Hidden Secrets

6

The fly back home was a quiet mission that's for sure. At first, I had to walk a little bit of it so I could put distance between Jess and I but when I was flying as the sun rose, it was so peaceful, almost like the world underneath me was pure with no bloodshed. 

I climb into my window just before the sun is high enough for anyone to notice me. Better yet, I'm back before my dad is awake. 

I flop onto my bed and pass out into a dreamless sleep. 

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I wake up startled. 

A loud bang.

The castle crumbling. 

My tower is going to fall. 

It's daylight outside so I can't escape through my window. I have to go down my stairs. 

I put on my mother's cloak which I was using for a blanket and rush out my door. I jump down the shaft of the tower and land safely thanks to my wings. 

I run out of the tower and chaos is everywhere in my vision. Servants running around trying to follow protocol for an attack. I hear gunshots outside as I start to run out the door. 

I don't care about anyone in here, I just need to make sure Hope is safe. Or that girl I met, Jess. What if it's her? She said she was the next one to die. But she promised me. 

Fear fills me as I run towards the big double doors. I have to push through so many servants so I can get out. Apparently when the castle is being bombed no one cares about me. 

Behind me, I can hear my father barking out orders to stay calm and to find me. I know he'll be able to spot me quickly so I run faster. My mother's bright blue cloak kinda gives me away in a crowd. 

"Scarlet!" I hear him shout "don't go outside!" his pleas fade into the background as I rush out the doors. Outside there are guards running into formation all guns drawn and training on one thing. 

One of them notices me and tries to shout out from the occasional gunshots "Princess behind us!"

I ignore him and run towards where all the guns are trained. The guard that called out to me runs for me so I run faster careful to keep my wings hidden. 

Then I hear a loud scream of pain, they shot whoever was bombing the castle. 

Something about that scream sounded familiar, I run faster to see who they shot tears starting to break from my eyes. 

Then I see her.

Hope lies on the ground clutching her thigh tight. Tears pouring down her face but she doesn't make a sound. 

I run to her before any guards can get to her. 

I fall onto the ground with her and hold her in my arms "It's okay, it's okay."

"Did you wake up nice?" She manages to say.

I quietly laugh, "that's one way to get my attention." Tears threaten to pour down my face but I need to be strong for her.

"I'm sorry Scarlet." I shush you quickly.

"I'm going to save you. You can't die.

"I don't think it's up to you." She whispers.

The guards are behind me now, I can tell because of the shadows they cast. Everything happens in a blur. 

I hold her.

They try to take her.

She's gone.

I sit there with my head in my hands crying. It's not supposed to end like this. She can't die. 

She can't. 

I can't focus on anything. I think I'm being escorted to the living room in the castle, sat down. My father comes in, says some things that I nod to. I remember all the things about Hope.

Arrested.

Dungeon.

Execution tomorrow.

The enemy.

Safe now.

At some point, he leaves as rage swims in my vision.

I don't remember falling asleep but I wake up to my dad gently shaking me. 

"Time to get up."