𝕸𝖘. 𝕴𝖓𝖋𝖆𝖒𝖔𝖚𝖘 (𝕻𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖞𝖊 𝕽𝖔𝖞𝖆𝖑𝖊 - 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 1)

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕿𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊 (3) - Revised

Before I know it, in the haze of healing pains and adjusting to not actively being hunted by supernatural creatures, a week passed. I've been living off of something Emerson called peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches. I've made them all myself, though Emerson showed me how. He said it's all he really knew how to make that was modern. Thankfully, they were simple to make, and didn't use many ingredients. I'd never cooked a day in my life, only ever ate what was given and scavenged. Living with these men wasn't so bad, though I wish I could say otherwise. They're quite different from what I expected. The food choices were minimal, not that I knew what a good meal was actually like, but I'm honestly just grateful they haven't decided I was a snack myself. I'm surprised that they even had human food at all. I'll see them around in the kitchen every couple of days, a wine glass of blood either in their hands or somewhere near them. They each hang around the house, doing their own thing. Turns out that Sebastian plays the guitar, so that must've been his room I first awoke in... and ended up hijacking for the rest of the night. Now, I've been moved into a guest bedroom, though I doubt they ever have guests.

There are some patterns I've noticed with these vampires, intent on learning their ways in case I need a quick escape, though I feel like something is missing, that something is wrong, without any weapons on my person. Emerson will sit in a side room with angelical scenery on the walls for hours at a time. He likes to draw, tapping his pencil and fingers on his leg, often lost in the foreign music he listens to that I can hear flowing from the room. Philosophy books, easels and paintings surround him, years of art lain anywhere there is room. Sometimes, I'll see Emerson and Remington together, or all three of the brothers, as they talk and laugh or enjoy their own hobbies, just existing together. Music will flow gently from that beautiful room as the three brothers fiddle with instruments late into the night when they think I've gone to sleep. The sound is calming, the instruments cadence something so foreign to my ears as it travels through my open doorway. Remington sits quietly on the couch reading a book most of the time, though I'll occasionally see him watching TV or with a notebook full of scribbled lyrics. He'll let me read his books since I have nothing else to do, though I sit as far from him as possible. He's nice but still, I don't trust them. I want to, they've been so kind, even Sebastian with his guarded, wary looks and small smiles.

Despite giving the impression that I've gathered a lot about these boys, I really don't leave my room often. I'm... well I'm scared. This is the longest I've gone without sleeping outside or being attacked. I like it, but at the same time, its disorienting. At least I somewhat knew what to expect while I was out in the unknown. I was able to build up some sort of routine. Scavenge for food for the day, try not to die, steal some supplies if given the chance, find shelter for the night, repeat. It was an easy enough to follow routine. It kept me sane while I was being hunted. A modicum of normalcy in my chaotic existence.

With every passing day, I allow myself to relax. Currently, I'm following Emerson around. He had knocked on my door in an effort to get me out of "that stuffy old room," and well, it worked. I'd likely have agreed to anything just to have an excuse to get up and move. I may as well enjoy the time I have here, keeping my distance. At any moment, I could lose this peace and be thrust back into the chaos and fear that is my life. Besides, he's been the nicest to me so far, and our first interaction showed he was at least true to his word of not hurting me, if only for a while.

"Shh." Emerson whispers, carefully raising an index finger to his lips in a motion of silence as I follow behind him into the living room.

The sound of rain pitter patters from outside, the large arched window's black curtains pulled back to reveal the forest scenery outside as water drenched everything it can. I've never done anything like this before and the new experience has me giddy. I reign in the unusual giggle of excitement I can feel building in my chest. A new experience. I've had so many in these last few months, and even being here with these vampires is something new to add to my collection. Remington is sitting on the couch, reading the first Harry Potter book for the umpteenth time, blissfully unaware. Well, I think he notices we're here, but cares more for his book than whatever we're doing. He does glance my way more than once, though I just barely catch him doing it. I watch quietly as Emerson creeps over to him with the clunky camera he's been holding. He looks over at me, mouthing, "3...2...1..."