Silver's Fortune

1. Silver. Ciaras Perspective

I'm staring intently at the meadow that used to a minefield. Watching the grass that used to be dirt. Recognizing the houses that used to be rubble. But I stop my brain from thinking about that. The past is the past. The war is over now. Everything's going to be ok. Whiskers jumps on my shoulder which almost scares me to death. Whiskers is the black and ginger scruffy cat that I found. One leg of hers is gone, 1 broken and the 2 back ones just fine. She purrs as she licks my face. ‘Stop that’ I giggle. Whiskers doesn't stop. But I'm fine with that. She keeps on licking my face but then she suddenly stops. ‘What is it?’ I say. She runs away as quickly as I spoke. I stay still and look down at my watch. Nothing's happening. Then I hear it. A few faint taps on the door. I take a breath of relief and answer the door. ‘Hello Ma'am’ A young girl’s voice says. 

‘Why hello there. Why don't you come inside?’ I invite. She steps inside cautiously. 

‘Hello my name is Silver’ The girl shares. 

‘I'm Ciara. Ciara Marden’ I tell her. But as soon as I say my name a fear shakes inside of me. The girl has blonde hair and blue eyes. Just like Mr. Regan. ‘You’re not Silver Regan by any chance?’  

‘No, no, no!’ The girl exclaims. ‘I have been mistaken to be his daughter many times’ She continues. 

‘Oh ok’ 

‘Wait do you not like King Regan by any chance’ 

‘Not at all! I love his work and what he does’ I exclaim. I can't let anyone know about my hatred for King Regan and his devastating acts. He was the reason we had the war. Did he ever try to end the war? He is the reason so many people are living in poverty. I was lucky enough to find a job but other people were not as fortunate as me. 

Whiskers comes out and inspects Silver. Silver giggles. I would too but all of these terrible thoughts are stuck in my head. 

‘Is this your cat?’ Silver asks. 

‘Yes. I found him terribly hurt and had to take him to the vets.’ I explain. But something makes Silver run outside of the house and hide in the bushes. I dare not go outside to check what she's doing. Instead I stay in the house and try to find a place to hide. 

Too late. I hear a scream in the forest ahead. I hear dogs barking. I hear total mayhem as fears rush through my head. Memories of my parents. I cut them out of my mind by looking away. There's a knock on the door. I don't answer, I don't even move. Then the door creaks open and a girls voice comes in. It's Silvers voice. Come in I whisper. The barking and screaming has stopped. Suppose it was all just a dream? As soon as the relief comes, it goes. The whole village is going in mayhem. I try to think but it's no use. I get into my bed and try to sleep through the screams. But I'm closely followed by Silver.  

‘Well I've been meaning to ask you this since I tapped on the door’ She says trying to sound very important. 

‘What is it?’ I tell her 

‘My parents died in the last war, so would you be willing to look after me?’  

A sudden shock hits my brain as if an arrow went through it. How was I meant to look after her? How was I meant to reject her?  

‘I suppose so’ I stutter ‘But you need something to protect yourself’ I reach over the side of the bed and grab my shiny iron sword by the handle. 

‘What's that?’ Silver asks. Clearly she doesn’t know anything about the combat industry. I sigh. 

‘It's an iron edged sword’ I explain. ‘The power of the blade is strong and it must be handled under intense supervision’