Part 5 Loss Of Innocence
//It's hard for me to remember a time when I wasn't fighting. I know that most people wouldn't believe that he lightning count could have done anything but fight. The most peace filled days were ones I spent in the Sanc Kingdom, but even then I was fighting. Fighting to break free of those thin lines of peace that helped keep the kingdom and my family together. If they didn't have peace, they had nothing.//
~~ The noise. The horrific noise is finally dwindling. I fear that if I lift my head up it would cause the siege to begin anew. I don't know how much time has passed; could be minutes, could be hours. All I know is that I can stay in this spot no longer. My body aches from the torment it received today. I fear if I stay in this position much longer I will be forever molded that way.
After carefully raising my head to peer above the bushes, I
survey the area looking for signs of the giant machines. Not seeing anything hovering around in the
sky, I run. Away from the palace, far
from my family, forgetting my best friend. I take the path through the forest, past the place where Mayle and I had
sat. I proceed deep into the heart of the grove where only miniscule streams of
light permeate the dense canopy. Soon
the trees become unfamiliar, as I had not yet previously traveled this far from
the palace before.
My body aches all over as I continue away from the carnage,
but I keep moving. My mind is flooded
with thoughts for everyone who was still trapped within the battle, everyone
who I've ever cared about could be dead at this moment and I wouldn't
know. I wish that this disaster had
never happened. What I wouldn't give to
be able to see my mother's smile, to hear my sister's laugh, even to receive
the cold shoulder from my father.
My thoughts run aimlessly as I journey forward climbing
over rotten trees and ducking under branches. I try to ignore the abrasions and the aching of my overworked muscles,
but they keep reminding me that everything has changed. There is no turning back now.
My mind kept me in such a trance that it took me a few
minutes to even notice that I had reached the edge of the estate and was now
walking down the road towards the Tinley mansion. I had always liked the Tinleys. They rarely visited the palace, but when they did they would bring me a
trinket that their son had brought home from his travels. They told me that he would go from place to
place learning the culture and languages, finally attempting to instill
pacifism on them. With a burst of
renewed energy I run the remaining distance. At the front gate I squeeze my body between the bars of the protective
barrier. Although during these times
that fortification would serve no protection.
I make my way up the front walkway and porch stairs as the
tears fill my eyes. Pounding my fists
on the front door, I scream for someone to help me. After what felt like an eternity the door opens slightly. I push my way inside and grab a hold of
whomever it was standing there. I don't
care who is, all I need to know is that I am not alone.
Strong arms lift me up and soon I feel that I am being
taken down a staircase. I bury my head
further into the man's shoulder, tears soaking into his shirt.
"Look who showed up on our doorstep, Mildred."
"Oh thank goodness he got out safe. The poor dear," Mrs. Tinley pulls me out of
her husband's arms and sets me on a blanket thrown on the basement floor. She flips my hair from my face and examines
my cuts, making faces at each one. "We
need to get you cleaned up before all that dirt makes things worse."
My voice fails me, my sobs are the only sounds. Mrs. Tinley takes me into her arms, rocking
me gently and cooing in my ear. I'm not
alone. I can't help but wish that the
person who was now holding me close was Mayle instead of a woman I barely even
know. 'Oh Mayle, please come back to
me'. ~~~
Even now those memories still plague my dreams. Every night it's the same, the horrible feelings of loneliness. I never want to feel that lost and alone again.