Chapter One: Golden Slumbers

(I don't own anything, nor do I profit from this.)

"Our destiny is frequently met in the very paths we take to avoid it."

~Jean de la Fontaine

One cigarette fell to the floor, burning out as it descended. A young girl, hidden behind a door, watched in fear as the man pulled out another cigarette. She wanted to cry out to her foster mother, but knew she couldn't; the man would hear. Although she was a young girl of just around ten years old, it seemed as though she had a mysterious, almost ethereal beauty. Her perfect olive skin went beautifully with her dark brown—nearly black—hair. What seemed to be most striking about her were her silvery grey eyes. In these grey eyes were despair, anguish, and suffering.

"So, dear Viera," the man said in his rough Czech accent. "Look at that cigarette…It burned bright and then—in a second, it's nothing…just like you." He paused, and his voice became very serious. "I need something from you, Viera."

"No, please…" The woman said softly. Her voice was strained.

"Tell me where the girl is."

"I don't have a girl. I don't know!"

"Liar!" He yelled, striking her in one swift move. Viera fell from her chair, her hands immediately going to the immense pain in her face. The girl shrunk behind the door, remaining unseen and unheard.

"Sir, there's no sign of the girl anywhere. She might not be lying." A second man said, sounding vaguely like an Englishman.

"Hovno." The Czech man said. "We have no need for her. Zabijte ji." He told the Englishman, stepping outside of the small home.

"Yes, sir."

"Ne, ne! Prosím...Nemůžu...Ne!" The women responded in Czech. "Ušetři mě. Prosím!"

"Bitch wants me to spare her." He laughed and drew his gun. "Budeme vídat brzy."

The Englishman also walked out, joining the other man outside.

"We still have to find the girl. Her powers could be...well, they could be legendary. If the rumours are true, Milena Clothos will become even stronger than any of her predecessors."

"We'll have to go back to Moravia. Retrace our steps, find everything we might've overlooked. We have to find her, Evzen."

The girl wiped the tears from her eyes as she slowly opened the door. She looked around for the women, but could not seem to find her. Viera had protected her since her birth, and treated her as though she was her own daughter. She had given her an education, a home, and the maternal love that her own mother had never had a chance to give.

"Viera? Where are you?" She cried out. There was no response, so she tried it once more. Still no answer. The young girl looked around once more, spotting a small, off-white envelope on the dusty counter that had her name on it.

Milena...I am sorry that I have failed to protect you. Please, do not waste your time and tears over me. It will not do you any good. The first chance you get, go to the Home for the Abused, Orphaned, and Under-Privileged - I know it doesn't sound nice, but please do this. It is run by Amber Tavett, a good friend of mine who will take care of you.

When you get there, tell her your name. There is a satchel I've left under your bed that should provide for you.

I love you so much, Milena. Never forget that.

~Viera

Milena followed her instructions, finding the bags that she had mentioned. Her long fingers held the the only picture of her and Viera, locked the doors and windows, and laid down, falling asleep with tears in her eyes.

Ahh…my first chapter! Reviews are very much appreciated!

Also, here are some Czech to English translations:

'Hovno' means 'Shit'

'Zabijte ji' means 'Kill her'

'Ne, ne! Prosím...Nemůžu...Ne!' means 'No, no! Please ...I Can't ...No'

'Ušetři mě. Prosím!' means 'Spare me. Please!'

'Děvka' means 'Bitch'

'Budeme vídat brzy' means 'We'll see each other soon'

(Sorry if the curses offended anyone!)

Lots of love,

x Poppy