The fire blazed bright and crackled, sending heat waves through the air. The cottage roof moaned as orange flames licked up the walls.

"Get the water! Adelaide, go to the well!" Her father's shouts were barely audible over the screams coming from the village and the roar of the flames.

Adelaide rushed to the stone well, her legs tangling up in her skirts as she ran. She felt for the rope and her heart sunk. The rope was cut. She couldn't pull up any water. "Papa!" Adelaide screamed for her father. "Papa, the rope was cut!"

Her father glanced back at her and then back at their home, which collapsed. All of their possessions were gone. They had nothing left.

Adelaide heard a scream and turned to where the noise came from. Her mother ran from the village, an ogre chasing after her. The creature had a rusty blade in his hand and swung it wildly at her mother.

"Genevieve!" Adelaide's father picked up a shovel and ran to the creature and hit it. The ogre turned, it's eyes focusing on the man, and it growled deeply.  With a quick swing, the ogre cut her father down and continued on after her mother, who had escaped into the dark Forrest.

Adelaide stood by the well, tears streaming down her face. "Papa!" She ran to her father and knelt down beside him. She pulled him into her lap and wept over him.

"Addy.." Her father's voice was only a harsh whisper.

"Papa! I'm here, Papa!" She brushed his hair from his face and then held his hand. "I'm here."

"Take..take care of your mama.." He coughed and closed his eyes, his body slumping into Adelaide.

"No! No, Papa, don't leave me! Come back!" She sobbed into his chest and shook violently.

A pounding of feet against the earth made her look up and suddenly her vision faded into black.

~~~~