WARNING!!! Contains mild violence! Do not read if sensitive to this kind of thing! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Why did he do this?" whispered Evelyn, tears coursing thickly down her cheeks as Lyra led her through the broken, empty town. "Because he wants power," murmured Lyra, remembering that terrible day, two days ago. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lyra sat on a chair, her legs curled beside her, reading an article in the newspaper. There had been another death. Well, many deaths. Villages burnt to the ground, towns falling apart. Mama saw what she was reading. "Don't read that, honey," she said gently. "It's got nothing we couldn't guess.” "He doesn't deserve to be our emperor," argued Lyra angrily. "If a /single/ person object to his /inhumane/ laws, he destroys the /entire town/! No good emperor does that!" Evelyn looked up at her, from where she sat at the fireplace, drawing. Her face was pale. "I... I want it to stop Lyra!" she whispered. She was so young, so innocent. It wasn't /fair/ to make her live this! Mama sat beside her, and said gently, "It'll all be over soon." Evelyn sniffed sadly. “Will it though?” “Of course,” said Mama briskly, taking the kettle off the stove, and pouring the boiling water into two cups. “Here you go, darlings,” she smiled, handing them their hot water. “I’m afraid we’ve got no tea leaves left,” she added, a shadow crossing her usually placid face. “Well, I wonder why,” muttered Lyra. “Enough Lyra!” snapped Mama. She never snapped. Lyra scowled and drew her knees to her chest. "Time for bed," hissed Mama darkly. Lyra and Evelyn nodded meekly and got changed for bed. Lyra was woken in the early hours of the morning by Mama shaking her shoulder, hard. Evelyn stood beside her, still in her pyjamas. Both of their faces were ghostly pale. "We have to go! /NOW!/" whispered Mama. Lyra realised what was happening. "Oh no no no no," she whispered, leaping up. His soldiers had come. To destroy their town. Their home. Together, Lyra, Evelyn and Mama fled out of the house. Lyra could only hear screams. Gunshots. Evelyn suddenly shrieked. Lyra and Mama spun around. Two soldiers had her in a tight grip. Lyra made to run to her side, but Mama pushed her back. She strode forward, her dark curls flying in the light breeze. "LET GO OF MY DAUGHTER," she snarled, prodding the soldiers both in the chest. "Have me, for all I care. But let my children go." The soldiers sneered. "As you wish," drawled one, a tall skinny man with a high, nasally voice. He shoved Evelyn away from him, so hard that she fell to the ground, grazing her palms. He seized Mama in an iron grip, and began dragging her away, his companion walking beside them menacingly. "WAIT! NO!" screamed Lyra. "Run, my loves," rasped Mama. "Go!" So they ran.
Hope you like it!!
