Chapter 21: A Perfectionist

( ⚠️Ok so this chapter includes triggering things like death and crap like that so beware⚠️)

🌺 Leonessa 🌺

I was skipping along the side of the road, clutching a sheet of paper tightly in my hands as to not lose it.

School was over and I was on my way home with exciting news that I got a 100% for the oh so "difficult" test.

The kids in my class didn't like that and called me a few names but I didn't let it get to me since their peanut sized brains can't comprehend what 9x8 is.

I watch Harry Potter so I know a few spells and I know how to tame a few magical creatures.

Just because I'm 8 doesn't mean that I'm not superior to those mere mortals.

They all should sleep with both eyes open.

I was humming a random tune as I thought about my parents and Phoenix's reaction towards my awesome test score.

We'll probably go out for ice cream like we always do when I do well on my tests. I couldn't help but grin when I thought about eating the deliciously cold dessert.

It's been almost two years since mom and dad adopted me when I was 6 and I couldn't be happier with the family who actually wanted me.

Phoenix, their son, didn't resent me but instead welcomed me with open arms.

He's the best big brother I could ask for.

And of course there are many ups and downs but we always forgive and forget, well maybe not forget but I at least forgive, so it counts.

I fastened my pace when I saw our pale blue, two story house come into view.

I smiled widely as I couldn't wait to tell my family about my test score and possibly getting ice cream as a reward.

But when I closed the door and turned around, I immediately froze.

I could feel my face turning the same colour as the sheet of paper I dropped.

Because what I saw was my mom, laying on the floor with her dull eyes staring into mine, with a hole in her head and a pool of blood beneath it.

"Leonessa don't look!" Someone quickly exlaimed.

I snapped my head towards the voice who said that, only to see that it's my older brother, on his knees, looking at me with panic and pure terror.

His lip was busted and his face was covered in blue and purple bruises. His nose was bleeding and left a trail of blood down to his chin.

"Oh Leonessa! You're back from school, how was your day sweetheart?" Another voice asked happily despite the situation.

My eyes looked up to see Derrick, my adoptive father, with a bright smile on his face, but that smile was one that would appear in my nightmares for the rest of my life.

Then something shiny in his hand caught my eye and when I saw exactly what it was, my blood ran cold.

A black pistol.

Probably the same pistol that took my adoptive mother's life.

I couldn't breath.

My vision started to get blurry as my brain went blank.

I don't know how but the next thing I know, I was harshly thrown down to the floor next to my brother.

My father came back into view with the same bright smile on his face.

"W-why are you doing this?" I choked out as my whole body started to tremble. I tried to hug myself to get some sort of warmth but my body couldn't provide it.

"Oh my darling Leonessa, do you remember when dad said that he was a perfectionist? You know what that is right?" He asked as he kneeled down in front of me. I slightly nodded my head at his question.

"You see, when you are a perfectionist, all your standarts raise extremely high and you go to incredible lengths to make sure those standarts are reached. To me, everything had to be perfect. My job, my house, my car, my hobbies, the food I eat, hell, even my writing style had to be absolutely perfect." He said as he picked something out of my hair and patted it down.

It took everything within me not to flinch away.

"And what is your main thing that just has to be perfect? Your family of course." He continued as he finally stood up again.

"I mean what better image than two wonderful and loving parents, a genius older son and a perfect younger daughter?" He laughed as he slowly paced back and forth in front of us.

"Everything was perfect when we adopted you Nessa and I was fully satisfied. But then things started to go wrong and my patience was running thinner and thinner until it just...snapped." He stated as he stopped and gazed at us.

"Your mother was the first flaw or should I say imperfection. She wanted to help Leonessa find her real parents so that she would get to know them and most likely return back to them, but I couldn't let my perfect daughter get taken away from me, now could I? So now Miranda is waiting for us to join her in the perfect after life." He grinned as he looked at his dead wife on the floor.

"Then the second imperfection came in and that was Phoenix." He said and the grin was wiped off his face as he looked at Phoenix.

"He, instead of becoming the most successful businessman in New York City with his amazing intelligence, wanted to become a STUPID FUCKING TATTOO ARTIST!" He yelled as his left hand gripped his own hair in frustration.

It was silent for a few minutes until Phoenix broke it.

"You're a crazy, psychotic, SICK BASTARD! SO WHAT IF I WANTED TO BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST! IT WOULD'VE MADE ME HAPPY! AND SO WHAT IF MOM WANTED TO HELP LEONESSA FIND HER REAL PARENTS?! IT WOULD'VE MADE HER HAPPY TOO!" He screamed at dad, no, Derrick, as he tried to get up from floor but immediately bent over in pain with a groan.

"Well that's where you're wrong because this is MY perfect image. MINE! SO WHO GAVE YOU AND MIRANDA THE RIGHT TO FUCK UP WHAT WAS MINE!" He yelled and breathed heavily.

"But oh well, see you on the other side son, we'll join you and your mother soon." He stated as he pointed the gun at Phoenix.

And without hesitation, the trigger was pulled followed by Phoenix grunting in pain on the floor.

"PHOENIX!" I screamed as I rushed to his side, my back facing Derrick.

A big mistake I haven't realized yet.

He was gasping as the corners of his lips started to tint red followed by a trail of blood that escaped his mouth.

"I l-love y-you Nessie. Big brother loves you so, so much and don't you ever forget that. R-remember me, ok. You may not be my blood but you are my family." He whispered as he slowly started to close his eyes.

He subtly placed his favourite ring in my hand that was holding his tightly before gently closing my hand.

I didn't have it in me to ask him to stay awake or to keep his eyes open since I knew that he wouldn't make it.

The bullet went straight through his chest and the damage was already done.

I could only nod at his request as my tears dripped onto his pale face.

His breathing stopped.

He was dead.

Along with a part of myself.

"Well Leonessa we're gonna have to do this quickly before the police arrives because I'm pretty sure our neighbours noticed something's wrong by now. They never did mind their own business, did they?" Derrick stated from behind me.

Before I could even look behind me, the sound of another gunshot was heard but this time I felt it.

I felt how the bullet ripped through my skin and tore through the muscles of my lower abdomen on the left side.

I could feel my head getting heavier and my body getting lighter with the amount of bloodloss.

My weak body slowly fell backwards and onto the cold ground.

Derrick, the man I thought was my father, the man I thought loved me for who I was as a person, was driven to insanity by such a small word like "perfect" to the point where he killed his own wife and children, one of them not even being his own.

I could see him.

I could see how both his hands gripped the pistol and raised it until the barrel touched the bottom of his chin.

I could see the small smile on his face and how he closed his eyes in pure bliss.

I could see no hesitance.

And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't close my eyes as he pulled the trigger for the last time.

Black butterflies started to dance in front of my eyes and just as I closed my eyes I could hear the distant sound of sirens.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

"The sick fuck's aim was off so instead of hitting any important organs, the bullet just teared through a few muscles." I said as I grasped the ring around my neck out of instinct before continuing.

"Everything after that was a blur, the trip to the hospital and the ride back to the orphanage after I recovered. I ran away that night, I couldn't stay there, my sanity wouldn't allow it. So I took all the money I saved up, sneaked out and ran to the nearest airport, I somehow avoided the lady at the ticket booth and got on a plane that was headed towards Budapest. The rest is history." I explained as I slumped back against the chair.

They were all dead silent.

They either looked slightly angry or sad but I knew all of them felt guilt.

Guilty for not being there for their sister who went through something so terrifying, alone.

But it wasn't their fault and it never will be because it was mine.

It was my fault for trusting someone so easily and to hope that nothing bad would happen.

The room was starting to get suffocating with their silence so I decided to direct their attention to something else.

"Oh and I own a business." I stated casually.

"WHAT?!" They all yelled at once and I quickly covered my ears when someone hit a high note.

*cough* Flynn *cough*

"What kind of business?" Hayden finally asked sceptically.

"Hmm, do you remember the company who bought your services on the 4th of November last year, Dominic?" I questioned as I looked at him.

"Of course, it was Diamands & Pearls, the most successful fashion company in Europe that specializes in clothing and jewelery. Why?" He stated and asked.

"I'm the CEO of that company and I'm the one who created that ring you're wearing." I said as I pointed at the ring he was wearing on his finger. The one I gave to him for his birthday.

"WHAT!?" They all yelled again.

"Geez stop with the screaming, y'all sound like One Direction got back together." I stated as I rubbed my ear.

"You own that clothing brand? Their tuxedo's and men's clothes are the most beautiful I've ever worn. And I kid you not I have a few of your pieces in my closet, hell in all of our closets" Killian praised as his eyes shined.

"Well of course, I designed it." I said as I tried to hide the blush on my cheeks behind my pride.

"Cocky, aren't we?" Blake commented from behind me with a smirk.

"Nah, just proud." I retorted back as I tilted my head back to stick my tongue out at him.

Yes, I'm as mature as they can come.

Suddenly Flynn pushed Blake away and wrapped his arms around my neck from behind as he pressed his face against mine.

"Don't worry Nessa you have us now and we love you for who are, freaky flaws and all." He said as he hugged me even tighter.

"Did you seriously just make a Monster High refrence?" Blake asked as he rubbed his arm where Flynn pushed him.

"Well duh, Franky Stein is a queen, period, point, blank. And how did you know it was a Monster High refrence?" Flynn shot back.

"Flynn, with you around even Dominic could name all the characters' names let alone all the refrences." Blake stated as he pointed his thumb to Dominic who nodded at his statement.

"Yup, I think I'm spiritually connected to Cleo." Dominic confirmed with the most serious expression.

I laughed at their childish banter and then looked at Dominic.

He gave me one of his rare smiles as he nodded at me and I nodded back.

"Everything's going to be ok." I thought as I looked at all my brothers.

For now.

🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳

Y'all I'm supposed to study for my math exam😐😐whelp.

Cheers🥂