The Igniters

Prologue

   The day burned, sun light streaming through the large window and lighting up the beaming face of a young girl. She reached her chubby hand out, as if trying to grab the sunrays, then giggled wildly as she caught nothing. The room the child was in was spacious, a glittering chandelier twinkling and swirling like a ballerina from the ceiling. A grand staricase spiralled going upwards into the great unknown. A living room with a silver flat screen stood  newly from the stand it rested on, showing its pretty pictures with their happy laughing faces and funny dance moves. Women scampered around, all clad in classic black and white maid attire, most with a child in hand. All around the little girl, children of various ages sat, eyes glued to the tv. She glanced next to her, at a slightly older boy with a shock of white blond curls and bright green eyes. The girl felt the urge to poke those eyes, they were shiny, like marbles. In one part of her brain, she wondered where her mommy and daddy had gone, then the thought slipped away, another more important thought taking its place.

      The boy with the marbles for eyes was looking at her, wonder in his own face. She smiled warmly.

"What is your name?" the girl asked, her baby lisp still not completely gone. The boy looked at her curiously.

"I'm not sure. What's yours?" He whispered, his voice laced thick with accent.

The little girl sat a while and thought. She looked around, searching for a hint for the question. Her name was on the tip of her tongue.

     In the next moment, the room exploded in dust. Men dressed in stark black suits and elegant masquerade masks on. They seemed to laugh at her. They ran around the room, snatching up kids as they stared at the men in shock. The girl felt a warm hand wrapped around her own, pulling her up and sprinting in the opposite direction. She turned and saw the pale curls bouncing, short legs pumping fast as they ran. The women who had been in the halls were now attacking the Masqueraders, the dusting brooms sprouting sharp edges and they're shirts slipping out firearms. The boy turned into a closet and pulled the girl in, closing it silently. They stared at each other in stony silence, fear freezing them in place.

"Can I call you Marbles?" The young girl whispered suddenly, urgency in her voice. The boy nodded shortly.

"Sure, Goldy Locks." He whispered, a faint smile gracing his cheeks.

The door burst open and the children looked up, they're mouths open in a silent scream. A closer inspection revealed it was a maid, young and beautiful. A second one slipped in and shut the door silently.

"Young ones, we must be quick. I'm Esmeralda, this is Charlotte." The young one whispered, her voice quick and precise. She scooped up the girl, while the older one the young boy. The young one approached the wall of the closet and touched it, bowing her head silently. Outside the room, it was chaos. Children ran screaming, trying to escape the Masqueraders. The floor was littered with the bodies of dead maids, eyes open with grim finality. The Masqueraders carried sacks, filled with wriggling,screaming small bodies. 

The wall imploded with a small poof and a cloud of dust. The women ran through. The hallway was bright, hospital like lights flickered weakly on the walls. A silver door glittered, standing out against the old timey wooden floor board and floral wallpaper. Charlotte approached it, smiling grimly behind her at the younger woman and the girl and whispered into the wheel that would open the door.

"We are the protectors of the Igniters. A grave danger has fallen upon Sanctuary Beta. Help us." Her voice cracked on the last word. It was silent for a moment. Goldy Locks looked at Marbles, tears pooling in her large amber eyes. Marbles reached out and touched her hand, his child grasp firm. He looked at her as if promising that they would be alright. 

The wheel on the door spun open suddenly. Alarms went off, loud and searing. Faintly, footsteps could be heard at the front of the corridor. Charlotte and Esmeralda rushed in, children on their hips and fear on their faces. The room was huge, and bright. It resembled soemething from the distant future. Ten golden cars were parked near the edge of the space. They glimmered invitingly, and Esmeralda ran to them while Charlotte closed the heavy silver door. The women sat the children down and rushed about, scavenging supplies and car keys. 

"Marbles, I'm scared." The young girl whispered, her usually tan face paper white in fear. Her shocking gold hair stood out against her features. 

"Me too, but we'll be fine. Don't you worry Goldy." He stammered, barely containing his own fear. 

Esmeralda walked over to a small panel on the wall and pushed the button, as the door shook violently and shouts were heard from the other side. Quickly, the maids gathered the children stood them together.

"Now you listen children. You must never look for each other. It would put you in grave danger. You are the last of the Igniters. One day, you will realize what you are, and your fate." Charlotte cautioned, grabbing Marbles hand and pulling him the opposite direction of Goldy. 

Marbles looked back at Goldy and she knew it was her turn to be brave, like Marbles. She smiled and nodded, her chubby cheats revealing deep dimples. He felt a weight had been lifted from his young shoulders and walked along with Charlotte into a golden car. She turned quickly, out of the sight of Esmeralda and Goldy. Her smile was warm and he felt reasurrance shortly before a silvery powder and thrown in his eyes. He made a short cry before unconsciousness caused him to slump heavily in his seat. Charlotte hurried in the front seat and started the car, enjoying the purr of its smooth engine before riding off at speeds around 120 mph. 

Goldy watched them leave sadly. The doors still pounded and dent began to appear. They didn't have much longer. Esmeralda crouched down, her dark hair curling with sweat at her temples. 

"You look like a strong girl. You don't have a name. Perhaps I shall name you Althea. 'Healing herb'. Maybe you shall heal from this, little igniter. Yes, Heal little Althea. Heal and take revenge."  Esmeralda whispered, sitting Althea in the seeat beside her, snapping her in quickly before sliding into the driver's seat. She speed off, with the windows down. Althea looked back at the building, smoke drifting from the walls. She memorized the scenery, the soft flowers, the green grass, the field that was behind it. She knew she would be coming back one day.