Thwonk
The sound of an arrow hitting the bark of the tree I was resting by, dangerously close to the right of my head did not fail to increase the ever-growing fear inside of me. Taking another deep ragged breath I lifted myself up and started back my sprint away from the oncoming group of villagers struggling through the forest with their pitchforks and axes searching for me. I could roughly say that almost all the men from the village joined this manhunt to catch me. How did they find out? Was I that careless? Was it when I was playing with the village children when they noticed something off about me? I actually barely played with the village children throughout my life and actually only played with them once. However, that one time going out to play has gotten me to be grounded from going out of my room for a week.
How did they find me? My question was answered with an arrow that succeeded to pierce through my left shoulder making me cry in pain. While slightly jogging, I mustered as much willpower as I could and pulled the arrow painfully out from the front of my chest and immediately placed my right palm near the wound and focused on my powers to heal the open wound as quickly as possible. Soon enough, green light started to emit from my palm towards the bloodied area. Always handy. Almost Immediately, I could see the hole on my chest, red with caked meat, slowly converged on itself and started to undo itself with a slight noticeable golden and black light. After the pain started to dissipate, only then I remembered that I was still holding the arrow that penetrated me and took a quick look at it, after a while I noticed an all too familiar insignia. Of course, they called the royal guards. Why wouldn't they.
"Quick! He's getting away!"
"Get that monster!"
Hearing their voices, I picked up the pace, running as fast my small frame could take me. With my inborn 'condition' I have always had inhumane abilities so in reality, my small and frail looking body is actually faster and stronger than the average child of my age. After a few minutes, I could now barely see the lights of the burning sticks of the villagers nor hear the heavy metallic footsteps of the guards. But with tears dripping down my cheeks, I kept on going. Away from all that I've known. running away from my ruined life, running away from the lifeless bodies of my family that once I hold dear. Running away from who I once was. There's no stopping now, there's nothing left for me. Running away from everything.
While running there were some more arrows shot in my direction and all of them missed. They are no longer aiming properly, that means there's a good distance between us now. Then, I saw a big cave entrance on my right which popped an idea into my brain. I took my knife and quickly made a path towards the cave entrance in the sloppiest way possible until I reached the entrance. Then, I took off my jacket and threw it near the entrance so that they would think that I entered the cave. After that I went back on the trail I was on and dashed away from the cave and the villagers as fast as possible to prevent them from noticing where I actually went.
And thank the skies above, It worked. I could hear them screaming about the cave and soon the voices faded out faster and faster as I kept on running. After confirming that the villagers were no longer on my tail, I stopped and leaned on to the nearest tree and sat down. As soon as adrenaline started to leave my body, exhaustion came. Opening up my sling bag that I barely had enough time to pack, I took out my water bottle, fumbled with the cap and tried to drink water only to find that there were only a few drops of water in it. "For Christ sakes, of course I didn't actually fill it up." Now I need to find a damn river or lake to ease the burning sensation of dehydration from my throat.
Having gained some of my bearings and caught my breath I started to go around searching for the sound of water. Due to the fact that I am unfamiliar with my surroundings and that it's dark right now, I can only rely on my ears to find a river. Since it's the dark and I'm now alone…. maybe I could use my powers? No… no no no, I shouldn't use it just yet. I just escaped from the villagers, what if they have a tool to track magic? I must lay low for now. Thus, I began the search and to my relief, I was apparently close to a small stream as I could hear the faint sounds of water flowing. I dashed to the stream quickly and literally drowned my face into the stream due to the thirst and exhaustion. I had to pull myself out as I started to suffocate instead.
After drinking my fill, I quickly filled up my bottle to the brim and started to head out in hopes of getting to the nearest town. I have decided to not stay in one place for too long as it is obvious that it isn't wise to do so. Not a good idea to connect with people. As words of a monster on the loose will definitely spread like wildfire at this point. So living on the move should do me good for a few months, maybe years until the stories of me die down a little bit and after I somehow manage to learn to control my powers. And maybe check back at the village to see if they are still alive. Suddenly my mouth felt dry again. If they are still alive. Immediately the reality of my situation sunk in deeper than ever before.
They're gone. They burnt the house with everyone in it. It's impossible for them to escape. They were tied to the poles in the living room. There's no denying that.
By now I can really feel the lump in my throat and my eyes ready to burst. My cheeks were red as I tried my hardest not to break down right now. Just a few hours earlier it as a normal afternoon as any other day. Dad and big brother wasn't working today so we all get to sit on the same table and eat together the lunch that mom made. we were just sitting around the dining table eating mom's special sandwiches when someone knocked on the door. If only, Dad did not open that door. If only, those people never knocked on the door. If only I never existed in the first place.
They would still be alive now.
" Come on Elsa! It's sunny outside! Let's go out and play!" whined a strawberry blond girl as she threw herself into the cushions of the couch near the fireplace of the Queen's Study. She has been trying to get her sister to stop working all day and she seems to be failing miserably that she's starting to internally doubt that this workaholic was even her sister and not a robot. "You promised that we will go outside and eat at the cafe today! Not order from the cafe and eat in your study" she added on, stuffing a chocolate truffle into her mouth. They discovered that the person that made the truffles for the coronation was a baker that owned a cafe. They became regulars there since that place exclusively sells a lot of chocolate. Literally everything in the menu has chocolate in it.
"Anna, we both know that I have neglected my duties for long now and I have to finish signing these papers so that the kingdom can prepare for the upcoming winter" Elsa replied sternly at her sister even though deep down she felt like capturing her sister into a bone crushing hug because the sight of a pouting anna is almost unbearable for the young queen to resist. "Well, before this Kai has been doing all the work so, maybe he can do it just for today so then we can go out and play?" Anna enquired with a suggestive grin. "no Anna, it's time I take responsibility of all the damages I've done, I threw the whole kingdom into a gigantic snow globe that killed all the crops that was supposed to be harvested for the next real winter." Elsa shot back.
Ever since the thaw 2 months ago, Elsa has been working non-stop, trying to expand and improve relations with other states and kingdoms as she has officially broken ties with Weselton and The Southern Isles. It was understandable and the respective nation's respected her wishes and even sent some gifts as apologies for the damage caused. Most of the gifts were mostly food rations knowingly that that's what's most needed for Arendelle in this immediate situation however it was obvious that is not nearly enough as their main reserves are close to zero. Currently sitting on her desk is a request for a trade agreement with the Western Isles the arch enemies of The Southern Isles. Previously, they did not want to have anything to do with Arendelle due to their trade relations with the Southern Isles. Now that that is gone, there's a slight chance that they would consider on coming to an agreement this time. Hopefully.
Before Anna could say anything else, a knock was heard at the door which caught both the royal sibling's attention. "Come in" said the Queen only to be greeted by her trusty advisor, Kai. "Your Majesty, it seems that the royal family of Corona has arrived earlier than expected. Should I go to the docks to welcome them?" ignoring the high pitched squeals of excitement coming from her bubbly sister, Elsa replied "Yes please, and thank you Kai, you're a big help". "Anytime Your Majesty." Kai said with a fatherly smile and then disappeared into the halls walking towards the docks.
"OhmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodtheyareheretheyarehereIcan'tbelieveittheyarehere!" Anna shrieked, unable to contain her excitement any longer. "Slow down Anna! I could barely hear a single word that you've said!" Elsa exclaimed amusingly and then giggled at the sight of her sister shining so bright and to put in comparison, she's shining brighter than the sun. "They are finally here! We have waited for a month and we are finally meeting our cousins!" she exclaimed. Elsa couldn't deny that. After the death of their parents, to suddenly have found out that there are other relatives out there and finally meeting them for the very first time would be one of the most exhilarating things that she would experience, second to that moment that she built her Ice castle. Through this meeting she hopes that she would be able to fill up the void that has been in existence in her heart ever since the death of their parents.
Soon after she started to internally panic. What If, they find it scary that she has power? What if they are actually here trying to assassinate her for being a monster? She has been expecting such possibilities for that as she always wondered why they have never even introduced themselves before. The only time that, she has ever heard that they were in Arendelle was for the coronation. If they were here, then why didn't the introduced themselves? Was it because I revealed my powers that they got scared? What if they suddenly reached out to meet was actually a façade to bring a whole army to conquer Arendelle and behead me? What if-
"Elsa, you're making that face again. Are you alright?" interrupted in her deep train of thought, she snapped her head in the direction of the voice to only find a worried looking Anna. "are you worried that they aren't coming here friendly?" she added. Elsa flinched slightly upon hearing this. "Oh Elsa… Is that also the reason why you increased the kingdom's border security and even told the Head of the royal guards to prepare the Arendellian army?" Anna grasped Elsa's shoulders tightly. "I-I…" before Elsa could continue Anna cut her off again. "You don't have to worry about anything Elsa, Remember the first Letter they sent? They were actually eager and fine about your powers and even say that they have their own magical daughter. Plus, Kai said that he has been keeping in touch with the King of Corona ever since father and mother passed away."
Elsa sat silently in her chair at this point. Anna's hands still on her shoulders. After a few suffocating moments of silence, she spoke up. "a-alright then, I hope you're right… but we must be carefull atleast… I don't want another Hans incident happening ever again." Elsa began and this caused Anna to flinch as well. "Okay fine, but just remember that this is the moment we both have been hoping for, we have family coming for us! And we aren't the only ones left in our family! We should take this opportunity no matter what the stakes are." Elsa smiled at this. No matter what, she's always positive about everything. Elsa lifted her hands and held on Anna's arms and gave them a small squeeze, signaling her approval.
Letting go of Elsa's shoulders, smiling slightly, she went back to stuffing her face with the remaining truffles like a hungry child. Elsa laughed slightly at this. After a few more silent minutes, Elsa spoke up again "Hey anna, why don't we go and greet and welcome them ourselves, after all, we were the ones that invited them over". Anna, who was busy stuffing her face with the chocolate, turned her head inhumanly and grinned from ear to ear. Placing the half-eaten chocolate bar back on the tray, she took a quick sip of her hot chocolate and stood from the couch, dusting off invisible dusts from her dress then looked back up at her older sister checking if she's being serious.
.
.
"That's the spirit! Let's Go!"