Yep, after (hopefully) leaving you in a slight "cliffhanger", I have the most crucial chapter. At least, I think it's the most important. Not sure yet. I'll get back to you. ;-)

Thanks again, everyone, for those reviews!

I studied the dusty cover. I was pretty sure it used to be a maroon-like color, but now, after so many years of apparent misuse, it was an unsightly brown. The pages were brittle and slightly torn in some places, but mostly readable. I flipped the cover open. Dust blew up in my face and I coughed. Next time, I would be sure to check the dust-level on books before I opened them.

I waved my hand in front of my face, where dust was still flying. I squinted and continued reading.

History of Lexiconian Wars

Ariaz Rean II

Lexicon is a relatively peaceful and popular planet in the Voc Galaxy. It has known few wars, but the ones it has encountered have been extremely damaging and fatal.

The planet Lexicon is known for its ways of making peace. It is unknown how they do it, or if Lexiconians use a confidential technique, but almost every attempt they make ends successfully. Multiple planets have tried to make war, but Lexicon has used their abilities to neutralize the enemies will to attack. The attackers simply call off any signs of violence.

Unfortunately, there is one planet they have not succeeded in making peace with. Neighboring planet, Encartia has repeatedly turned down attempts of friendliness; most likely due to the fact that war matters is a certain "condition" that has been passed on down the lines of Encartians ever since the planet was born.

There have been two attacks by the Encartians so far, but how many more there will be is unknown.

I wished I were in the time when there were only two attacks by the enemy. There had been dozens just this past month.

I had no idea that Lexicon had been in combat with Encartia for this long. This book must've been written and published decades ago. I was about to keep reading when I heard a commotion across the hall.

I poked my head out of my doorway to find out what was wrong. I heard Safira's little feet running towards the other end of the living room, probably to the kitchen, and my mother gasping. I used my super-speed to head straight to the kitchen.

When I got there, Mother turned towards me quickly. "Get in the—"

She was interrupted by the sound of someone banging on the front door. Father came out of his study. He and Mother exchanged worried glances. "Zaria," Mother said, trying to sound calm. "Get inside the hallway closet."

"What? Why?" I asked, starting to get a little frantic myself. The pounding continued.

"Just go!" Father put his arm around my shoulders and led to the hall. "They're here."

I tried to calm my heart. It was almost pitch black in our storage closet, except for the tiny crack in the slightly ajar door. A sliver of light shone right between my eyes as I peeked out of the crack. The closet was at the end of the hall, so I had a straight line of vision to the door. Father walked in front of it and turned the handle just as a huge crack appeared in the middle of the metal door. Father stumbled backwards as the door flew off the hinges and onto the floor about twenty feet away from its original spot.

Three silhouettes stood in the empty doorway.

The first soldier seemed to scan the room. She was definitely born Encartian. My sister stifled a shriek as the warrior looked directly at her, but then her eyes moved elsewhere. From the tiny crack in the closet door, I watched the whole scene unroll. My heart was thumping so loudly I was sure the Encartians could hear it.

The second soldier stepped forward, and in a somewhat monotone voice said, "We have orders from the General of Encartia to take the eldest daughter to Her Majesty."

If a glare could burn a hole through someone, those Encartians would've looked like Swiss cheese by then, courtesy of me. Why don't they just say, "Miss Power told us to kidnap your daughter." Seriously.

Then the "leader's" eyes suddenly looked directly at my hiding spot, and my heart froze.

Father caught her gaze, and what looked like a mix of determination and fear appeared in his eyes. He moved closer to the small opening of the door in defense. "No. You're not going to take her." His voice was steely calm, a sign that meant he would not let go.

"Oh, but I think we will." The leader matched his tone, a malicious smile creeping on to her face.

She looked at her companions and nodded. Following orders, two out of the three other Encartians wordlessly flew with super-speed toward my mother and Safira, grabbing their arms roughly and dragging them back towards the wall. Mother cried out and tried to pull away, but only succeeded in making the soldiers tighten their death-grip. Safira had tears running down her face as she screamed, also struggling.

The leader and the remaining Encartian flew at my father, trying to get him out of the way so they could reach me. I shrunk back against the wall, breathing hard, unwilling to watch more. But I forced myself toward the crack. My father was trying to get out of the grasps of the two warriors. But seeing as how the Encartians were enhanced with the abilities of Miss Power, Father was pinned to the ground by one in a matter of minutes. The leader glared down at him. Then she turned purposefully towards the closet.

"She's not here," my father lied, straining to push away the Encartian on his back. The leader shook her head, chuckling humorlessly.

"There is no use resisting," she said, still facing my hiding place. "We know she's here."

With those simple words, she flung open the door.

That's it! Ha ha! Left ya at a cliffhanger! Well, I already have the next chapter written out, so I'll post it as soon as I go over it for mistakes.