Smoke rose from the Hidden Bird Village as screams filled the air.
The young girl pushed her way through the panicked crowd as she called out for her parents.
She screamed as a building caught on fire started collapsing and fell towards her,closing her eyes.
Someone knocked her over in time.
She dared to open her eyes.
A man with fair skin and short dark hair with brown eyes stood before her.
"Papa!" she cried.
"Are you hurt,child?" he asked his daughter.
She shook her head.
"Good." He let out a breath he had been holding for awhile. He picked her up.
"Papa,I'm scared."
His face softened at his daughter.
"I know you are,darling,but I need you to be strong now. Can I trust you to do that?"
"I-I think so."
"Close your eyes for now. I'll tell you when to open them again."
She did what she was told and clung tightly to her father as he moved.
Something that sounded like a hiss sounded from behind them.
"Kireina," Benji said as he stopped to speak with his wife.
Midori couldn't help but open her eyes at her mother's voice.
"Mama!" She cried.
Kireina stroked her daughter's cheek as she kissed her forehead.
"I love you,my child," she told her. "Always remember that." She kissed her husband,a tear running down her face. "Go now. I'll hold them off."
Benji nodded.
"Close your eyes,Dori," he told her.
Midori closed her eyes once more and they were off.
Midori clung to her father for dear life as the earth shook,bits of the ground rising up and chasing them.
She screamed.
"Hold on,Dori!"Benji yelled as they hit the ground rolling.
Benji stood up, Midori still in his arms, and continued fleeing, cautious of his surroundings.
--------------------
Benji opened a wooden cabinet and placed his daughter inside.
"Stay here." Benji told her. "Do you hear me? Don't come out no matter what you hear."
