. It's the one thing we all have in common, and I hate the fact these people are all benefiting from it while I expected more. All the years I spent hiding in Tali's bed when I could have been doing whatever I wanted. No one was there to give a fuck. But I stupidly thought being good meant something, having dreams, and interests weren't ever going to benefit me.The awards didn't bring my parents' home, neither did my commissions, none of it meant enough for them be there or to stay.

There should be a word lower than worthless, something to describe a person whose own parents decided to kill themselves on their child's birthday over a number held in a bank account. Normal people think you can't put a price on your child, I know what figure my parents had in their mind. Minus $5.3 million, that was their breaking point. At minus $5.2 million they could stay alive but not in my life, minus $4.5 million the calls got less and less. But at minus $1.2 million they still came home, so I know how much I'm worth. The exact figure of minus $1.2 million meant I still had them .

Zoe's glare intensifies as I fill the cup to the brim, and she opens her mouth to call me an orphan again, but I turn, giving her my back. I'm like a child taking small sips as I pass the other people to find an empty room behind the kitchen. I'm invisible, a superpower that I've always hated. I swipe a bottle from the counter and make myself comfortable.

I've never been drunk before. I thought everything would disappear but it's still there. Some parts are magnified. Not all of it has gone away, but my body just can't be bothered to react to it. Tali would laugh and call me a lightweight while Val would get angry and swap my drink for water. I miss them, there's never been a time since knowing them that I've ignored them.

Their messages are at the top of my notifications as I check my phone, so I don't look as much of a loner as I am. Both of them sat together on the screen asking the same questions.

Are you okay

Call me

Come over

Do you need anything

Remember to eat

I'm here

Don't disappear

Open the door

Over and over again. The same things. But I smile because not once has there been a bullshit apology. There's no "I'm sorry for your loss." All of their messages are filled with questions about me, asking how I am, what I need. Not trying to make themselves feel better.And more importantly, no pity. I should have known they wouldn't when they have their own version of dysfunction, but something inside of me settles that they're still there.

I call Val first and hold the phone to my ear with my shoulder while I pour a heavy hand of whatever I've picked up into an empty cup on the table beside me. Turning the bottle to see the label, it's some fruit flavored vodka so it shouldn't taste like acid. The call hasn't even connected when the bitch squad come into the room and there's two of Chelsea and Zoe stood in front of me. Both Zoe's open their mouth and the sound is delayed.

"Your boyfriends aren't here to protect you now. "

I'm laughing, I don't know why but she said boyfriends.

Plural. I've never even had one.

My laugh is cut off when someone grabs my hair, pulling me forward and I try to keep hold of my drink. I don't even want it, but my hand tightens around the cup, pushing the plastic in and my brain shakes when my head hits something hard. I've never had a fight before. My anger has lessened into sadness, and I can't move as I'm knocked off balance. My drink spills causing my jeans to stick to my thigh as my other side takes the full impact of the floor. Curling into a ball, I protect my head and my tears fall, again.

It's not because of the kicks, the point of a heel digging into my ribs doesn't hurt but the pain that's already sitting behind them does. Each kick helps and stops me thinking.

The anger comes back when they stop. Why the fuck did they stop? I was distracted. I clumsily jump to my feet, and grab whoever is in front of me. Chelsea's scream tells me it's her face I'm pulling down into my knee. Her hands whip out, her fingers threading into my hair to try to get me off, but it doesn't work, and I laugh again.I understand why people fight now – it shuts everything off. All the pain, anger, and resentment find an outlet.

Something hits the back of my knee, making me fall and loosen my hold. It happens again against my spine and I crumple. My shoulder is next, and everything hurts but I'm smiling. What the fuck is wrong with me? Their curses are worse than their kicks and I can't move as more feet and mouths join in.

"No wonder your parents killed themselves."

"You should join them."

"You're pathetic."

"Orphan Dani."

"Stupid."

"Die."

It all trails off. They're not saying anything different than what I've said to myself.No one can say anything worse than the voices in my head.

My head flies back as my arm is kicked into my face. Blood trickles from my nose, the sting is good, and it runs over my lip into my mouth as I find numbness. There are no curses, no taunts, and no emotions. My body is focused on absorbing the beating and they're successfully pushing it all way.

Then it all stops. The taunts turn into screams and the last voice I expect is the deadly one directed at me.

"Daniela. Get the fuck up."

My arm slowly moves like a curtain to uncover my face. There's a mix of blood and tears flowing into my mouth as Vlad comes into view holding Zoe and Chelsea by their hair. He has one in each hand and the anger in his eyes is enough to freeze me in place as he directs it towards me. Both of them do the same, they don't try to fight him despite Zoe opening her mouth and attempting to threaten the devil.

"I'll tell my dad, I'm a minor and he'll get you put in jail."

It doesn't have the intended effect as he drops his hold on Chelsea. She at least has self-preservation and scurries back, running out of the room. His inked hand comes up in a blur, wrapping around Zoe's throat as he scrutinizes her features. The commotion has everyone's attention, and the music disappears with everyone focusing on the murder that's going to occur. I've seen Vlad smile before, he always does it when he gives me my birthday card, but this is different and there's so much malice in it, I shrink into the cold tiled floor. His fingers tighten around her neck as he lifts her onto her toes and speaks so low and cold it causes me to shiver.

"Your father fucks the maid while he's wearing your mother's heels, think of a better threat."

Light snickers move around the crowd watching on the other side of the threshold. Her face is turning red, and I don't know if it's due to a lack of air or embarrassment as he extends his voice.

"Aren't you that little bitch who was fucking my brother for blow?"Laughing darkly, he holds her higher, ignoring the audience and demolishes her. "Yeah, he pissed in your mouth the last time, didn't he?"

I'm laid on the floor, bloody and bruised, but no one looks in my direction as he continues, "Oh, you didn't know? Some advice for your future clients; cum is white, piss is yellow. Maybe, spit some out before you swallow."

He keeps her in place, stretched out and fighting for air as he turns his head to me. There's no harsh words as he nods, gesturing for me to stand. I feel safer on the floor than with him, but I force my sore body to move. Swallowing around my fear, I keep my eyes forward and don't look at Zoe as she falls to a heap on the floor. She's a cunt but she didn't deserve that humiliation. Even Valentin didn't go that far, and Vlad has just confirmed the rumors about him pissing in her mouth.

Everyone moves out of the way, not wanting to piss off the devil as he walks out. I follow already knowing that's what he wanted, and he doesn't turn back to check. I'm afraid of him when he's plating up my breakfast or giving me a gift, but that's nothing compared to what I feel right now. I'm going to end up wetting myself if he looks at me.

I have the sense to go to my car. I'll sleep on the backseat until I'm good enough to drive. My shoulders hunch forward at the rough bark behind me, and I jump forward.

"Daniela. Get in the car."

I think I've already pissed myself just at his voice. I look at my feet and turn without lifting my head as I silently get in his car. The seatbelt gets stuck, and it takes me two attempts to clip it in as I avoid all the violence brewing beside me as he gets behind the wheel. Vlad doesn't talk as he drives, there's no music or background noise, just my final thoughts as he drives me towards death.Fuck, I don't want to die. I want to have a life and I'd beg him if I could think of anything that could possibly convince him to let me live.

But the scary fuck stops at a drive thru. He taps on his phone while he orders four cheeseburger meals, then asks, "Do you want ice cream?"

I don't know why he's asking the server if they want ice cream, and he looks at me expecting an answer. My head slowly moves, silently saying no as I keep my eyes fixed on his profile. He moves forward and taps against the steering wheel. I don't know what kind of death row meal he's preparing for me so I stare straight ahead hoping he forgets I'm here. It's silent and I'm in a daze focusing on the brake lights in front of us when he speaks again, calmer this time.

"Why have you been ignoring Val and Tali?"

I shrug so I don't have to speak and taste blood again. He looks over at me and places a bottle of water and tissues on my thighs. The gentleness doesn't match his voice when he repeats, "Why have you been ignoring them and not coming to the house?"

I swipe at my face, my anger coming back and bleeding into my tone. "Because my parents fucking killed themselves on my birthday and I don't want to be around anyone. Is that good enough for you, your majesty?!"

I'm clearly forgetting that he's a murderer and quickly snap my mouth closed then close my eyes.

He doesn't respond to my outburst and drives forward to collect his order. At least he'll have a full stomach when I die. Throwing the bag on my legs, he keeps moving and ordering me around.

"Eat, you need to sober up." My eyes open not understanding anything and he looks at me from the corner of his eye, before he adds with a smirk, "And learn how to throw a punch instead of take one."

He laughs to himself over my form and I don't know why I'm insulted. Confusing me even more he asks, "Why are you fighting anyway? I thought you were one of those idiot pacifists?"

My laugh is air and no sound as I pass him a burger and take out my own. The alcohol has gone to my head and I lose some of my fear as I incorrectly interpret his actions.

"You care about me," I slur and smile.

If Vlad, the biggest nutcase to exist, cares about me then there's hope for a normal person to be able to. He continues driving and acts like a raging asshole as he scoffs, "Have you heard my brothers tantrums? What do you think I've had to deal with now that their precious Dani isn't there?"

I deflate and sink my teeth into my burger as I mumble, "I'm not precious anything. I'm boring Dani." The food turns bitter like my thoughts as I stare out the window at the streetlights getting further apart. "Forgettable Dani."

My body is flung forward as we abruptly stop, and Vlad's forearm forces my burger to smash into my neck. His eyes are wild as he turns to me and I'm looking for the car crash that stopped us moving. The road is empty and creepy, derelict warehouses line the sides with broken chain link fences that are useless at keeping anyone out. His arm doesn't stay in front of me as he harshly pulls my attention back in the car.

"If you want to be memorable you can't be weak. What's the problem now? Is it your school?"

I hate him for doing that for me when my parents cheque bounced.

A dry laugh works up my throat and I softly tap my head against the seat as I break my promise .

"They can't pay you back anymore."

I promised that they would, that as soon as my parents came home I'd tell them that Vlad had to pay to stop me being kicked out of school and my dad would write him a new cheque. But they can't, not because they're dead but because they were broke. He doesn't react with anger as he starts driving again.

"I'll discuss it with your sister."

I nod and give him my smashed burger because the smell is turning my stomach. His is still wrapped in the paper and he throws it in the bag before taking the food from me and throwing it out of the window. I have to bite my cheek to stop from commenting on his littering or telling him I'm not diseased. There's no need for me to antagonize him further when I'm not 100% sure he's not going to kill me as we get deeper into the abandoned area.

He turns into a lot, and I smile seeing Val's car as we pull up. I'm already unbuckled before the wheels stop moving and push the door open filling the car with cold air. The greasy paper bag is lifted off my lap and he doesn't put me at ease as he gets out following me in the direction of the lights. I flinch with every footstep behind me walking into the warehouse that smells of blood and sweat. Val and Tali are sat on the makeshift ring in the middle. Where there should be ropes, there's metal mesh at least six feet tall. Both of them stand up seeing me and Tali has a dopey smile on his face while Val glares over my shoulder at his brother's instruction.

"Give her a pair of shorts and a t-shirt." The authoritative tone has me jumping, but Tali moves forward guiding me towards a corridor as Vlad throws him the burgers. "Make sure she eats."