The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

Life Story

     Florence felt like she'd been kicked in the chest, she stumbled back and was caught by Quentin and Skyrah. They looked both shocked and confused, mimicking the expressions of the couple standing wide-eyed in front of them. 

    "Excuse me, madam? You seemed rather uninformed of the story of what happened here. How could you possibly know the name of their daughter?" 

Florence was ready with her answer, she needed the couple to keep talking. "I... I thought I heard the name... on our way through town. Please, continue." 

    The couple appeared a little suspicious of her reaction, they peered at their own family with warm smiles and seemed to forget their suspicions. Florence however, had to keep her composure while she listened. 

"There wasn't much left after the blast, nobody knows what he used to blow himself up but he killed himself and five other people, it was a dark day indeed. Once word got out of what happened, what Mr Blake had done. The Governor arrived and the people demanded change, they didn't want something like that happening again... just because one person didn't get their own way." 

    "The Governor agreed and laws were amended, lives were altered and all for the better. We found new ways to live our lives, to make everyone equal and every public house was closed for good. Since then things have never been better, we have Tranquility Day on the anniversary of the blast, to remember the events that led to The Change and to commemorate the lives lost that day." 

   "Including Florence and her mummy, right Gran?" Said a little boy who had come to join them. He looked to be around six or seven and had just finished threading flowers through the chain links. 

"That's right, Simon. Well done for remembering." 

"You also remember the little girl and her mother? Why?" Florence enquired.

    "Because they were the starting point, their bravery in leaving that horrible man led him to his horrific act, which in turn led to our peace and prosperity. They are the reason Pondley is as wonderful and free as it is, we give thanks to them and hope their life was all the better for leaving." 

    The couple wrapped an arm around their grandson and he grinned up at them. A moment later the middle aged man of the family called to the older couple, they waved a hand to him.

"I'm sorry but we must be going now, the Governor will be giving his speech in the square soon and we never miss it." 

   Florence inclined her head, "Thank you for all of your help." 

The couple blessed them again and the whole family left the crater-side. Laughing and greeting fellow townspeople on their way. 

Florence turned to stare down at the crater and she felt like she was slowly being swallowed up by it. 

    "Mrs James, are you alright?" Quentin asked tentatively, he leaned over to look at her. 

"I'm... no, I don't think I am." 

"What's wrong?" Skyrah asked, she'd moved to stand on Florence's other side, sharing Quentin's concern. 

Quentin placed a hand on Florence's back, "It was you, wasn't it? You're the little girl in the story." 

     Florence sighed and moved away from the crater, "Let's get into the vehicle and talk about it there, I don't fancy being some strange sort of celebrity here." 

They got back into the vehicle and closed the windows, the cats all attempted to sit on Florence in some way. They could sense her feelings and wanted to comfort her in any way they could.