Isobel anxiously walked back and forth in the hotel room, stealing occasional glances at the frightened four-year-old huddled on the bed.
The young girl fixed a piercing stare at Isobel.
She had thick, flowing chestnut hair, a broad forehead, and a distinct widow's peak.
Her eyes were a rich, deep brown, set widely apart.
A small, delicate nose adorned her face, complemented by prominent cheekbones.
Her lips, slightly fuller than expected for her slender jawline, and straight, thin eyebrows added to her captivating countenance.
'I want to go home!' The girl said defiantly.
'We're going home-'
'I don't want to go to your house!' The child insisted.
'Isabella,' she lamented, 'don't you want us to be twins?!'
'I want my mommy and daddy!' The child said as she stood on the bed.
The child then tripped over her own feet, fell, and hit her head on the nightstand, knocking herself out and the contents of the nightstand on the ground.
'Bella?!' Isobel cried as she rushed to the now bleeding girl.
A knock at the door made her jump; she looked between the door and the bleeding child.
'Hello, is anyone there?' Called a man's voice. 'I heard screaming and a glass shattering.'
'It's my daughter,' Isobel called, 'she knocked over a lamp.'
'Did she cut herself?' He asked. 'I am a doctor.'
The woman hesitated for a bit, then opened the door. A tall, middle-aged man with short dark blond hair, blue eyes, and a muscular man was wearing a white dress shirt, a black suit, and matching shoes.
'She hit her head,' Isobel sobbed.
'How long has she been out?' He asked.
'Only a few minutes.' She grabbed his wrist. 'Please!'
'Please, what?' He growled as he took a deep breath.
'Help her! Help Isabella!'
'She's bleeding.' He growled.
'Please-'
'Let me in.'
'What- Yes, yes, come in.'
He almost flew to the little girl, breathing her in. 'Her scent is orgasmic.'
'Oh, God,' Isobel sobbed, 'you're a-'
The man held up the girl, staring at her wound, before finally biting his wrist and feeding it to the child. 'Drink up, now, child.'
Isobel anxiously watched him as Bella's wound closed; he wiped the blood off her, then brought the bloody hand to his lips.
'Vampire.'
He turned to her, black veins under his eyes; Isobel looked between them.
'Who is this child to you?' He turned fully to her, holding the child in his arms.
'I'm her mother.'
'No,' the girl moaned in his arms. 'Not my mommy.'
The man took the child and sat her down on the bed. 'Stay put, little one.'
'Are you going to take me home?' She asked.
'Yes.' He then turned and rushed to Isobel, grabbing her by the neck. 'Why did you lie?'
'I didn't lie.'
'And she is?'
'No, no. She's misinformed.'
'How so?'
'I'm on vervain.'
'Vervain lets you resist compulsion, not pain.' He tightened his grip.
'Please don't hurt her,' The girl insisted. 'I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me.'
He turned to the girl, his face normal now, and smiled, 'It's okay, little one. No one will be harmed.'
'What's your name?'
'I am Mikael.'
'I'm Bella Swan.'
'How do you know her?'
'She said she knew my mommy and daddy-'
'Charlie and Renée.'
'Why did you say she's your daughter?'
'I gave birth to her.'
Mikael sighed and loosened his grip on her but held on to her neck.
'You have to take her back.'
'No, I want-'
'Do you really want her like this? She's terrified of you.'
Isobel looked at Bella; she was clutching a pillow.
'I only want to be a part of her life.'
'Then take her back, and maybe she'll come to you.'
Mikael let out a heavy sigh as he gazed at the empty home of the Swan family, his heart heavy with longing. It was not unexpected that the girl's family had departed, but he held on to a glimmer of hope that he might catch a final glimpse of her.
Lost in his thoughts, Mikael felt a slight tug on his pants leg and looked down to see a petite blonde girl dressed in pink, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Excuse me?" she said, her voice filled with innocence and eagerness.
Mikael met her gaze and replied, "Yes?"
"Hello," she beamed, her bright smile lighting her face.
"Hello," Mikael responded, a hint of warmth in his tone.
"I'm Caroline Forbes," she announced proudly.
"Hello, Caroline," Mikael acknowledged with a gentle nod.
Turning back to the house, Mikael silently hoped the young girl would soon move on.
"Are you here to see Bella?" She asked, not taking the hint.
"I was," he replied, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"Her family left," Caroline informed him, her words filled with sadness.
"I can see that," Mikael said, his gaze returning to the vacant house.
"She's not coming home," Caroline added, her voice tinged with resignation.
"I know," Mikael said softly, his heart heavy with understanding.
"What's your name?" Caroline inquired, her curiosity undimmed.
"I'm not going to tell," Mikael replied, annoyed.
"I told you my name," Caroline persisted.
"Mikael," he sighed, revealing his name with a sense of resignation. "My name is Mikael."
"Your name is Mikael?!" Caroline gasped, her eyes widening with surprise.
"Didn't your mother tell you not to talk to strangers, Caroline?" Mikael gently chided.
"I know your name; you're not a stranger," Caroline insisted, her innocence shining through.
"Go away, Caroline Forbes," Mikael said, gently nudging her to leave.
"Fine, but you won't get Bella's present then," Caroline threatened, her demeanor shifting.
Bella's present?! Mikael thought, his curiosity piqued as the young girl started to walk away.
"Wait, wait," he called out with a tinge of regret. "I'm sorry, Caroline." He touched his chest and continued, "I'm just sad."
"I know, Bella was my friend too," Caroline empathized, her voice reflecting her own feelings of loss.
Mikael stole a glance at Caroline; she was staring at the house with a wistful expression. "It hurts when the people you love leave," he remarked, his voice heavy with emotion.
"What if she forgets about me?" Caroline voiced her fear, her vulnerability laid bare.
"If you remember her, you can remind her when you meet again," Mikael said reassuringly.
Caroline sighed and put her hands on her hips, mirroring Mikael's feelings of helplessness. "I guess. If you see her again before I do, will you tell her not to forget me?"
"I promise," Mikael vowed, his voice filled with sincerity and compassion.
'What's this?' Asked the Petrova doppelgänger as she unfolded the worn paper.
'That's mine!' He roared as he grabbed her by the neck.
'Please.' She gagged.
'Don't. Touch. My. Things.'
Mikael snatched Bella's drawing, then flung the Petrova doppelgänger to the other side of the room. He carefully tucked the drawing into his pocket as the Petrova doppelgänger gracefully lifted herself from the floor; his gaze lingered on her.
'Ok, ok.' She gasped as she rubbed her neck. 'No touching.'
Resembling Tatia, she possessed an exceptional beauty and allurement: a heart-shaped face with delicate bone structure, a cascade of brown curly hair, and almond-shaped, deep brown eyes with thick, dark lashes.
But unlike Tatia, this thing wasn't a pure soul who loved life and everything in it.
This girl, and used the word loosely- something told Mikael that this one knew all about being loose- was the exact opposite of Tatia.
'What was your name again?'
'I'm Katherine.'