The other two sisters also turned.
And the moment they saw how terrified Charlotte looked their expressions immediately softened with sympathy.
Anya stepped forward to place a comforting hand on Charlotte's shoulder.
"It's fine, Charlotte." She said gently. "It's alright. You can stay right here. No one is forcing you to come inside."
Astrid moved to her other side, wrapping her tail around her sister in a protective embrace.
"I can stay with you too." She offered. "I know how much the scene inside affects you."
Her face twisted with a grimace, as if recalling unpleasant memories.
"But it's alright. We can go somewhere else while Mika and Anya takes care of business."
Hearing those words, Charlotte felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
Despite all their fighting, despite their petty squabbles, her sisters loved her.
They would protect her, support her, never force her to face her fears alone.
But still, she couldn't accept it. She opened her mouth to speak—
"No"
