Nightmare

A New Beginning

"It's a misunderstanding," said Papà. He had put himself between the man and Nova's mom. "Let me talk to him. I'm sure I can explain—"

 "There's been no misunderstanding," the man said. His voice was low and cold. "You have betrayed his trust, Mr. Artino. He does not like that." 

"Please," said her mom. "The children are here. Please, have mercy."

 He cocked his head, his eyes shifting between them. Fear tightened in Nova's stomach. "Let me talk to him," Papà repeated. "We haven't done anything. I'm loyal, I swear. I always have been. And my family ... please!"

For a moment it looked like the man might smile, but then it passed. "My orders were quite clear. It is not my job to ask questions ... or to have mercy." 

Her father took a step back. "Tala, get the girls. Go. " 

"David...," her mother whimpered, moving toward the door.

 She had barely gone a step when the stranger...

...Crashed to the floor out cold. Nova was confused at first until she heard a voice say "Finally," then a man she had only heard descriptions of materialised, crouched down next to the fallen man as he said, " we've been waiting for the chance to get some evidence about what he was going to do," the Dread Warden said with a sigh. "Captain Chromium wants us to start asking questions first before we attack. Its a pain, but thank you for trying to reason with him. It makes my decision to attack so much easier."

Papa shook his head and smiled at the Dread Warden. "No, thank you! If you hadn't acted wh knows what would have happened to me and my family," he said as Evie started crying again. "Oh, Tala, could you go help her while i talk to the Dread Warden, Nova go help your mother, please."

"Ok Papa," Nova said, staring in awe at the Dread Warden as she backed into the room, followed by her mother.

As she stepped over to her little sister Nova Whispered to her, "Evie, the Renegades came! They saved us!" Nova turned to her mother and said, " Mama can I be like them someday?"

Her mother smiled and said encouragingly " Of course you can! But only when your older and things have settled down."

Nova didn't know it but her mother, who could see int other peoples futures, was 100 percent correct. Nova would be a renegade, and their lives would be happy with her as one, until the rebelion began.