~ JESSE ~
The shock was so complete and so mind-numbing, for a moment all I could do was shriek and stumble back a step. But then I blinked and shoved Rake off- but he only laughed and clawed at me, pulling me closer with his long arms and big hands and-
"Don't fight it, Jesse. There's no point. I'm your only hope now."
'Play along, Jesse- please!'
I blinked, shaking my head. "What the hell? What are you- "
"She doesn't seem excited to see you, Rake," my father chuckled.
"She will be. Whether she wants to be or not," he growled back, still pulling at me as I continued to back away and trying to fend him off.
"Rake, what are you doing?!"
'Showing them what they need to see.'
"I told you I'd get you away from him," Rake growled, his eyes locking on mine with that terrifying glint in them, his gaze piercing. "I told you it would cost you- well… here we are. I did my part, now it's time for you to do yours."