CHAPTER 10

The stairwell shook as solid bricks began to fall. Priscilla, cuddling Dot into her chest wrapped in a blanket, rushed her siblings down the stairwell however Yakko was reluctantly running a few steps behind her, Wakko nuzzled into his shoulder. He had just left his mother behind, within the flames of the floor above. A lone tear ran down his cheek; he knew he would never see her again. Guilt and regret flooded over him. He stopped dead in his tracks causing his sister to almost stumble, and whilst holding Dot that wasn't ideal.

'Yakko what are you doing!?' She exclaimed as she caught her balance from the recoil. 'We don't have time for this! We have to move! Have you not noticed the falling bricks!?'

'I want to go back!' Yakko proclaimed showing his sister his tear stained face. 'We can't leave mother! I can't leave mother! I need her!' Yakko was now bordering on sobbing. Priscilla knelt in front of Yakko on the step he refused to move to.

'Mother is going to help father! We will hopefully meet both of them at the river safe and sound when this is all over but until then we have to move!' Priscilla was now shouting over the sound of crashing bricks and screams coming from outside. What terrible noises. What could be happening outside to cause them? It all happened so fast. She was sound asleep and the next thing she knew her mother was shaking her awake and dragging her from beneath the duvet into a fiery hall way. No reason why, no questions answered. In her half asleep state, she followed her mother through the burning hallway surrounded by the burning flames of orange and falling ashes. It had hard to tell whether it was reality or a nightmare; Priscilla had hoped for the later.

But alas, now she was leading her three younger siblings through their home, as it burned to the ground. She had now said goodbye to her mother for good. She had said what she did to Yakko to avoid him rushing back to their mother. She knew her brother well, and she wouldn't put it past him to risk his own life for their mother. Not that she wouldn't do it herself, but now she had responsibilities; to keep her siblings safe, and as much as she desperately wanting to rush back she knew it would be a death wish for all three of them.

'Why is this happening…?' Yakko panted. Priscilla obviously did not hear him; she continued to swerve down the spiral staircase, nearly tripping over her own feet as she went. However, Yakko was not entirely convinced, for some reason he had a suspicion that his sister had heard him. She shared quick glances with him over her shoulder, to ensure that he was still there. Yakko stopped in his tracks despite the falling timber and building flames.

'PRISCILLA!' He screamed. It was the only way he could be heard. She stopped and turned to face him, dread on her face. '…you know something.'

'What!? Yakko this is NOT the time!'

'Yes it is! You know what's going on, I know you do and you are going to tell me NOW!'

'Yakko, we need to get you, in particular, out of here! This conversation can happen later!'

'WHAT IS HAPPENING!? TELL ME! NOW!...and what do you mean that you have to get me 'in particular' out of here!?'

Priscilla was still in shock and began contemplating telling him all she knew when there was a loud thud echoing from the bottom of the stairs. This was then followed by two deep, strained voices which grew louder and louder. Both Yakko and Priscilla shared a concerned looked and began to hurry down the stairs towards the chaos. The voices became louder and louder and the panic became greater and greater.

Because now it had become apparent that one of the voices at the bottom of the stairs belonged to their father.

Yakko had to stop. He was on the verge of tears. He stared at the family portrait remembering the tragic events of the next part of his story. But he needed a couple of minutes to compose his thoughts. He wanted to tell his siblings everything about that night but he did not want them to become as upset as he was.

Wakko and Dot sat on either side of Yakko, shocked at the story so far. The fire, their mother, the mystery voices and thuds at the bottom of the stairs. Who was there? What was happening? They found it hard to be believe it was reality. But they could see the hurt in their brother's eyes.

'You don't need to tell us anymore if you don't want to.' Dot said calmly, rubbing her brothers arm. Yakko snapped out of his trance and wiped the small tears from his cheeks. Wakko nodded in agreement.

'No, no I'm sorry…' Yakko sniffed. 'It's just hard…to relive it that's all.'

'Can I ask something though?' Dot requested. 'Did Priscilla…look like me?' Yakko looked confused at the random question from his sister.

'I'm just trying to put a face to the name…' Dot defended her question. Yakko smirked at his sister's curiousity. 'What!? I've just found out I have an older sister! It's been my lifelong dream after being stuck with two boys my whole life!' The boys chuckled, it was a nice break from the heartbreaking atmosphere. However, it was not to last. Soon all three siblings were looking at the small family portrait again. They all looked so happy. One big happy family. Except for one crucial detail…

'Why is Priscilla not in the family portrait?' Wakko questioned. Yakko had forgotten about that crucial detail.

'Oh…well you see sibs, there was a bit of a debate between Priscilla and our parents. To do with…the next heir to the throne…' Wakko and Dot looked at each other inquisitively.

'You see, Priscilla, being the oldest sibling, was next in line for the throne so mother and father had begun to give her 'training' like with etiquette and the history of the kingdom and so on and so forth. Anyway, Priscilla wasn't having it. She was a very 'stubborn' teenager and had decided she did not want to be queen, for whatever reason. However, father did not take it very well – it was tradition that the first born child took over the kingdom. Mother was more understanding. Anyway, Priscilla and father got into an argument and it ended in Priscilla locking herself in her room and missing the portrait. Mother tried to convince her out but she was in a strop for days.'

Dot smiled, proud of the sister that she never met. 'She seems so headstrong. I really want to be like her when I grow up.'

'So she wanted to be part of the Royal guard instead?" Wakko asked.

'Yes. And after a few days, she and father spoke and he agreed to train her to see her potential. And turns out she was a natural. And he gave her his blessing to train with the royal guard.' Yakko explained.

'And the role of heir to the throne was passed down to you? The '2nd best.' Dot laughed as quietly as she could. Wakko tried not to join in but he was finding it very difficult and let out a burst. The three laughed together for a few minutes, leaning against the large golden framed painting. The laughter died down and the frowns returned.

'What happened to Priscilla?' Dot asked hesitantly, knowing it was a touchy subject. Yakko sighed. 'Because she obviously was on her way out with us that night but she isn't here…so…'

'Priscilla…and I never fully got on as brother and sister. We were always bickering and we never agreed on anything. But…I will never ever forget what she did for us that night.' Wakko and Dot became even more curious on that final comment for Yakko.

'Yakko…do you want to tell the rest of the story?' Wakko asked.

Yakko hesitated for a second before gathering his thoughts.

'…sure…'