In the Midst of Chaos

Prologue

Prologue

"What do you mean it's coming into winter already? We're barely at the end of summer," Shay poked her five-year-old daughter in her belly and waiting as the child erupted into little giggles. "It can't be coming into winter."

"But it is, Mama. They told me it will last for a long time," the girl giggled again when her mother's hand found its way towards her tummy. Shay's hand stopped, instead reaching for her daughter's hands and crouching down in front of her until she was eye-level with the young girl.

"Who told you, sweetheart?"

"The butterflies. They told me that winter is coming fast and that it will stay for ages," the child's silvery eyes pierced through her mother's warm brown ones. "What's the matter, Mama? You look worried."

The girl was right. Shay was worried, and not afraid to admit it. Her five-year-old daughter just admitted to conversing with butterflies. Something strange was happening – something that would affect the entire realm. "But honey, butterflies don't talk."

"These were special butterflies. They were ice butterflies who told me I was special."

Shay opened her mouth to answer, only to be stopped by a knock at the door. "Wait here," she instructed, taking a hesitant step forward. They weren't expecting anyone, and Shay knew that for certain. "And Melora," she added, waiting until her daughter had murmured a reply, "don't let these people see you."

"Okay, Mama."

Shay plastered on her best smile, trying to make it seem real, and opened the door to be greeted by a blast of ice and snow. By golly, winter is starting, she thought. After waving her hands around in the air to clear some of the particles, she saw the silhouettes of two men in staunch positions, rigid with either cold or aggression. "Good afternoon, gentlemen, what can I do for you today?"

Although her voice sounded chirpy, Shay had to work hard to cover up the shakiness threatening to spill into the words leaving her mouth. They weren't expecting anyone today, so two unfamiliar men hovering around her doorway was beginning to set off the alarming bells in her brain. "Is there anything I could help you with?"

"The girl," the first man said, his eyes appearing dark and unwelcoming as his face became more visible.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," said Shay, willing her eyes not to water with fear.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, woman!" he bellowed. "The girl! Bring me the girl!"

"W...what g...g...girl?" Shay stuttered out, hoping they weren't talking about her daughter, yet somehow, she knew they were. "What do you mean?"

The man rolled his eyes and turned to the second man. "Bring me the girl, Gourder! Do whatever it takes. I'm not walking out without her."

Gourder pushed past Shay and entered her house. "Excuse me, you can't just do that," she said to the rude men, a look of horror coating her face.

The first man gave a wicked smile. "Watch me."

Shay hurried in front of Gourder and blocked the doorway into the next room, the one her daughter was hiding in. "This isn't your house. You can't just waltz in like you own the place. I demand you leave now."

"Sorry, ma'am, this is business that needs to be taken care of, so if you'll excuse me..." Gourder elbowed her out the way, barging into the room where Melora was residing. The little girl cowered in the corner, not seeming to make any move on getting out of the room.

"Mama," she whimpered, "I'm scared."

Shay held a finger to her lips and silently pleaded her daughter to remain silent until these men were long gone. Taking the opportunity as it arose, she took advantage of Gourder facing away from her and kicked him behind the knees, effectively slowing him and diverting his attention from his search for the girl. "Melora, run!" she yelled as the man hunched over on the ground. The child hesitated with one last look at her mother, nodding and sprinting into the next room while Shay tried her best to hold down the big man.

"Let go of him, you meddling pest," the first man hissed from the entrance of the room, a trail of ice following him.

"No! I will not succumb to your stupid games." A sharp piece of ice flying a hair width past her head shut her up. A shudder made its way down her spine when the man sent a small shard of ice from his fingertips across the room to pin Shay's sleeve to the wall. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Who are you, and what do you want with my daughter?"

"Ah, now you ask. I am an ice controller. And, for your information, your new leader. I am the ruler of Saldar, and whatever I say goes." His eyes tinted evilly and his lip curled into a snarl. "So, get me the girl."

"What do you want with her? She is only a child."

"That child is a threat to my power! Any threat must be disposed of."

"But, why?" Shay angrily ripped her pinned sleeve from the wall.

"Woman, you ask too many questions." With that, the man sauntered across the room to continue his search for her girl. Shay started to follow him, only to be stopped by Gourder putting her in a headlock.

"You're not going anywhere," he sneered.

"I won't let you get my daughter," she replied through gritted teeth. "I won't let you."

Melora ran towards her mother from the room she was in. "Mama, are they trying to hurt us?"

"I don't know, darling, but I think so." Shay's statement was confirmed by Gourder squeezing his arm around her neck. She started choking, oxygen unable to make its way into her body while her child stood in terror watching the entire thing. She knew her face was beginning to turn purple and as she started slipping into unconsciousness, he released his tight hold. Shay gasped for air, only to be delivered a punch to the stomach and jaw. Dizziness overcame her entire body, but one misstep earned her a blow to the eye.

"Mama!" Melora screamed. The man was dragging her out while Shay was unable to do anything. "Mama, help me!"

"Shut up, you stupid brat," snapped the man, slapping the girl.

"Mama!" she shrieked again, her piercing cries filling the air. The man shoved her into the back of a truck, tying the little girl's hands and feet together. The weather was much colder than Shay expected, but when she adjusted her eyes to the outside lighting, she saw that the ground was covered in about an inch of snow.

Gourder kicked Shay until she was outside her house and up close to her daughter. "Melora, I want you to be brave for me, okay?" she whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mama." Tears rolled down Melora's face. The man put a gag in the girl's mouth.

"What is your name?" Shay asked the man.

He didn't answer straight away, instead offering her a sly smirk and allowing Gourder to kick her in the shin. "My name? My name is Elavier."

And with that, he jumped into the truck and drove off, taking Melora and part of her heart with him.

Then there was darkness.

***