Annaliese

The throbbing in my head woke me up from my sleep. I groan quietly, the pain keeping me from opening my eyes. "Mia figilia, you're alright," A warm voice murmurs to me. (my daughter)

My body is burning and I can't seem to form any coherent thoughts. I attempt to open my mouth to speak but I only end up coughing. Someone gently sits me up and I feel a cool glass being placed on my lips. I don't hesitate to swallow the cold liquid.

After I finish drinking the water, the same hands lay me back down. I slowly open my eyes, squinting at the bright lights. A few seconds later they're dimmed. I find myself in a large, bland room. The walls are white and clean. The modern lights installed in the ceiling are very dim and small. There are large windows that reveal tall buildings and lights outside. A soft blanket covers me and I find myself relaxing back into the comfortable mattress.

I'm in someone's apartment.

"Hello amore," The kind voice says again. I turn my head to face the man that saved me earlier. "You need to rest. You're very ill." (love)

I didn't say anything. I studied his face now that I had better lighting. Something about this older man seemed so familiar, but I know I would've remembered if I had seen someone so handsome and eloquent pass by me. "Ex.. excuse me, sir?" I whisper, clearing my throat softly. "What's your name?"

His lips pull into a smile and I find myself feeling safer. "My name is Vincenzo Invernizzi, amore."

"You have a very pretty name," I mumble sleepily. The corners of his eyes soften as he reaches forward and caresses the bow of my head.

"Thank you, amore. I would love to chat with you, but you must rest. Once you're all better we can talk as much as you'd like, okay?" Vincenzo offers. He takes off a rag, I hadn't even noticed, from my forehead and replaced it with a cooler one.

"Okay.." I reply, my eyes already drooping shut. It doesn't take long for me to fall back into a deep slumber.

-

"Sono molto fiducioso che sia lei." I shift in the sheets, blinking tiredly at the white ceiling. The top of Vincenzo's head is seen from the corner of my eye. His voice travels quietly throughout the room. My eyes travel farther down to the phone in his hand. "Non preoccuparti. Cercherò di trovare maggiori informazioni sulla sua situazione. Nel frattempo, non dire nulla e aspetta che ti riferisca. Bene." (i'm very confident that it's her. don't worry. i will try to find more information about her situation. in the meantime, don't say anything and wait for me to report to you. good.)

His warm blue eyes fall into mine and he immediately smiles broadly."Good morning amore, how do you feel?" Vincenzo asks caringly. I sniffle at his question, my body aching slightly but definitely feeling more energized. My chest felt stuffed, but it wasn't anything severe.

"I'm okay sir," I respond respectfully. My voice comes out stuffy. My hands are swallowed into the mattress as I attempt to sit up. After adjusting to a more comfortable position, I turn my attention to him. "Are you okay?"

Vincenzo stares at me for a moment, his dark eyebrows furrowing. He glances at the necklace on my neck. "Uh, yes I'm fine. I'm not the sick one you know," He chuckles.

"You're taking care of me," I say simply. I silently ask him for permission to take a sip of water and he nods. Reaching for the cup, I take a few sips. I wipe my mouth and set it back down, turning my head to face him. How should I word this? "Um, I'm very thankful for you taking care of me sir, but why? You don't even know me."

Vincenzo leans back in the chair he had pulled up close to the bed. His muscles flex under the thin white button-up shirt he wore and a part of me wonders just what he does for a living. "Annaliese, that's your name, correct?" I nod my head. "That's the same name as my missing daughter."

The air seems to be knocked out of me and shock washes over my body, from my head to my toes. "My goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that," I whisper, my face paling even more. I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child. But, he said missing? Hopefully, that means she's still alive.

"Thank you," Vincenzo accepts humbly but the slight droop in his shoulders gives away his upset mood. I instantly feel guilty. He runs a hand through his hair and the gleam of his ring catches my eye. There are diamonds embedded in it forming a design I can't properly see from my spot. "She was taken when she was 5 years old. My sons and I have been searching for her ever since."

"That's horrible," I say to him, disgust evident in my voice. His lips twitch at the sound. Apart from me wanting to ask more questions relating to the incident, I also don't want to push him. It must be very difficult to talk about it. "Do you... want to talk about it?"

Vincenzo leans forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. Intertwining his fingers, he watches me with calculating eyes. "Yes, I think we should talk about it later, but for now, I want to ask you some questions. Is that alright with you?"

I hesitate. "I... I don't have anything to give you," I choke out and my eyes begin to burn. He was going to ask me to repay him. I'm sure of it. "I'm sorry, I don't.. I-I only have a blanket a-and a jacket and.. and if I lose them I won't... I'll... I'll.."

His eyes widen as fat tears rolled down my cheeks and sobs left my mouth. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I cry, frantically trying to wipe away my tears. I sniffle harshly as my nose begins to run. "I just... I just wanna live, please. Please let me live."

A hand forces me into a hard chest and the warmth of another human being seems to  unleash a dam of tears. My throat burns from the screams of emotional pain I'm letting out; the fear of dying, the memories of being jumped, the desperation of not having any money or food, the dark nights wondering why my family left me. Vincenzo tightened his arms around me and for the time that I was crying, I felt like nothing could hurt me and that I was safe.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," He murmurs softly in my ear, his breath fanning my dirty hair. A wave of throbbing pain in my head hits me. "I just wanted to know more about you."

My head relaxes against his chest as I'm exhausted from letting out all of my stress, like a kid. "I'm sorry... I overreacted."

Vincenzo pulls away and holds my shoulders gently. His pale eyes bore into my reddened ones. "Listen amore, you didn't overreact. You're scared and overwhelmed by the life you've been trying to survive in," He explains and I strangely find myself wanting to listen to him speak for hours, apart from me knowing that we probably won't see each other ever again after this. "You're doing your best and I'm so proud of you for pulling through."

My heart warms and I throw my arms around his waist, squeezing tightly. "Thank you so much for helping me," I mumble against his shirt. "I don't know how to tell you enough. You're an angel sir, a blessing, a miracle."

Vincenzo laughs loudly at my praise and my cheeks heat up profusely. He pats my head caringly. "That's very kind of you amore... Have you calmed down some now?" I nod my head silently. "Can you tell me about your necklace?"

I reach up to the silver jewelry and grasp it tightly. My eyes soften as I recall how I received it. "I got it when I was little and I've had it with me ever since. I think Mother gave it to me. See? It has her favorite flower on it."

I unclasp the simple chain and hand it to him carefully. Vincenzo, almost shakily, picks it up and examines it very closely. He swallows harshly after he sees the flower on the back of the charm. "What is it?" I ask worriedly. Did I make him mad?

Closing his hand into a fist around the necklace, he brings it to his lips and kisses it. I blink at his actions. Vincenzo then returns it to me. "Thank you for sharing that with me amore. There's one thing I want to ask of you."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Would you be willing to take a DNA test?" He asks me. I stare at him like he'd grown two heads. What in the world is a DNA test? Vincenzo seems to understand my obvious confusion. "Someone will come in and get some of your spit to see who your mom and dad are. Do you want to?"

"I have a mommy and daddy?" I blurt out. My hand flies up to my mouth in embarrassment and my eyes dart to the patterned bed sheets. I barely miss Vincenzo's heartbroken face.

"Yes, of course amore. Everyone does," He replies softly, his voice soothing my humiliation. Of course I knew that, but sometimes it was so hard to believe. If I had a mommy, why did she leave me? Why did she let me starve? If I had a daddy, why didn't he keep me? Why didn't he give me a roof over my head?

Why wasn't I good enough? What did I do wrong?

"Can I please take the DNA test sir?" I ask quietly, my voice full of fear. Vincenzo grabs my hand and squeezes it comfortingly. I raise my head to meet his eyes where he smiles.

"Of course amore, whatever you wish. While we wait for Luca to arrive, we'll eat something. Since you've been asleep for a day and a half, you haven't had the chance yet," Vincenzo explains to me. A few seconds later a woman walks in with a tray. The smell of fresh food wafts through the air and saliva instantly floods my mouth.

Over the years I've come accustomed to smelling food and not being able to eat it. Living in a public space means that you'll smell all kinds of things. I'd never actually gotten to eat it though.

My stomach grumbles loudly when she sets it on my lap gently. A steaming bowl of soup, a roll, a salad, a tea, and a chocolate cake are all placed neatly on the wooden tray. "Thank you so much!" I exclaim happily to both of them, grinning so wide my jaw hurts.

We didn't talk while I ate. Vincenzo watched in amusement while I stuffed my face. I made sure to savor my meal by eating slowly and taking generous bites. I can't waste a scrap of it; it wouldn't be fair.

After I finished, my stomach hurt from eating too much. I never ate more than 2 small things a day. This meal was like that times 5. For reference, it means it was really big!

The door clicks open as I put the tray on the side of my lap. A tall man, about the same height as Vincenzo, walks in. His arms are huge with black designs dancing amongst his light brown skin. He's wearing a thin white tank top and black jeans. His jaw is sharp and his braided hair defines it much more. Electrifying blue eyes dart to meet mine and I instantly look to Vincenzo.

"Luca, this is Annaliese," Vincenzo introduces, tapping my knee gently. He nods his head to the man, silently telling me to greet him. I shyly look up at him from under my lashes, suddenly becoming self-conscious of my dirty appearance. "Annaliese, this is Luca, my third oldest son. He's going to do your DNA test, alright amore?"

I force myself to make eye contact with the intimmidating man. "H..Hello," I mumble, unable to stop my eyes from drifting to his hair instead. From the corner of my eye I can see Luca analyzing my body and face, probably disgusted by the rattiness of my hair and natural greasiness I have. "It's.. it's nice to meet you sir."

Luca takes a seat next to Vincenzo and I glance to him unseasily. "Hello little girl," Luca responds. His voice comes out deep and honey-like, gentle with authority that warned you not to undermine him. "Do you know what a DNA test is?"

I shook my head and a small smile grows on his lips. "Very well, I'll explain it to you," He states, reaching forward and brushing away my hair from my face. I flinch back, causing a frown to form on Vincenzo's face.

"Sorry," I whisper, memories rushing through my head. I grip the sheets tighter. "A.. habit? Is that the right word?"

"Yes amore, that's right," Vincenzo praises, though he seemed a little sad. He and Luca shared a look that I didn't understand. I hope I didn't make them mad. They were only trying to help me and yet I can't even stop myself from insulting them. I'm a horrible person.

Luca doesn't comment on it and instead pulls back his hand, clenching it in his lap. He glances between his hand and me before letting out a small sigh. Smiling softly, he begins to explain. "A DNA test is something that can help find who has the same genes as you. Genes are what make you look like the way you do. For example, you could have brown hair because your mom has brown hair. Your DNA will tell us that kind of stuff. It can also tell us who you share these traits with. Do you understand?"

My eyebrows furrow and I tilt my head trying to imagine what he's explaining. So, would it be that my mom gave me her hand? Am I the reason mommy disappeared? My eyes widen and I look at Luca frantically. "I don't want to steal anyone's body!" I exclaim worriedly.

Vincenzo covers his mouth with his hand as his shoulders shake. Small laughs are muffled by it. "I don't think she understood figlio." (son)

"No, no," Luca calms me, his lips twitching into a small smile while his eyes brighten with amusement. "You didn't steal anyone's body. You were created through two people seperately. Your mom and dad loved each other and from that love came you. A DNA test can find who's love it was that you came from."

I can feel the color returning to my face as I lean back against the bed. My shoulders sag with relief. Thankfully, I'm not a body stealer. Nodding my head, I send Luca a smile. "Thank you, I get it now. Um.. what do I have to do?"

Luca stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. It creaked under his weight and I gave him a confused look. "All you have to do is say 'Ah' until I tell you to stop. Can you do that for me?"

I nod my head. I glance once at Vincenzo for confirmation and he smiles, sending me a thumbs up. I turn my attention back to Luca and open my mouth. "AhhhhhhAH!"

Luca quickly poked a white stick in my mouth and took it back out. I can't help but contort my face at him in disgust, leaning away from him. What kind of acts will he do next? Stick it up my nose? I watch him cautiously as he pats my hand gently. "Good job bambina piccola. You did well." (little girl)

I cross my arms and pout at Vincenzo, questioning him with my eyes. Vincenzo grins brightly, much to the shock of Luca, and shrugs innocently. "If I told you amore then you wouldn't have done it."

I purse my lips but a quick thought reminds me that they will be helping me find my family. I sigh to myself and feel the irritation dissipating. Luca is fiddling with the white stick and I take a moment to study the art on his arms. I tap his arm gently. "Thank you for helping me find my family sir, I'm really thankful for it," I tell him shyly, hestitantly looking him in the eyes.

Luca's stiff expression melts as he nods his head. "Of course. I'm happy to," He responds, standing up from the bed and opening the door. "I'll be leaving now padre. The results should be in tomorrow."
(father)

"Si," Vincenzo replies. I send Luca small wave as he leaves, closing the door behind him. The meal I ate earlier was beginning to settle, making my body feel tired. My eyelids were slowly drooping. "Wait amore, there's one more thing you have to do before you go to sleep."

Standing up from his chair, Vincenzo towers over the bed. He extends a hand out for me to grab. I take it, sitting up and getting up from the bed. He leads me into a tall side door and I'm blown away by what resides on the other side.

A bright, extremely large, bathroom meets my eyes and my breath gets caught in my throat. Gold, white and silver are all mixed together in patterns along the walls, tile and sinks. The countertops are so clean you can almost see your reflection in them while the floorspace is so wide you could fit the whole street crew in here at once! My eyes can't seem to stay fixated on one thing at a time.

"Here amore, take a bath or a shower. I'm sure you want to clean yourself as you're feeling sick. This knob is for hot water, this one's for cold. Press this button and you can change the settings for the water pressure. Pull this and you can fill the tub," He explains, pointing at different mechanisms in the shower. I follow Vincenzo's wide back to a closet. "These are all bubble bath mixes. These are all soaps, conditioners and shampoos. Here's a spare toothbrush, brush and towels. Oh, and there's a spare change of clothes on the countertop. Do you need anything else?"

By the time he's finished explaining everything, words can't even express how overwhelmed I'm feeling. I nod my head silently while gaping at my reflection on the tiled floor. Vincenzo chuckles at my actions, ruffling my hair and exiting. "Call me if you need anything amore. I'll always be listening."

The door closes after he says his parting words and I allow myself to fully process the room I'm in. I do a 360 spin to admire all the shiny and fancy objects. I stop in front of the wide mirror, letting out a small gasp when I see myself so vividly.

My long brown hair is ratted and greasy, so greasy it almost looks black. My face is covered in acne from the amount of dirt I've been exposed to. My pale skin has a brown tint to it and my pale blue eyes seem to be darker than usual. I frown as I examine the bagginess of the shirt I'm wearing. My extremely thin arms look sickly compated to the two men I just met. My body is unnaturally small and skinny. Lifting up my shirt, I nearly fall over from how bad I look. My ribs are practically coming out of my skin while my stomach is caving in a little bit. My legs are stick then and my fingers are even worse. Small scars cover my legs, arms, and torso.

I sigh sadly as I force myself to look away. Taking off the baggy pair of shorts and underwear, I neatly place them all in a small pile on the floor. If I'm going to shower, I'm going to make use of all my option. I bounce excitedly over to the closet full of goodies. I pick out a coconut shampoo and conditioner with a lavender scented soap. Closing the closet gently, I hop in the shower.

I remember one day a few years ago, I met a girl in a homeless shelter who found a video on her phone about how to take care of your hair. She showed it to me and explained how she would take care of her hair once she eventually made it out of the streets. I took part in it as well, thinking it wouldn't hurt to plan out something as simple as that.

Now, it can actually come true.

I grin as I fix the shower heat the way I want it to be. My eyes catch onto the button Vincenzo showed me earlier. Should I? No..

"Eek!" I squeak when the water comes down like a waterfall. It changed to a normal shower mode. Next, it came out in a smaller circle. Then, water dispensers I didn't even see sprayed water. Lastly, a mist covered the whole thing.

My jaw drops as I watch it go in rotation with multiple modes. Eventually, I snap out of it and settle for the mode with multiple jets.