“I’m scared,” Mimi grabbed at Laura’s skirts, her small hand clinging to the fabric.
                      “Don’t be… everything will be alright,” Laura said, but her trembling voice gave her away. She knew there was no way that they were going to survive this. At that thought a tear slid down her cheek.
                     “Are you crying?” Mimi’s eyes peered up through long lashes, and tears threatened to spill over from them.
                     “No,” Laura attempted to steady her voice. “Everything is going to be just fine.” She took the young one’s hand in hers and knelt down next to Mimi.
“I promise, nothing is going to happen.” Right as the words left her lips, the ground shook, the entire house rattling with the aftermath of bombs and gunshots. Mimi’s little arms pulled her sister close as fear struck both of their hearts.
                   “They’re getting closer,” Mimi spoke in such a way that Laura couldn’t decide if she was asking a question or merely stating the fact.
Laura was about to tell her that it was not true when a knock sounded on the floor below them, her lie shattered. Mimi let out a cry, but Laura’s hand covered her mouth.
                   “Shh little one, we must not let them know you are here.” Mimi nodded and Laura took back her hand. Three more loud knocks from the brass door knocker boomed.
                    “Mimi, I need you to listen to me.” Laura rose, taking both of Mimi’s hands in hers.
                    “Laura, no!”
                    “Shh,” Laura hushed her cry. “They know that someone is in here, you need to hide. Don’t worry I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about. Now go, hide under your bed. I’ll make sure they don’t come up here.” Her voice was so serious that Mimi knew she would have to comply.
                     She go of Laura’s hands and then little girl crawled under her bed. She slid as far from the edge as she could, and curled herself into a ball. Her last sight of her sister was her ankles, and then the door was shut behind Laura, locking Mimi into the room.

                     Ten minutes and fourteen knocks passed before Laura actually opened the door. When she did four angry faces greeted her. Laura recognized one of them, but kept her thoughts to herself.
                     “Good evening,” she spoke with all of the ladylike elegance she could muster.
                     “Good evening,” the man who stood in front retorted bitterly. He wore the usual garment of the Cirians, and the only feature which set him apart from his followers was a small red pin which pierced his uniform. So he’s a leader of some sort, Laura thought.
                     “What can I do you for you this evening, good sir?” She addressed him.
                     “I am Colonel Nierman, and by the order of the Count we are to have you and anyone else on this property arrested for treason.”
                     “Treason?” Laura questioned boldly, her ladylike appearance falling away.
                     “Yes, you have been harboring evil ones, and by decree of Count Hijan you are to be executed.”
                     “Harboring… the evil ones? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! We would no more take you in then harbor the evil ones!” Laura rose to his height.
                      The Colonel’s eyes narrowed and he looked to say something which his fellow officers would not approve of. Instead he took a deep breath and then stepped into the house, pushing her to the side with one glove hand.
                     “Private, you stay with her. The rest of you, search the lower floors,” he spoke, and then looked at Laura as he said; “I’ll look upstairs.” The fear shown in Laura’s azure eyes, gave her away. When Laura moved to stop him, the private took her arm and held her firmly in place.
                     Laura closed her eyes, fighting back tears. This was all her fault. If only she had stayed within the borders of their small village, then her family would not be at risk. Who knew that one being could cause a war.


                    Mimi whimpered slightly as the sound of heavy boots slid underneath the door. Someone was coming. With a slow creak, the door opened. Mimi closed her eyes, and gripped her knees to her chest. She had to be quiet, that’s what Laura had said. But now all she wanted to do was scream and cry for her mother.
                    Her breath came out in little shivery gusts, and she was sure the big man could smell the fear which rolled off of her. She opened her eyes carefully, and watched as the boots made their way over to the small closet which she and Laura shared. Unseen hands tore the door off of the hinges and clothing was flung everywhere as he searched for something. What could he be looking for? Mimi couldn’t think of any reason why this big scary man could be here. She just hoped Laura was alright.
                   The boots moved on to the large dresser which stood directly next to Laura’s bed. He ripped open the wide doors of the bureau and crashed through Laura’s belongings. But to no avail, he had not found it. What ever it could be?
Mimi’s little heart stopped dead as the boots made their way over to her bed. Her little face was merely a foot away from them, and she could make out the scent of dead cow, and dog excrement on them. She quivered, had he found her? Was she going to die now? The boots did not move and Mimi was sure that she was a goner.
                   But then, out of some miracle they turned and made their way to the entrance of the room. Before she could stop herself, Mimi let out a small sigh of relief. Instantly, she covered her mouth, and almost just as quickly the boots stopped.
                   There was an odd scratching noise as his boots pivoted on the wooden floor. He had heard her. Mimi’s eyes widened and she looked around her, searching for a place of escape. But there was none. At her back and to her sides were walls, the only exit being where the man was walking towards now.
                  Very slowly, the man knelt and bent down to see what was under the bed. Mimi was crying now. Silent tears of terror slid down her face, and she closed her eyes once more as she prayed for everything to be different.