Prologue
It's finally spring again, I can feel the life being breathed back into the Earth. The trees are gaining back their luscious color, tiny creatures are learning to speak to the world around them, and the sun's rays are gentle and warming. I've always loved spring.
"Beatrice," my mother's voice and tender hand on my arm stop me, "promise me you won't do anything foolish this time? I don't think your father could withstand a repeat of the Winter Ball."
"He had it coming," I huff out, no matter what they tell me I will not apologize for slapping Peter.
She smiles, "I have no doubt," she whispers, "however for your father's sake please don't do it again?"
I know she believes me; she's never liked Peter either. Nodding, I agree and she gives my arm a squeeze before walking to join my father near the entrance to the gardens. I watch them as my father leans down to give her a sweet kiss; he's never been afraid of showing his affection for my mother, even publically.
"You ready to get this over with," Caleb asks quietly from behind me. I can't help but smirk; at least I have someone to share my suffering with. With our father being a senator, and close friends with our President, Marcus Eaton, we attend a lot of formal events, charity fundraisers, galas, anything that passes as an excuse for the women to spend thousands of dollars on a dress, and for the men to drink socially.
"I really don't understand why we have to go with them every time," he complains.
"Let me guess there's a new book out about quantum physics and you're just dying to read it," I tease him. He's brilliant, really, but he isn't much one for socializing.
Scowling, "At least I do well in school," he quips.
I wave him off, "I do fine," I may not be Ivy League bound like him, but I have never received a mark below a B.
Deciding to drop the conversation he offers me his arm and we make our way into the gardens.
It's a large party, with an oversized white tent in the middle and formal tables systemically fanned out around the makeshift stage. A navy blue banner stretched wide with 'Pittsburg Safe Harbor Foundation: Raising Money for those in Need' stamped out in white letters.
Well at least that answers the question of what the event is for.
A few hours later everyone is finishing their meals, chatting amongst their tables about whatever new gossip they might have. Mom and dad are talking in hushed whispers, my mother looking more and more flustered by the second. I'm about to ask what might be wrong, but before I can speak a man at the podium taps on the mic.
"Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen," he smiles too broadly, "thank-you for taking the time to be here with us on this very special day. As you all know, we have been striving to raise funds to begin new projects across the city, opening up more homes and soup kitchens to accommodate for our growing homeless population, which is no easy feat. However here today to talk more about our projects we have our very own Senator, Mr. Andrew Prior." As the crowd clapped politely, my parents stood and made their way towards the stage, though not before my mother leaned in between Caleb and I, "If anything happens here, you both need to run, find somewhere safe to stay until you know it is safe," she whispered. Then straightening up she took my father's hand and they continued towards the stage, as though she had not just whispered the most cryptic message to her children.
Looking to my right I saw Caleb was as concerned as I was, "What was that," he choked out as quietly as he could manage, his voice tinged with panic.
"I don't know," I answered, trailing off as my father began to welcome everyone to the fundraiser.
I phased out, not hearing my father's speech about the homeless population, or how the projects were supposed to bring hope to those people across the city. Yet the only thing I could pay attention to was my father's white knuckles as he gripped the podium as though it were his lifeline, and my mother's emotionless face as she quietly stood behind him.
Another round of applause sounded as another man made his way up towards the stage, most likely to elaborate upon more of their plans. However as soon as the man neared the stage shouting broke out near the gate, followed by a deafening bang.
Chaos erupted.
The ladies screamed, latching onto their husbands' arms, while their husbands rushed to stand and run. Children broke out into screams of their own, mingling with their sobs.
I felt a hand latch onto my own arm and turned to find Caleb's face a mix of fear and confusion.
"We need to find mo-,"
Bang.
Caleb and I both flinched, this time the sound was closer.
"We need to find mom and dad," I yelled, hoping he could hear me over the chaos. But my words fell on deaf ears, and turning towards the stage I saw why, my mother was sprawled out across the stage floor, a crimson circle staining her soft yellow sundress.
"Mom," I choked out, before pushing Caleb out of the way, running for the stage, running for my mother.
Scrambling across the cold metal floor, I reached her, her eyes were wide and glossy, her lips the same shade of red as that of the stain on her dress.
"Mom," I choked out again, brushing my hand across her clammy forehead. Her eyes found mine, though now all I could see in them was fear. Fear for me.
Bang.
It sounded again, though this time I didn't look up, I couldn't, I could only look at her.
"Please, mom, please, don't go," I leaned over, trying to compress her stomach, trying to stop that damned red stain from spreading.
"Tris," I felt his hand on my shoulder and looked up, he already had tears in his eyes. Looking back at her face I found her eyes closed, as her chest stilled after its last breath.
Someone fell to their knees beside her, and as I recognized my father's wedding band as he stretched a trembling hand towards her body, the sound rang out again.
Bang.
Time froze.
Looking up into my father's face I saw shock, and as he slowly fell forward I saw in his eyes the same fear that had haunted my mother's no more than a minute ago.
"Dad," Caleb yelled from behind me, as he rushed to our father's side, turning him onto his back, revealing the crimson stain that I already knew would be there.
This can't be happening.
This isn't happening.
That was all I could think.
As I looked up, desperately hoping for some sign, something, anything that tell me this was just a terrible nightmare, instead I met the hazel eyes behind the gun.
He stared back at me, all but his eyes, hidden behind a mask.
Then he turned and ran through the crowd, I noticed he wasn't alone, three others followed him out of the chaos, disappearing without a trace.
Turning back towards my family I saw Caleb slumped over our father's unmoving chest, his shoulders fiercely shaking. Staring down at my mother I let my pain, my fear, my loss, wash over me, as the first tear slipped down my cheek.
And so it begins, please review, any and all feedback is appreciated.
