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The atmosphere in the room shifted when Esme's soft voice broke the silence. "Our children will be coming home soon," she said, her words light and casual as though it was something I should look forward to. "They've all gone out for the evening but'll be back shortly."

Her words hit me like ice water. I froze, my mind racing as I remembered what Carlisle had said earlier—about his family, about the other vampires who lived here. I couldn't stay. I shouldn't wait. The thought of being surrounded by more of them, their strange intensity and unspoken plans, made my chest tighten. I needed to leave.

I stood abruptly, my eyes darting toward the door, but my movements were stopped short when I realised Carlisle was still holding my rabbit. He cradled it carefully in his hands, his expression calm but unyielding. He wasn't giving it back.

"Wait," Esme said gently, her voice soothing but with an edge of firmness. She stepped closer to me, her golden eyes watchful. "You don't have to go just yet. You haven't even met our children. They'll love you, I'm sure of it. You'll get along so well."

Her words didn't comfort me. They only made the panic in my chest tighten further. My hands curled into fists at my sides, my breaths shallow and uneven. I wanted to leave. I wanted my rabbit. But they weren't letting me go.

Carlisle spoke then, his voice low and steady, almost as if he were reasoning with a frightened animal. "You've been doing so well, Daisy," he said, his eyes flicking briefly to the rabbit in his hands. "But you'll need more blood soon. Staying here will make that easier."

I barely heard him. His words were background noise as my focus locked on my rabbit. Its small body moved faintly with each breath, the soft rise and fall of its chest both soothing and unbearable. It was mine. I needed it back.

My chest felt tight, a knot of confusion, frustration, and sadness winding tighter with every moment. I frowned deeply, my lips trembling as I tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. I wanted to tell them to let me go, to give me my rabbit, but my voice refused to work. All I could do was stare, my eyes glued to the fragile creature in Carlisle's hands.

"You'll love our family," Esme continued, her voice still warm, but there was a hint of insistence creeping into it now. "We'll all take care of you. You won't ever have to be alone again. Doesn't that sound nice?"

No. It didn't sound nice. It sounded terrifying. I didn't want to meet them. I didn't want to stay here. I just wanted my rabbit and the safety of the woods. My breathing hitched, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, though I fought them back fiercely.

Esme stepped closer, her movements slow and deliberate, and then her hand reached out to touch mine.

The moment her fingers brushed my skin, I reacted instinctively, ripping my hand away and clutching it to my chest. The contact had been brief, but it sent a jolt through me—confusion, fear, and something else I couldn't name. My wide eyes darted to hers, but she didn't look angry or upset. If anything, she seemed patient. Too patient.

"Daisy," she said softly, as though nothing had happened. "It's alright."

It wasn't alright. None of this was alright. I turned my focus back to Carlisle, back to my rabbit, but Esme's hand reached for mine again. This time, her grip was firm, and no matter how hard I tugged, I couldn't pull free.

"Let go," I whispered, my voice trembling, though I knew she wouldn't. Her grip wasn't painful, but it was unyielding. I wasn't strong enough to break away.

"You're safe here," she said, her tone still calm, still too kind. "We just want to help."

I shook my head violently, my free hand clutching the front of my shirt as my panic grew. My eyes darted between Esme and Carlisle, my focus snapping back to the rabbit whenever I could. Its breathing was steady, its soft chest rising and falling as if it wasn't aware of the chaos around it.

Carlisle finally spoke, his voice soft but carrying an edge of authority. "Daisy, you can have your rabbit back, but only if you promise to stay and meet my family. It's important. For all of us."

His words felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me. He wasn't giving me a choice. My rabbit was still in his hands, still mine, but I couldn't touch it. I couldn't hold it. Not until I said what he wanted me to say.

Tears threatened to spill as I stared at the rabbit, my voice cracking as I whispered, "Please."

Carlisle's expression didn't falter, but his gaze was steady and expectant. "Promise you'll stay, Daisy," he said gently. "That's all we ask."

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words suffocating. My eyes stayed locked on the rabbit, the only thing grounding me in this strange, overwhelming place. My lips trembled, but I managed to nod slowly, barely able to force the word out. "Okay."

Esme's grip on my hand loosened, and she smiled softly, her other hand brushing my shoulder. "Good. That's very good, Daisy."

Carlisle stepped forward, finally placing the rabbit back into my arms. Its warmth filled me immediately, the steady rhythm of its breathing easing the tightness in my chest. I hugged it close, burying my face in its soft fur as tears slipped silently down my cheeks.

But even as relief washed over me, a nagging unease remained. I was still here. I still wasn't free.

3rd December 2024
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