I Have Lost

Traumatized

Shots rang out. The smell of death took over the air, as I stayed huddled against the wall, an enormous trashcan concealing my view.

Sandwiched between two derelict buildings, the alleyway was dark. Creepy, even, but I didn't dare move. My life depended on it.

My family's life depended on it.

If the League of Iron found out that I was here, it would be no doubt that they'd force me to tell them where my parents were, then kill me instantly. I couldn't let that happen. Not when there's so many out there relying on me.

Especially, my vulnerable, little sister.

Madison was here, her quivering little body slumped against mine. She was only six, yet she had to be dragged along with me and experience the terrifying trauma going on in the past two weeks. You can thank me for that. It's not her fault her older sibling's such an idiot.

You might be wondering what I did, but right now, that's a story for another time.

'Mia?' Madison moved slightly away from me. I could hear the anxiety in her soft, juvenile voice. I turned to face her, my heart banging wildly against my ribs. 'Yes, Mo?' I whispered.

'I'm scared.' Her enlarged, chocolate brown eyes stood out in the darkness, obviously filled with fear. It hurt to see, and hear, that she was afraid, but as much as it made my heart sink, I really couldn't do anything about it.

I brought her close to my chest, hugging her fragile figure with hard-ache. I missed Mum; I missed Dad. They were so far away from us, and I wasn't entirely sure whether we were ever going to see them again – not when there was about 100 marching soldiers hunting them down.

Tears welled in my eyes. What was I going to do?

BOOM! The ground shifted suddenly as another bomb blasted, tugging us to the ground. The impact jarred through my legs and arms, swelling as I clutched unforgivingly at Madison, wailing in terror.

Pure, traumatizing terror.

I tried to speak; tried to move, but something in my body was forcing me not to. I didn't know what it was; but at that point I had no time to figure it out.

I caught a glimpse of a body, crumpled and broken – then my vision blurred.

Darkness.