November 6, 1917, the palace is awoken to loud sounds of canons, muskets, and bayonets firing. Yelling and screaming engulf every corner of the palace.

Guards rush everywhere in panic, One rushes over to me as I try to process the situation. Anastasia clings to my dress in hopes of safety.

“Miss Vika, please take the children and hide!”

“W-What!? What’s going on!?” Anastasia starts to cry from all the noise and panic, realizing not of this was fake.

“The Bolshevik Soviets are storming the palace! Now go hide!”

I find the rest of the girls and take them to a secure location and hide them.

“Olga please keep everyone here, don’t leave no matter what, I’m going to get Alexi.”

“Yes, Vika.” 

I lock the door to the hiding spot and run. My sharp breaths, stinging with every step. Gunshots and canons fire everywhere, I feel a sudden, sharp pain sting through my leg but I keep running and get Alexi’s room. I pick him up to the best of my abilities and run. I get back to the spot and hurry to unlock the door. I give Alexei to Olga and lock the door from the inside. Adrenaline rushing through me has yet let me catch my breath. I take deep, short breaths and slowly ease my breathing, I wince in pain. I take a good look at my leg, my mind slowly processes what I’m seeing...I had been shot.