The Next Chapter: Twisted Series Next Generation

Chapter 27: Anastasia Larsen

"What the hell was all that?" Sofia demands with a voice hauntingly similar to one an oligarch would use.

For a moment my mind had tuned out that she was even there as I strode down the hospital with stern strides that not even an earthquake could shake.

A tremor was injected in my veins due to the venom of their words.

The past two days were involved with me getting screamed at and taking the brunt of the actions my sisters took. Apparently I was the punching bag for everyone to release their anguish and unwanted concerns on.

Fine, I understood I was not the most bubbly person in the world. I preferred my own company and did not wield such a relationship with Sofia and Dahlia as Charlotte and Camilla did.

But for them to spray their unwanted notions on a situation that in no way concerned them? Camilla and Charlotte may consider them family but I most certainly do not.

At times, I do not even consider my own family as my family.

"Go back to Dahlia." I speak stubbornly, practically stomping down the unnecessary white walls and trying to ignore the smell of death that urges me to gag.

"Can't believe I have to remind you." She groans out with a dramatic effect, her legs catch up to mine as she blocks my path. "You are a princess, I can't just leave you alone otherwise I'm the one who needs to figure out an alibi. For when I am accused for being the reason a princess dies."

There is not much of a height difference between the two of us, but I still have an inch or two over her. Which does not add enough on my part to push her away but I wither to her stubborn resolve. Mostly because she makes some convincing points.

In no universe would I like to be captured by camera on my own, the idea irks me to a point of anxiousness that drowns me in a pool of my own nerves.

Watching as she perches her hands on her hips, meeting my gaze with a narrowed glare as she sweeps her leer over me.

"What the hell do you want?" Scowling out with a glare that matches her effect.

"Why are you acting like you have a bullet lodged in your shoulder."

Resisting the urge to just throw my head back and cuss excessively to every matter in this God forsaken universe.

"Look." She softens her gaze, making her appear more human than before. "I understand that you and Camilla have a strained relationship and I understand that she isn't the best to you." She trails off while catching her breath. "But she has so much on her plate."

"That's the thing!" I revert to an octave higher than one I normally carry, my shriek gathering some of the attention of other doctors and nurses which could be the least of my concerns. "She doesn't even-."

My mind functions on an auto control, not even my brain registers that I am a moment away from blurting out the one thing Camilla wants nobody to know.

Fortunately for my sake, a familiar voice interrupts the tense atmosphere. "Woah woah, Larsens and Volkovs at it in the wild again." Positivity levels reaching a maximum limit as a tall man approaches us.

Sofia relaxes her stance while she raises her gaze to the leading doctor in this hospital. "Hi uncle." She murmurs out.

Uncle Josh's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, a friendly smile stitched onto his face as he cups her shoulder along with mine. "You know I got to say I've been used to the energy from your fathers but I sincerely hoped your mothers genetics would sink some sense into you." He quips with a million dollar grin.

As tense as the atmosphere was moments ago, his liven presence eased the both of us up.

"Now, forgive me if I'm wrong and bite your tongues because I never am." He muses before lowering his head in my direction. "Should you not be in Eladora? Hm?"

An exasperated sigh falls from my lips, my palm falls flat against my face as my entire body tenses. "Not you too."

He clicks his tongue and stands up straighter. "Nobody here tells me anything. Ladies, my own son won't disclose anything to me, I expected something from you guys."

"Niko tells you everything." Sofia retorts with a scoff.

Uncle waves his hand dramatically in her direction, "Yeah well not my fault your brother likes me more than your father."

"I did not say that." She bites down a smile which eagerly wishes to release onto her lips.

"Sure." He snickers out, dressed in scrubs and a crumpled white coat. Raking a hand through his unkempt hair while his gaze rotates from Sofia and I.

For a moment, silence renders over all three of us despite the constant chatter that emerges from the busy hospital atmosphere.

Tension inks into my shoulder as I drop my gaze and cross my arms over my chest. "I'm going home today anyway." Murmuring out with a defeated element to my tone.

Sofias gaze softens and her lips part to speak, but uncle beats her to it.

"What's with the animosity-," He trails off. In the blink of an eye, the carefree man that was there moments ago melts into a stern individual who narrows his gaze.

Confusion laces both Sofia and I's expression as we swivel our heads in the direction he is looking at.

Except that my opportunity to turn is interrupted by uncle lacing an arm around my shoulder and guiding me into his side. "We need to go." He speaks in a serious voice. "Sofia, stay close."

My eyes fall back on Sofia who stands there with an expression etched with concern. She immediately rushes to my side in an attempt to shield me from whatever heightened their senses.

But it is too late.

The hospital doors, they are see through. And what causes my blood to freeze in my veins is the crowd of individuals swarming the area. Mountains of cameras perched in every single person's hands as they all try to push through two large bulky men dressed in security outfits.

Every morsel in my body is paralyzed at the sight, a violent tremor shoots through my body as I feel my chin tremble.

Panic lifts bile up my throat as I turn my head back into uncles direction who seems to be talking to another individual.

"Alert all security, nobody in or out of the hospital." He speaks sternly as he moves himself to shield me from the rivers of people.

However, it's too late. They catch a glimpse of me and a chain of shrieks erupts.

"Look, it's the princess!"

"Over here Anastasia!"

"Is it true that you demanded not to be included in the royal life?!"

"Was it due to the incident your mother had years ago-."

A sick feeling churns in my stomach as the urge to vomit suddenly shadows my entire being. My body is frozen and moisture gathers in my eye. Everything is a blur and my vision struggles to focus.

Finding it more difficult to breathe by the moment as my mind focuses on the notion of the storm that is about to hail down on me as I am ushered away from the scene.