Not A Small-Town Girl

----

Vivian sat quietly, brows furrowed, listening. She could tell

Judy’s words were aimed at Danielle, but she chose not to

speak up.

Danielle wasn’t interested in wasting any more time on her.

"Judy." Danielle called her name, and Judy instinctively

lifted her head to look at her. Danielle snapped her fingers

sharply. Judy’s eyes widened in shock, a flicker of panic

crossing her face.

"No, please don’t..."

But the next second, Judy’s eyes went empty, distant.

Danielle had hypnotized her.

----

It wasn’t the first time the Darling

family had seen Danielle use

hypnosis out every time it still leftz

them inde. The power was S

astounding—just one snap of Ker

fingéts and someone was instantly

r her control.

----

Hypnosis tooka lot of energy, which

was why Danielle had hesitated

before using it on all three of them:

She had Worried the toxins insides

her might get out of control if she

triedto handle too much at once.

----

“Judy, now | want you to answer my questions honestly. If

you agree, just nod your head," Danielle ordered.

Judy, still under the spell, nodded without hesitation.

"Who am |?" Danielle asked.

“Miss Danielle Darling," Judy replied, her voice mechanical.

"Good. Now tell me, what is your mission here, within the

Darling family?"

----

Judy’s face ceatorted with

resistance, h€r fists clenched tightly

as beads.of, weat appeared on her

forehead Danielle didn’t rush hers

watchiay her struggle with cold

detaghonent The resistance made

thegruth all the more satisfying

Wfien it came.

“Sub...submerge...waiting for Master’s orders...looking for

opportunities to eliminate the Darling family," Judy gasped

out, her voice barely audible.

----

Danielle’s eyes gleamed. "Are there any others in the

Darling family working with you?"

Judy struggled more, her lips trembling, and blood began to

spill from the corner of her mouth.

"Stop resisting," Danielle urged, her voice low and hypnotic.

"Speak, Judy. Tell me. The Master will take you with him if

you speak."

Judy’s resistance faltered as the word "Master" seemed to

trigger something within her. She finally gave in.

"Master... Ivan... lvan," she muttered.

----

Danielle’s eyes widened. Ivan? The long-time servant, who

had always seemed so loyal. This was a shock to the

Darling family.

At that moment, Elliot, Matthew, and Austin jumped to their

feet and rushed toward the door, determined to catch Ivan

before he could escape.

Judy looked up at Danielle with a blank expression. "No...

there’s no one else."

"Do you remember your Master’s name? Say it out loud,”

Danielle commanded.

Judy’s eyes glazed over completely as she muttered,

"Blair."

Danielle leaned in closer. "What about his appearance? Do

you remember what he looks like?"

----

“Of course. | always remember my Master,” Judy said, her

voice soft and distant.

"Good," Danielle sai: