The Truth

"I," She begins,"I wasn't supposed to be here, honestly."

She notices their gazes are uncertain as they listen.

"My parents essentially kidnapped me. I thought I was ahead of them and could escape," She pauses," But, they were somehow ahead of me. I was supposed to move in with my girlfriend-"

"Girlfriend?" Julien yells.

She gives him an annoyed look," Yes, my girlfriend. My parents were always narrow-minded. I don't think I've ever been enough for them. Especially once they found out about my girlfriend. My mother didn't talk to me often after that day. If she did, it was to belittle me or something else messed up."

She sighs, the situation sinking in hard, "My friends and I had a plan. We had already moved all of the heavy or awkward furniture to the new place and I just kept my bag with whatever I needed. Well, as I was leaving, some guy tried to chloroform me. My parents must have hired him. I thought I had beat him to the door, but he got me. I woke up in my mom's car and escaped when I had the chance."

She notices the eyes on her are almost sympathetic, besides Julien's.

"What kind of parent does that to their kid?" She hears Shadow mutter.

Lucian looks at him briefly, agreeing with him,"That's not right, what they did."

She remains silent, unsure of what to say at first,"I agree. I don't know why they can't accept me, but I guess I don't need their approval as it is."

Lucian looks at her gently, "I am sorry about your parents, I wish I could say that I understand the feeling."

She nods silently, still contemplating how the situation was going to end. Would they take her back to her parents or even back to Natalia? Or, would she stay there?

"So," She breaks the silence,"How did you three come to live here?"

She had the idea to ask Lucian about how he spoke to her telepathically, but didn't want to bring it up in front of the others.

Shadow and Lucian laugh nervously, as if there's something they don't want to say.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want. I'm simply curious is all."

"We don't mind you asking," Lucian smiles," It's just been a long time that we've been here."

"How old are you three?"

"Old enough," Shadow answers the question vaguely.

She nods, not wanting to push buttons.

"I just mean the location of the house. Is this by the woods?"

"It is, we live within the woods."

"How come?"

"To be away from people. More privacy, and nature is...soothing."

She nods,"That's true. Socializing isn't really for me, either."

Lucian looks at her carefully,"Did you have any other questions for us?"

"You may ask," He speaks to her mentally.

She words her question carefully,"How do you speak so casually?"

"Telepathically?"

She looks at the other two, unsure of the situation. Shadow has a look of disapproval, but Julien isn't even paying attention.

"Yes."

Lucian pauses,"Do you believe in otherworldly creatures?"

She nods,"I do. I don't know what's truly out there, but I'd like to know. I'd just also not like to die while doing so."

"Well, as cliche as this is going to sound," He starts," I am a vampire. As is Julien."

She blinks at him,"Why tell me this? Especially, when I'm just a normal person who could somehow harm you."

"Honestly," He gives her a gentle look,"I feel like we can trust you. You seem to be trustworthy and you're smart. You would have noticed our behavior at some point."

"How long will I be staying here? And, how do I know that you're not just making this up?"

"Would you like me to show you? Would that help you to trust us?"

She nods hesitantly, not truly believing his story.

She watches as his form changes, he even spreads some sort of wings.

"How do you hide those under clothes?"

Lucian sighs,"It's not easy, but that's why we're out here."

As she is about to ask another question, there's a knock at the door. She notices the three exchange glances of concern.

"I will go see who that is, and I am not ignoring your question. It has only been a short time since you have been here, but you are welcome to stay for as long as you need. You said you and your friends already have a place, so whenever you are ready to find them, we will take you back. We'll just need directions."

They look in the direction of the door. She feels a sense of dread, as if the person behind the door is a danger.

"Do you sense it, as well?"

She notices Shadow giving her a look and nods,"I don't know why, though. I just have a bad feeling."

"You need to hide," Lucian looks directly at Cassandra,"It's Damian, please just hide and I'll explain."

"Who's-"

She looks at the other two for some sort of explanation, but they look almost panicked.

"What is he doing back so early?"

"I'm not sure, but it's more than likely to cause trouble."

Cassandra heads to her room quickly, hearing the almost irritated voice of whoever Damian is.

"Welcome back, Damian."

"Where's the girl?"

His voice was deep and cold. She quietly closes the door behind her, surveying the room for anywhere to hide.

"I said, where's the girl?"

"Hide," She heard Lucian say in her mind,"Anywhere you can."

She quietly, but quickly places her bad under the bed. If her bag remains visible to this person, he'd know that she was in there. She makes her way to the small closet as she hears them enter the room. The closet was small enough for her to be hidden behind articles of clothing, making her feel a tiny bit safer.

"Where are you hiding her?" Damian demanded.