Crown

Cassian

I bounced onto my feet, pulling Haela up with me. "What was that?" She asked. "Probably just fireworks-" My reassurance was interrupted by another bang, this time much louder. I could feel the entire palace shake underneath me. Haela grabbed my arm tighter. "I don't think those were fireworks!" Her voice gradually changed into a scream. Suddenly, the noises changed frequency, and the entire sky lit up. Haela began crying again, but I knew I didn't have time to comfort her. "C'mon! We have to get out of here." She didn't object as I pulled her along through the halls. By now, everyone was awake, and rushing to see what was going on. I peeked into my sister's room, and saw that she was gone. Hopefully she made it out safely with my parents.

We finally made it outside, where I saw what I feared. Hundreds of Warfaianian ships were gathered along the coast, and thousands of soldiers poured out of them. The only color in the sky was from their helicopters, ready to drop bombs on our country. My country. I caught a glimpse of Evelyn's dark hair. "Look, your parents!" Haela gasped, pointing to a spot just left of where Evelyn stood. My mother saw me, and waved us over. "Mom, Dad... what's happening? What are we going to do?"

"Calm down, son," My father said. Then, he addressed the crowd. "People of Dradraley!" Everyone went silent and turned to him. "Do not be afraid, our army has trained well for this. All must take refuge in a covered place until this is ended. Thank you for your cooperation." As soon as he finished talking, people hurried into their houses.

I was about to ask Evelyn if she had heard the bangs, but before I could get a word out, all hell broke loose. Bombs dropped from the sky, narrowly missing where I stood. Shrieks echoed through the streets as our army rushed forward to protect us. I watched as the first Warfaianian soldiers came into view. They were just as horrible as the stories said. Big, nasty men yielding weapons twice their size.

They charged, clashing weapons with our army. Several screams echoed through the air, but only one meant anything to me. Run. I grabbed Haela's hand once more, guiding her and Evelyn into the woods. We ran away from the scene for what seemed like forever, never looking back, never stopping. The whole time I could hear the girls crying, and for the first time in a while, I let a small tear run down my face. I imagined our entire country burnt to the ground, ruined. I thought of my parents, being protected by guards. Even so, I feared for them.

Finally we stopped running, collapsing to the ground to catch our breath. Haela sobbed, banging her fists on the ground. Evelyn leaned her head against the tree, shaking and letting out small screams. Even she couldn't keep her composure. I held my head in my hands, the last day flashing through my head. What happened? What was going to happen? All I knew then was that I would never know the same life again.