❝ 𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ❞ ʲᵃˢᵖᵉʳ ʰᵃˡᵉ ( EN )

☇ 𝟬𝟰

Theodora crossed the threshold of the large house, her heart pounding in her chest. The spacious, light-filled interior felt eerily calm for such a terrifying situation. Everything was too quiet, too still. The light wooden furniture, the polished marble floor, the large windows overlooking the forest... Her breathing was shallow, and she felt oppressed, as if this perfect and elegant home was nothing more than a prison. She felt the weight of Jasper's gaze on her back, a presence both icy and suffocating. Her throat tightened as she struggled to hold back the tears threatening to overflow.

She jumped when the door closed behind her with a sharp click, echoing like a fateful sound. Jasper remained close to her, his figure motionless, frozen in a rigid stance. His golden eyes shone with a cold, almost contemptuous glint. She didn't understand why he was so angry with her. It was an accident; she had never intended to witness... that. A shiver ran through her again as she recalled the scene in the forest, the violence with which he had killed that animal, the thirst she had seen in his eyes.

"Come, they're waiting for you." Jasper's voice was low but carried an undeniable authority.

She hesitated for a second before following him through the spacious hall. Her legs felt heavy, as if the ground was trying to swallow her. With every step, her mind screamed at her to run, but she knew it was impossible. They were too fast, too strong. She was at their mercy.

They reached a large living room where a warm light emanated from a fireplace. Inside, several figures were sitting or standing, all turned toward her. The atmosphere shifted as soon as she entered, a heavy, palpable silence settled, as if everyone was holding their breath.

Carlisle Cullen was the first to stand. Tall, slender, his features were gentle, kind. His golden eyes seemed almost comforting, in stark contrast to Jasper's. He approached her with a smile that could have calmed anyone, except Theodora. She had seen what they were capable of. How could she feel safe in this place, surrounded by... vampires?

Carlisle stepped toward her, a benevolent smile on his lips. "We're sorry for all of this. What is your name?" he asked, in a soft yet grave voice.

Theodora swallowed with difficulty, unable to speak for a few seconds. Her throat was tight with fear and uncertainty. She blinked, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart before answering, "Theodora... My name is Theodora."

"Very well, Theodora," Carlisle said in a soothing tone, "I understand that you're terrified by what you saw. But know that we don't want to hurt you. We've discussed the situation, and there are several options to consider."

Theodora clenched her fists, feeling the anxiety rising. She had no desire to hear these "options," knowing that none would be pleasant.

"The first would be to eliminate you," Carlisle continued, still as calm.

Theodora felt her heart stop for a split second, panic rising within her. She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Esme placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"That's not what we want, of course," Esme said, a reassuring smile on her face. "We're looking for another solution."

"The second option would be to turn you into a vampire," added Rosalie, her voice cold and distant, as if the idea did not appeal to her.

"No!" Theodora exclaimed, horrified. Her words came out louder than she intended, but she couldn't contain her total rejection of the idea. She didn't want to become like them. It was unimaginable.

A heavy silence followed her words as she tried to catch her breath. Her throat was so dry that she struggled to swallow. A weighty silence followed her words. Alice exchanged a look with Edward before stepping forward gently.

"There's a third option," she said with an encouraging smile. "We can monitor you, protect you, until we're sure you're no longer a threat to us. We'll watch you very closely. One of us will always be nearby, either in an adjoining room or outside your house, but you'll never be completely alone. This way, we can make sure that you don't pose any danger to us or yourself."

Theodora frowned, trying to understand. "You mean... you'll always... be there? All the time? Even when I'm at home?"

"Yes," Edward replied calmly. "In addition to our physical presence, we'll also use our abilities. Alice can see the future and will have visions if you do anything risky, and I'll be able to read your thoughts. It's thanks to Alice that we knew you would be here even before Jasper said anything."

Theodora felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought that Alice could see her future and Edward could read her thoughts. This constant surveillance, even mental, terrified her more than she could have imagined. She straightened slightly. "And at school? How will that work? You can't... stick to me all the time."

Edward exchanged a glance with Alice, then replied, "We'll be there too, but more discreetly. We'll make sure you don't speak to anyone or take any risks. For example, we'll stay in adjacent rooms or near you without being in your face. A bit like with... Bella."

Theodora frowned at the mention of that name. "Bella? Who's Bella?"

Edward exchanged a quick look with Alice before answering. "Bella is... someone very important to us. She was human, like you, but she discovered our secret several years ago. She chose to join our world."

Theodora's eyes widened in surprise. "She was turned?"

"Yes," Alice replied, a gentle smile on her lips. "It was her choice, but the situation was different. Bella is now married to Edward, and they have a daughter. That's why she's not here right now. She's at home with Renesmee."

Theodora's world tilted even further. "She... she has a child?" she asked, incredulously.

"Yes," Edward replied, his gaze softening as he spoke of his family. "Renesmee is unique, half-human, half-vampire. Bella is taking care of her at the moment, which is why you haven't met her yet."

Theodora remained silent for a moment, trying to process this new information. Bella, this human-turned-vampire, living here with her own family... It was another facet of this world she had just discovered, and it only reinforced her feeling of being plunged into something far beyond her. "So... you'll never leave me alone?" she murmured, feeling the anxiety rise again at the thought of never having a single moment to herself.

Alice stepped forward with a reassuring smile. "We'll give you some privacy, of course, but we'll always be there to make sure everything goes well."

Theodora lowered her eyes, struggling not to let the tears flow. The thought of living like this, under constant surveillance, terrified her almost as much as the other options. But at least she would be alive.