Run. Run. Run. Run RUN!

Hancock awoke with a piercing scream. Her attendant burst through the door in alarm.

"What is it my lady?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide. Hancock breathed deeply, calming herself.

"Nothing, return to your post," she huffed, retaining her haughty air.

"Are you sure-"

"What did I just say?!" Hancock hissed.

"Yes, my lady," the girl replied demurely, closing the door. Hancock was enveloped by darkness. She lay back into her pillow, and shut her eyes tight.

RUN. RUN. RUN. RUN!

Hancock opened her eyes again. She could not sleep. It was impossible for her. It'd been two years since her and her sisters' escape from Marie Joie. But the nightmares had yet to pass. Visions plagued her mind of the torture they had gone through. The beatings, the blood, the marks. The brand on her back that marked her as less than human. She would never be free of the Dragon's Hoof. She clapped a hand over her mouth to trap an escaping sob. She could never run. She could never get away.

"Sister?" Hancock heard a call at her door.

"What do you want, Marigold?" she asked her youngest sibling. Marigold entered the room tentatively, her eyebrows drawn together in worry.

"Can I… Can I stay with you again?" asked Marigold, tugging on a strand of her hair. Hancock's hard glare softened. She patted the spot next to her, inviting her sister to lie beside her.

"It's so scary, sister," Marigold whispered, making her way towards the bed. She lay down and curled up beside Hancock. Hancock could see her muscles tightening and clenching together.

"Calm yourself," she said soothingly, placing a hand on her sister's back. Marigold shifted uncomfortably. Hancock removed her hand immediately. Marigold had been the first to be branded. She was especially… Sensitive about it.

"Is it going to be like this for the rest of our lives?" Marigold asked, her voice tight and strained.

"I don't know," Hanock sighed, running her hands through Marigold's hair.

"Hancock?" Sandersonia opened the door.

"You too?" Hancock asked.

Sandersonia nodded, grimacing. Hanock frowned, and moved over, allowing Sandersonia to lie down on the right side of the bed.

"Well isn't this nostalgic?" Marigold laughed feebly.

Hancock and Sandersonia glared at her. They had been forced to share a bed when they were slaves. They barely fit, and would wake up with their limbs aching.

"Sorry," Marigold muttered. "How do you do it, Hancock?" she asked.

"Do what?" Hancock said, raising her eybrow.

"Deal with it all."

Hancock scoffed.

"I don't," she seethed, clawing at the blankets. "I can't forget. Everything that haunts you haunts me too."

"But you're so strong," Sandersonia murmured.

"I am the weakest of all of you," Hanock confessed, "I have both the burden of my time at Marie Joie, and the burden of having to appear strong and proud to my subjects as their Empress. It is possible, but taxing. I cannot do it for much longer." She sighed.

"Are you saying you would-"

"Resign?" Hancock cut Marigold off. "Possibly, if I could find a suitable heir to the empire."

"Do you need help?" Sandersonia asked in earnest. Hancock contemplated saying 'no'. She was strong enough, her mind was clear enough. She could claim those things and punish anyone who didn't believe her.

"I-I do," she admits instead, clenching her fists. "I need help.

"Shall we help you bear the responsibility?" Marigold smiled.

"Yes…" Hancock whispered, "Yes, that would be… Good."

A.N.: Hancock's a total softie for her sisters~ Posted late, trying to catch up. FanFiction had a server error, and it was fixed just yesterday. Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, Reader Birthdays, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! Hopefully, I'll be able to deliver Sandersonia's one-shot in a few hours. I'll see you then!