As you return to the apartment, your thoughts are much too frantic for you to sleep. Was it real? Could you trust this vampire? What about your siblings? Would he kill them if you refused? Did you really have a choice?
You remain seated at the small table in the apartment until light begins to peek through the curtain. Elisa finally begins to waken, the conscientious little girl knowing that she has to be up at dawn to finish all her chores. You are usually well on your way to the Tynon's business by that time.
"Sis...ter?" Elise groggily asks, sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbing her eyes. Seeing the lightening sky, she panics a bit, but tries to keep her voice low as to not startle Garn. "Sister! Did something happen? Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be at work?!"
You've realized the truth by now. You have to leave this place, one way or another, and you have to take your siblings with you if they are to survive. However, you are still not sure if you trust Marquis Rajes. But even if he does not show up, tonight is the only chance you would have to leave the city, since you cannot go outside in the daytime. Plastering a smile on your face, you look at Elisa.
"Nothing is wrong," you reply quietly. "I received a job offer yesterday, and it seems pretty promising, but we have to move away from here this evening. You don't have to do any chores, and we will just finish the leftover food, so pack your belongings and help Garn to pack when he wakes up, okay?"
Elisa's face goes from worry to wonder, then back to a slight anxiety, but she obediently nods and does as you have directed. You begin to pack as well, slipping the coins you stole and what extra food you have into one of the baskets. When Garn awakes, you explain things to him, then continue packing. None of you have any traveling pouches or trunks, so all of your few belongings in the world are tucked into various sacks and baskets, but only as much as you felt each of you could carry. You also have your siblings wear their best clothes, which isn't much, but at least they are not threadbare.
By the time the evening twilight colors the sky, you are helping Elisa and Garn trundle their packs down the rickety stairs that lead to your apartment. Giving it what you pray will be a last look, you shut the door and take your siblings' hands.
Now, would Marquis Rajes actually be waiting as he said he would? Or would you have to take your siblings on the run in the countryside?