Three

Eva carefully cradled her newborn in her arms as she approached the car. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her young shoulders, but she knew she had to remain strong for her family. Millie and Eddie, her twin siblings, trailed behind her, their tiny hands intertwined with fear etched across their faces.

“Come, let's hurry now.” Eva whispered nervously as they hurried along.

The air was cool and crisp as they entered the dimly lit street. The moon loomed high above, casting an ethereal glow over the surrounding houses. Eva's heart raced with a mixture of anxiety and determination. They had to leave to escape the danger that lurked behind their home. She had no idea if they were being followed or watched. She knew that she had to act quickly.

As they reached the car, Eva gently placed the newborn in the car seat's safety. She exchanged a worried glance with Millie and Eddie, their eyes reflecting the same fear that gnawed at her own heart. They were just children, innocent and unprepared for the threats that awaited them. She knew leaving was their only choice if they were going to have any chance at surviving.

“Oh, Eva. Are we going to be ok? Are they coming after us like they did our pack? Please don't let them hurt us?” Eddie burst out crying, and Eva felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart.

Poor Eddie and Millie had just started to come to terms with losing their mother, but now they had no idea if their father was still alive, let alone anyone else from the pack.

But they looked up to their big sister, and they knew that they would be safe with her. They adored her and she adored them.

Millie reached out to comfort her twin brother, and he nodded at her reassurance.

Taking a deep breath, Eva summoned all her courage and offered a reassuring smile to her siblings. "It's going to be okay," she said, trembling slightly. "We're going to get through this together."

Millie clutched onto her brother's hand, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm scared, Eva," she whispered. “Please, let us be ok. I miss Daddy.”

Eva knelt, her voice filled with determination. "I know, Millie, but we have to be brave. We'll find a safe place. I promise."

Eddie nodded, his bottom lip quivering. The weight of the circumstances visibly weighed on such young souls. Eva fought back her tears, the responsibility of protecting them driving her forward.

With trembling hands, Eva opened the car doors, and they climbed inside. She nestled into the driver's seat, her gaze lingering on the familiar surroundings they were about to leave behind. She could hear the distant rustle of leaves in the wind, a stark reminder of how quickly their lives had changed. The trees, standing tall and proud, seemed to whisper words of strength and resilience.

As Eva started the car's engine, the loud purr filled the silence, triggering a sense of urgency within her. They had to leave. The longer they delayed, the closer danger loomed. Eddie clutched onto his sister's arm, his tiny fingers digging into her skin. Millie leaned over, soft sobs spilling from her small frame. They were terrified, but Eva had no choice but to push forward.

“Eddie, Millie, come on, be brave for me now. We have to be strong. It's just the four it is against the world now.” Eva told them as she gazed at them in the rearview mirror.

As she peeled out of the forest and onto the main road, the streetlights faded into a blur as they sped away. The place, once a haven of warmth and familiarity, now seemed ominous and suffocating. She could feel the weight of the darkness closing in around them, threatening to swallow them whole.

As they left the home and all her memories behind, the landscape transformed into a sea of towering trees. The air grew cooler, and birds chirping filled the silence. Eva's grip on the steering wheel tightened, her knuckles growing pale. The wilderness before them was beautiful and foreboding, its secrets hidden within the depths of each uncharted path.

The chirping of birds starkly contrasted with the tension in the air. They were free, soaring through the open skies, oblivious to the dangers that plagued their kind.

Millie and Eddie stared out the windows, their eyes widening at the sight of nature's beauty juxtaposed with their uncertainty.

Eva's heart ached for her siblings, realising just how much their childhood had been stolen from them. However, there was no time for self-pity. She had to be their beacon of strength, their guardian in this chaotic world.

As they drove through the winding roads, Eva's thoughts raced with the weight of their situation. They were entering human territory, a realm of safety but full of potential dangers. No longer could they rely solely on the protection of their supernatural pack; now, they had to navigate the complex world of humans, blending in and escaping notice.

With every mile that they drove, the desperation to keep her family safe grew stronger within Eva. She had to stay strong for Millie and Eddie to assure them they would endure this ordeal. They deserved a chance at an everyday life, one that wasn't marred by shadows and fear.

Eva's grip on the steering wheel tightened even more as they drove deeper into unknown territories.

She stole a glance at her siblings. Fear marred their innocent faces, but beneath it, she saw resilience and determination. They hadn't chosen this path, but they were walking it together, bound by love and a determination to protect one another.

Eva wiped away a stray tear, refusing to let her emotions consume her. She had to remain strong, not only for herself but for Millie, Eddie, and her newborn baby, who was sleeping peacefully, oblivious to everything going on.

Suddenly, Eva slammed on the brakes and let out an almighty scream as something ran out before her.