= GONE =

She ran as fast as her legs would take her through the woods. Going around the big trees standing in her way in such random manner, dodging branches hanging so slow that might hit her if she doesn't, jumping over roots which bulge out from the ground but still the tiny little branches, so razor sharp managed to carve their way on her exposed skin. Thin ribbons of blood seeped out of the cuts and pain radiated through it. But Cagalli was in no situation to do anything about it. She ran as though her life depended on it. No. The truth is her life did depend on it. She ran with the will to live.

Since she is the only member surviving in her family.

'GO! GO! GO!' Her father shouted at her as he urged her to move faster along the hallway. Her twin, Kira followed closely behind. He grabbed her hand, taking a few wider strides, and was instantly in front of his sister pulling her along. It's been drilled to his flesh and bones that as a brother, he must protect his baby sister and that's what he will do. Protect Cagalli.

Gunshots rang throughout the house. Gunpowders floated through the air. Even though not visible to the naked eyes, it was definitely there. Faint smell of blood drifted about in the air. Cagalli tried to drown the noises but it kept ringing so badly. She gripped Kira's hand tighter. Sensing her uncomfortableness, he quickened his pace.

'Just a bit more. Just a bit more, Cagalli.' Kira uttered. They just need to get to the garage, get in a car and get out of there. Their father guarded their back, gun in hand as they proceeded along.

Before they could reach the door to the garage, the door swung open and two armed men walked in, their gaze fixed on the three figure standing not so far from them. They lifted their guns.

'DAD!' Kira and Cagalli exclaimed at the same time. Ulen fired some shots towards those men buying them a few seconds to think what to do.

'Door. To your left. Now!' Three of them hurried into the room. Ulen locked the door and leaned over it. 'Damn those Blue Cosmos.' He checked his cartridge. Two shots left and only one more cartridge to spare. 'Shit!' He cursed. Raising his head, he looked at his kids. They were terrified.

The door on the handle rattled. Those bastards were trying to get in.

Ulen ran towards the table on the far end of the room, opened a drawer and fished out a gun. Handing that over to the eldest of the twin, he said, 'For both of your safety.' Kira understood the expression in his father's eyes. One filled with fear. Fear of losing his beloved. It was enough that he lost his wife, their mom, but he is not ready to lose them as well. He will never be and he will not lose them. Ever.

They banged on the door. They were trying to break it down.

Their dad pulled them into a hug. 'Be safe.' Squeezing them towards his chest, he whispered into their ears, 'I love you both so much.' The words were very simple but the emotions encircling it were so strong. The love of a parent to a child is the greatest they say. True. It is the ultimate love in this whole universe.

Releasing them from his embrace, he turned around letting his back face them. 'Go. I'll hold them here.' Kira, never once letting his grip off Cagalli's wrist, pulled her along towards the only window of the room.

'Wait, Dad! What-

'Jump.' Kira motioned towards the open window. To get out of this place, that's the only way out. Every second is crucial. One misstep will lead to them losing their lifes. Understanding that, Cagalli complied. Without a word, she jumped but with a very heavy heart did she perform this task. The bushes below the window cushioned her fall. The moment she hit the bushes, she rolled over and was immediately on her feet and looked up to see Kira following swiftly after her.

The door broke open and the sick sound of shots fired rang once again. Shouts and scream echoed loudly.

Tears rimmed their eyes as they knew what might have happened. What they did after that was they ran. With all and everything they've got. To safe the asses that their dad painstakingly secured. They ran without looking back till they entered the woods. The forest is a very dangerous place. Getting lost in it is not a difficult task at all. But it was the only choice they had. It's either a do or die scenario. The twins always played in the woods so maybe it will serve them as a means of escape since they knew the forest inside out.

Feeling that they have at least put a safe distance from the chasing predators, they came to a stop. Adrenaline pumping in their blood had gradually decreased and both could feel the fatigue catching up to them.

Neither talked.

Kira sat down leaning his back to a tree. Breathing in and out rapidly to compensate for the oxygen lost while in motion. Cagalli sat close to him, glad for the warmth provided with his company and sobbed. Everything came crashing down right then and there. Getting ambushed in their own house. Running away like some criminals. And the worst, leaving their dad behind. To face his death in the hands of merciless murderers.

'I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry I couldn't save dad. I am so sorry.' Kira shed tears of agony. He tried so hard to keep it in. To be the strong brother that he should be but it was hard. It was really hard.

'It's not your fault.' Cagalli hiccupped. She moved closer, burying her head to Kira chest. Brother and sister hugging each other in the dark forest, crying their heart out in the dead night. What have they done to deserve such fate.

Suddenly, leaves shuffled and footsteps resonated through the empty forest. The twins became alert. Understanding what they have to do, they got up and was in motion again.

The sound of footsteps got louder. Worried that whoever is after them might get to them first, Kira's mind work faster to think of something. To save them. Or at least one of them.

'Follow this path and go to Uncle Uzumi.' Kira stepped away from as he ran. With a wry smile on his face, he said, 'I will meet you there. I promise.' He deviated completely from the path they headed and ran in another direction making as much noise as he could to get their pursuer to follow him instead. Cagalli could not stop him nor could she call out his name. Believing that he would make it to Uncle Uzumi's as he promised, she ran without another word.

Until she heard it. One shot. Two shots. Kira's scream. Loud and clear. Echoing throughout the hollow wood. She came to a halting stop and turned back. She didn't know what to make out of his scream. What happened? What's that scream? It can't be? She gasped. No! No! NO! Cagalli screamed in her head. The worst case scenario was that he is...he is...he is... She did not dare to think of the word. It might not be the case at all. Maybe he got away. But in this situation, one would only think of one possibility.

Cagalli turned on her heels and took flight. Not stopping for anything, she ran, picking up speed as she went. The adrenaline pumped once again in her vessels. Her eyes burned and tears flowed down her cheeks.

Today, she lost two of her most important person in her entire life.

Note: Thank you for reading. I am not much of a good writer but I am learning to be so please comment what you feel about this story. Thank you.

This Chapter is a bit short but they next will up soon with a much longer story I believe. XD! Even I don't know. Please look forward to it.