Behind the Mask

Loss

TW// Blood,murder, violence

Elias ran faster than he had ever in his life. He was clutching the silver dagger, fastened at his waist, close to him, hoping that he wouldn't trip over his feet. His mind was racing.

Pirates were attacking Parahill. Pirates were attacking his home.

He didn't even hear them - the attack, the setting of the fire. How could he sleep through it? How could he not hear his mother calling for him?

Ma and pa...

His mother and father were in the town. He needed to hurry. Elias clutched the dagger even closer, running faster, his lungs stinging. He felt tears in his eyes as he got closer to the burning town, the heat of the fire increasing.

The first houses were almost completely burnt down, the fire spreading further up the street. Elias could hear the screams of the people, either from the burns of the fire or the pirates, impaling swords into their bodies.

Elias didn't dare stop, he was certain they would catch him if he did. He needed to get to his father and mother. He would be safe with them.

He barely avoided a wall of a house falling down on him. Elias toppled to the floor and scraped his chin. He bit down on his tongue at the pain spreading through his body.

Get up Elias.

Elias looked to his right and his body froze. The old man who would always sit outside his house had his eyes wide open looking straight at Elias. His mouth was open and there was blood running down his face, from the hole in the middle of his forehead.

Elias, move. You need to move.

He quickly forced himself to look away from the man, but he could still see his dead wide eyes ever so clearly. Elias forced himself to his feet. He made sure his dagger was still fastened to his belt, and then he hurried towards the forge.

The further in town he got, the more bodies lay on the ground, the cruel reality of the situation settling within him. He didn't dare look at them. He didn't want to recognise them – his people.

Elias ran through the market, only glancing at the lifeless hand stretching from behind the fruit stall. He closed his eyes, forcing the tears away, panic seizing him.

I need to get to pa.

As he ran further, he managed to outrun the fire, which was still spreading fast right at his feet. His lungs were burning from the constant running and the thick smoke. Just a little more. Elias could already see the forge, its hefty doors closed. Just a little more.

When he came to it, he struggled to open the door. He hoped, as he opened it, that he would see his father, but the workplace was empty.

"Pa?"

The only sound he could hear was the distant screaming and the fire crackling, getting ever closer to him.

"P-pa?"

Elias didn't want his voice to sound so weak and afraid. He didn't want to be afraid.

Suddenly, someone busted in through the back room, breathing heavily. It was his father's friend. He locked his panicked eyes on Elias.

"Elias?" He quickly ran to him, seizing his shoulders. "W-what are you doing here?"

Elias clutched the hilt of his dagger. "W-where is my father?"