I sigh, patting my bloated stomach contentedly, wiping the leftover cake crumbs from my mouth, watching as they fall to the grass beneath me.

I wondered what creature would acquire them first, the ants, the birds, the worms, or if the earth herself would reclaim the ingredients, continuing the circle of life.

I begin to feel groggy, a sweet smell filling my nose as the earth beneath me shifting and swirling in my imagination as I hear the rustle of leaves in the forest behind me.

Red roses in the distance come to my attention as my eyes slide shut, imprinting the image in my mind.

A snap of a twig in the distance, echoing in the dead silence.

The light hooting of an early owl.

The slight thump of a hares foot as it warns its brethren of a predator.

The light swoosh as an arrow cuts through the air, nailing the helpless creature in the eye.

And the crunch of a boot as it marches towards the safe encampment of a willow tree.

I am unaware of anything as I slip into a slumber, helpless, as I hear metal being scraping across metal as a blade is sharpened. How do I know this with my eyes closed? I do not know, for it is only a dream, after all

And the roses fade away.

∞∞Ω∞∞

I am awoken from my slumber to somebody shaking me.

My eyes are sealed shut, and I struggle to open them, my vision bleary as I gaze up at my father.

He was shaking me as my eyes cleared, and what I saw caused them to widen in shock.

Running from the top of my fathers head, was a thick stream of red blood, matting his hair.

But, it wasnt just blood. I saw silver.

There was silver laced in his blood.

The blood dripped onto my arm, sizzling slightly. I couldnt feel the pain. Maybe this was a dream.

His once ocean blue eyes were swirling with silver, matching the blood.

My eyes widen in fear as I hear yells and grunts from behind my father.

I try to peer around his shoulder, but his hands were latched onto my shoulder, not budging as he forced me to look at him.

"Wha- whats going on?" I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

"Theres no time to explain. I want you to go. Now." He demands. His eyes boring into mine, pleading with me.

"B-but I dont want to leave you guys," I plead, my eyes peering up at him desperate, my hands gripping his shirt, balling it up in my hands.

He removes his jacket, wrapping it around my small frame, enveloping me in warmth. My father was always unusually warm, even in the depths of Irish winter.

"You have to. I dont want to be separated from you either, but you just dont understand the danger you are in. the rest of us will be fine. We promise we will see you again," he whispers in my ear while he hugs my body to his chest.

I bury my face in his shoulder. "But-" I am cut off.

"No. I want you to turn at the left fork," my eyes widen as he continues, "I want you to run, and to not look back, I want you to keep running until you reach a willow tree much like this one, do you hear me?"

I nod my head, pulling back from him with a questioning look. From what I knew, there was no other willow tree in the surrounding forest except ours, but it could be possible.

He pulls me back in for one last hug, "Now run," he whispers, and releases me.

So, I run, with one last glance at my father, I run. And I dont look back.

The tears running down my cheeks were hot and salty as they trailed down to my lips.

I sprint across the short distance to the path of the treeline. Then turn left.

I slow down slightly as I pass the fork.

I continue at a steady jog. Until I hear a scream.

My sisters scream, which is soon mingled with my mothers.

My head and my body whip ack round to face the meadow once more, and I begin to sprint, stumbling on the roots of an oak tree before I slam into a wall.

But there was no wall. It was invisible.

You cannot cross here. An ethereal voice filled my ears.

"Why?" I ask, strangely calm.

Because your father will not let me.

My father had something to do with this?

The tears begin to flow.

"Why?!" I yell, my patience breaking, "why cant I see my family who may or may not be hurt?! How come Im the one that must run to safety? Why cant it be Nicole? She cant defend herself like I can!" my voice cracks, becoming a whisper, "Why am I so important that I have to run?"

I fall to my knees, salty water falling from eyes in torrents now, splashing against my knees and the muddy ground.

The voice was silent.

I probably just lost my family. Maybe forever.

866 words.

Edited