He kissed her lightly before pulling her closer, curling around her. He closed his eyes and sighed contentedly, his fingers drawing small circles on the back of her neck.
Awhile later, in the earliest hours of the morning when the sky is still night and the world is silent, a creak sounded across the floor, and before Avice had time to shift, a thin hand clasped over her mouth. Struck by fear, she froze, her voice catching in her throat as her eyes went wide. The scene was soundless, and the silhouette of Charlotte roughly grabbed her arm, careful of the sleeping figure beside Avice. Pulling her up, her hand remained over her mouth, the other wrapping around her throat as she pulled her quietly out of the room.
Where she was remained unoccupied. In the other room, Charlotte had tied Avice's hands behind her back, and put cloth around her mouth to silence her, although she made no noise in the first place, her state strangely submissive and quiet, but her eyes remained fearful.
Jack stood up, wrapping the blanket around him and rubbing his eyes. He left the room, his feet cold on the floor. “Avice?”
Charlotte brushed through her hair gently with her fingers, the touch made Avice shudder. The grin on the woman's face widened as she spoke in a whisper. "Such pretty eyes. Such pretty eyes."
Jack pushed open the door, yawning slightly. He paused, his gaze skimming over the situation. “What.... What’s going on?!?”
Avice's eyes traced the floor, barely reacting to his voice. Charlotte seemed surprised, but grinned, holding up a sharp kitchen knife, kneeling down as she pressed it to Avice's temple. "Such pretty eyes, right?"
His eyes darted between Avice and Charlotte and he took a deep breath, struggling to keep calm. "Oh? My eyes are prettier," he said in a smooth tone, taking a subtle step forward.
Charlotte pursed her lips. "You're eyes are blue," she noted. "Avice has her dad's eyes. They had the sky."
"And mine has the ocean," he countered, taking another step closer. "I'll tell you what. Wouldn't you like the ocean and the sky?"
"Step back," she said sharply, moving the knife to her throat. "My daughter isn't for anyone, you know. Even if you are a doctor."
