Takeover

1- Running

Trailer on the side!

Someday, Somehow

by Every Avenue

She ran. She ran as fast as her feet could take her. She ran until she couldn't take another step. Finally stopping, she tried to catch her breath. She hunched over, clutching her side as she struggled for oxygen, her mind still racing, trying to think of where to go next. When she finally looked up from the cobblestone street, she saw a sign not five feet in front of her that made her heart stop racing. It read, 'Ashton Inn.' She exhaled heavily, walking over to the old, wooden door. She ran the tips of her finger along the damp, rotting wood above the brass handle, before she took a hold of the cold metal, turning and pushing the knob inward. She stepped through the narrow corridor, feeling the warmth from the fire instantly warm her icy skin. Her lungs relaxed as the heat coaxed its way through her body. She felt her shoulders slump in relief when the feeling came back to her fingertips.

A voice from behind startled her as she quickly turned around, her blonde hair flipping in her face. "Hello, dear. Can I help you with anything?"

"Oh," she said, blushing, "uh, I guess I need a room for the night. Are there any available?"

"Of course! We don't really get a lot of people in here anymore. Ever since the kingdom was overpowered, not many people want to come visit a city on the brink of a civil war."

The woman's words caught her attention, she realized just how everyone had been effected by her family's decision to go into hiding, thereby giving up the rule of the kingdom to the rebels overtaking the city. Well, hopefully she wouldn't be running for too much longer for she was beginning to really miss her family. Only about a month ago, they were all about to leave the kingdom, and go hide in a neighboring city where they knew a few distant relatives who could keep them safe. However, when they were about to cross the border, she couldn't do it; she couldn't just run away, not knowing who was even kicking them out, and definitely without knowing when- or even if- they could ever come home. So, she decided to stay behind and try to figure out how to save their crumbing home. Now, weeks later, she was nowhere closer to finding who was behind all of this, and it was all she could do to not be found by the soldiers who covered the streets; her blonde hair stuck out like a sore thumb in this city full of soot.

She was awoken from her reverie by the, once again, startling voice of the old inn keeper.

"Are you alright, child?" she questioned with a weary glare.

"Oh, yes, sorry. I'm fine. It's just been a long couple of weeks."

"Yes, I think we are all feeling the weight of the change in this town." She had no idea. "If I may have your name, I will have your room all ready in a few minutes."

"Of course. My name is..." She panicked. She couldn't really give her own name, could she? Abella wasn't exactly a common name, like the type you hear all the time on the street. Let alone, here, now, when the Princess Abella had fled the city. "...Lyla."

"Oh, what a lovely name. You do know what it means, right?"

"No... it means something?"

"Yes. Lyla means 'dark beauty.' Someone with this title is known to be elegant and fierce. It is a strong name," the old woman explained with a voice filled with fascination and admiration.

She liked her new name, she thought to herself, filled with a sense of satisfaction for her improvised identity. It seemed to suit her rather well.

"Well, here is your key, and the door is down the hall to the left. Let me know if you need anything else," she added with a friendly smile.

"I will. Thank you very much."