They were running through the forest, trying to escape. She did not understand much of what was going on, but she did understand enough. A dark curse was coming that would tear everyone a part. Her parents had spent many months trying to find a way to escape and they finally did. They had found the last magic bean and they were going to use it to escape the curse. Unfortunately, the Evil Queen found out what they were going to do and was currently trying to stop them.

After minutes of running, she and her parents finally stopped to catch their breath.

"Do you think we lost her? Are we far enough away?" Her mother questioned.

Her father looked around. "I think we're safe."

"Think again," The Evil Queen said as she appeared in front of them. "Hand over the magic bean."

"Or what? You're going to kill us? That just might be better than being caught in your curse."

"So, you would condemn you child to death? My curse will let everyone live, you just won't have a happy ending." The Evil Queen opened her hand, forming a fireball. "Now, hand over the magic bean."

Her parents shared a look. Her father then rushed toward the Evil Queen while her mother turned and threw the magic bean; a portal opened up.

Her mother then kneeled down to her. "Iliya, know that we love you and everything we have done was for you."

"You are coming with me, aren't you?" Illiya asked.

Her father screamed. Her mother glanced back and saw him lying on the ground. The Evil Queen stood over him and threw another fireball at him.

"Papa!" Iliya screamed as tears began to fall down her face.

Her mother turned back to her and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Iliya. Be strong in this new land."

Before Iliya could say anything else, her mother pushed her through the portal. The last thing Iliya saw before the portal closed was her mother fall, and the face of the Evil Queen.

Iliya landed on a hard surface. It took her a moment to recover. She just lied there, staring up into the sky. "Mama, Papa."

Iliya was not sure how long she laid there, thinking about what had just happened. She knew her parents were dead and now she would never see them again.

Knowing she could not stay there forever, Iliya stood up, wiping her tears, and took in her surroundings. Where had she ended up? Everything around her was so different. There were enormous towers that looked much different than the castles in the Enchanted forest. The ground was much different as well. She did not know what it was, but she did know it was not dirt. It almost seemed like what a castle was made out of.

Iliya began walking, taking in everything that was different. She had just stepped off a step when something big and loud came barreling toward her; she quickly jumped out of the way. As it passed, a man stuck his head out. "Watch where you're going, kid!"

What was that? Instead of horses and carriages, people rode in those-those things. This was definitely different than her land.

She had no idea where she was going to go. She was all alone in this strange land and had no idea where to go or what to do. She continued walking around, hoping she could find something or someone to help.

By the time night had fallen, Iliya still had yet to find where to go. She was still trying to take everything in when her stomach growled, reminding her that she had not eaten since she got here. The question was, where was she going to get food? She had no money for food and she did not know anyone here that could help her. What was she to do?

There was only one way she could get food. Her Mama and Papa had always taught her that stealing was wrong, but it was the only thing she could do.

She wandered around until she found the perfect place to steal some food; a cart. At least that was familiar to her. It took her a few minutes to get the courage to actually steal the food. She thought about all the ways it could go wrong. If she got caught, what was she going to say? What would they do to her when they found she had no parents and nowhere to go? Would they cast her out of the town? Would they lock her up?

Iliya shook her head. No use thinking about what could happen. She had to focus on what was happening now. When the person turned to help someone, Iliya made her move. She quickly ran to the cart, took some food, and then ran off.

She was surprised at how easy that was. But, this was not going to become a habit. She was going to figure out how to get food without stealing and a way to make money.

Iliya soon found an alley way. It was out of the way so no one would bother her. She walked down to the end, sat down, and ate her food. When she was done she made a little bed out of the things she found in the alley. Tomorrow, she had to come up with a plan. As she drifted off to sleep she held her wooden knight close. It was something her best friend had given her and it was the only thing she had of her home.

The next morning, Iliya woke up in pain. The alley had not been the most comfortable of places. She stood and stretched. When she woke, she had hoped that yesterday, that everything that had happened was all just a dream, but it wasn't. It all happened. She was in a new land alone, and her parents…her parents were dead, killed by the Evil Queen.

Iliya walked to the end of the alleyway, and as she clutched her wooden knight she watched as the people walked by. They went on with their lives not knowing what had happened in her land. They might not even know there were other lands.

After a few more moments of standing there, Iliya started walking. She was hoping that someone would see her by herself and ask if she needed help, but no one did. It was like she was invisible. Even if someone did ask if she needed help she wouldn't know what to say.

She continued walking until she came upon a play area where there were children running around. She stopped, watching them as they laughed with not a care in the world.

"Mommy, look what I can do," One of the kids said as she did a flip on some bars.

"You're getting very good at that."

Tears formed in Iliya's eyes. Her mother…she would never see her mother again.

"Hey, what are you doing over here all by yourself?"

Iliya quickly wiped her eyes and looked at the boy who had come up to her. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"Did you want to come play with me and my friends?"

She didn't feel like playing, but maybe it would help her get her mind off of what happened; she nodded.

The boy smiled. "I'm Josh. What's your name?"

"Iliya."

"Come on."

Iliya followed as Josh led her to the play area with the other kids. At first, Iliya just stood there. How could she play and be happy when her parents were just killed? How could she go on with her life when her whole world was gone?

"Iliya, aren't you going to play?" Josh asked.

Iliya nodded as she climbed on the play thing.

It wasn't easy trying to play and be happy with everything that happened. She tried to put everything out of her mind and just focus on what was happening now, but that was easier said than done. A few times Josh had to repeat what he had said because Iliya's mind would wander to her parents. At one point, one of the other kids asked if Iliya was going to cry. She quickly turned away to wipe her eyes.

"I like your toy." Josh said. "I have a soldier at home, but mom wouldn't let me bring him. She said I might lose him. I'm sure my soldier and yours would have been great friends."

Iliya smiled at his attempt to cheer her up. It did make her feel better, but at the same time her heart was hurting. Josh mentioning his soldier only reminded Iliya of her friend and how they used to play together.

The two of them continued playing together and after a while, Iliya was feeling a bit better. She could almost forget about everything that happened if just for a little while. But all good things come to an end, and Josh's mother called to him.

"Josh, it's time to head home."

"Ok," Josh answered. He looked over at Iliya. "It was fun playing with you." He then ran off to his mother.

Soon, all the other children were heading home as well while Iliya just stood there. One mother was about to leave, but noticed Iliya standing by herself so she made her way over to her.

"Is your mother coming for you?" She asked.

Iliya hugged her wooden knight close. "My mother is coming," Iliya answered, not meeting the woman's eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. She is coming."

"All right." The woman then left.

Iliya remained where she was as she said, "Mama's coming. She's coming. She's…" Kneeling down, tears streamed down her face. No one was coming for her.

Daylight started to fade by the time Iliya decided to get up. She only took a few steps before her stomach growled reminding her that she had had nothing to eat that day. She began walking in search of food. She thought she could go back to the stand where she stole food yesterday, but she couldn't remember which way that was. Everything looked the same.

After walking for a bit, Iliya stopped to take in her surroundings. She still had no idea where she was or where to go. She watched the people as they walked by and went into a building just a few feet from her. She took a few steps and gazed through the window. It must be a shop because people were grabbing things and giving, what Iliya assumed was money, to the person behind the counter. She had nothing to give. Well, she did have her wooden knight, but there was no way she was going to part with that.

Iliya hesitated at the door. There were a lot of people here. What if this time she got caught? What would happen to her?

Iliya shook her head. She couldn't think of what might happen. She had to focus on what was going on right now. Taking a deep breath, she walked in the shop.

Walking through the shop, Iliya saw many strange foods. Some of them she wasn't even sure if they were food. She wandered up and down the shop trying to find something that looked good enough to eat.

Her stomach growled once again. Making a quick decision, Iliya grabbed something and crossed her arms trying to hide it. As she made her way to the door, she glanced around to see if anyone saw her. Just as she thought she was going to get away with it someone stepped in front of her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Iliya glanced up at the man. "Um, outside."

"Not until you hand over what you just took."

Iliya took a step back. "I…I don't know what you mean."

The man sighed as he kneeled down. "Listen, kid, I saw you take something. Now, I don't want to get mean but I will if I have to."

Knowing she wasn't going to get away, Iliya handed over what she stole.

"Where are your parents?"

Iliya said nothing as she looked down.

"Come with me."

Iliya remained silent as she followed him, wondering what was going to happen. She took a glance back and thought about making a run for it, but then decided against it. He was probably faster than her and would catch her with no problem.

He led her to a back room and told her to sit at the table. He took a step to leave, but then turned back and gave Iliya the food she had stolen. He then left the room.

Iliya opened the package and began eating. She was halfway done when she decided to see what the man was doing. She only had to stand in the doorway to hear him since he was in the room across the way.

"No, I don't think she has anyone." The man was saying. "She might be homeless. It doesn't look like she's had clean clothes in a while."

The man was silent. Iliya had no idea who he was talking to. There was a strange device he held against his ear. Perhaps that was some sort of talking device. How does that work, she wondered?

"All right, thanks." The man then put the device down. Iliya quickly went back to the table to finish eating.

The man soon came back in the room. "All right, kid, someone is coming to pick you up."

Iliya's eyes widened in panic. What did he mean? Who was going to pick her up? And where would she be taken?

The man must have seen the panic in her eyes because he said, "A police officer is coming to get you. He'll help you."

While the man went back to work, Iliya was left in the room to wonder what was going to happen to her. Why did things have to be so wrong?

It felt like forever before the man had come back with another man. This one was dressed in blue clothes. Iliya's eyes landed on his belt where she noticed something strange. She wasn't sure what it was, but had a feeling it might be a weapon of some sort. Her fear began to rise.

The man sat in a chair next to Iliya. "What's your name?"

"Iliya."

"That's a pretty name. My name is Michael. You're going to come with me and I'm going to help you, all right?"

Iliya stared at him. Could she trust this man? Well, it probably didn't matter. There was no way she could escape so going with him was the only thing she could do. Finally, Iliya nodded.

Michaela smiled at her as he held out his hand. A bit hesitant, Iliya took his hand. He then led her out of the shop and to one of the strange carriages and soon they were on their way.

As they rode to their destination, Iliya looked out the window taking in more of this strange new land. It was different than her world and, hugging her wooden knight, wondered if she could survive this new land.