Looks are deceiving

2. Unspoken words

After the trip to Caleb's mansion and the first interactions between Regina and him, everything seemed to be going well. They had started getting to know each other better, and the conversations flowed more naturally. However, something in the air had changed. Although Regina was enjoying Caleb's company and the kids at the mansion, an unsettling feeling lingered in her mind, a strange sensation she couldn't shake.

That day, while enjoying the sun in the garden, with the children playing nearby, everything felt too calm, as if time had stopped, until the letter arrived, interrupting her peace. Caleb's message was an unexpected blow, something she never imagined would happen so soon. The news of his father's death left her stunned and confused, and she couldn't understand why Caleb hadn't mentioned anything before.

After reading the letter, the confusion and concern for Caleb began to grow. A week passed without hearing from him, without being able to contact him. The tension inside Regina grew as she wondered if there was more behind his absence. Despite the uncertainty, she carried on with her routine, taking the kids to the park, but when they arrived there, a new unexpected twist awaited them.

"What's going on? Can't we go in?" I asked, my voice filled with surprise.

"Not today, miss," the man replied, his tone firm.

"I'm a guest of the house. I'm sure Caleb mentioned me," I said, hoping it would help.

"Sorry, today is only for special guests," he said, his expression unyielding.

I sighed, turning to the children. "Well, guys, let's head back to the house." The kids' disappointed faces tugged at my heart.

The whole situation felt strange—why had the park closed without any warning or explanation? Later that evening, after putting the kids to bed, curiosity got the best of me. I ventured outside again, heading toward the park. The men were still standing guard by the entrance. Determined, I decided to sneak in. I knew there was a staff door in the back, so I made my way there. When I saw someone entering, I quickly wedged my foot in the door, stopping it from closing and slipped inside.

I needed to know what was really going on in there.

I crouched behind trash bins, moving carefully to stay out of sight. The air was tense with a bustle of people gathered around something, but I couldn't quite make it out. I edged closer, my heart pounding. To my shock, I saw Caleb sitting on a kind of throne atop a large box.

I froze. He wasn't supposed to be here. He had lied to us.

The people surrounding him were chanting, praising him like some kind of god. I didn't understand. What was going on?

Before I could process it, I felt a hand grip my arm from behind, and I screamed in surprise.

"I knew I smelled an intruder," a voice sneered.

I turned to see Caleb, but he wasn't the Caleb I thought I knew. His mouth opened, revealing sharp fangs as he advanced toward my neck. A wave of panic surged through me as I screamed again.

The people around us turned in unison, and Caleb, upon seeing me, spoke sharply to one of them in Dutch. The man hesitated, then stepped back, though he still held on to me. Caleb moved closer, a scowl on his face.

"What are you doing here? Didn't they tell you you couldn't come in?" His voice was laced with anger.

"I... I just wanted to..." I stammered, but he cut me off, whispering something to another man nearby. The two of them grabbed me and started pulling me away.

"Caleb? What did you say to him? What's going on?" I asked, panic rising in my chest as I was dragged out of the park.

They pushed me out, slamming the gate behind me. The whole thing felt so surreal, and a thousand questions swirled in my mind.