The scones on the wall flickered with firelight. Two sets of footsteps echoed throughout the stone corridor. Mich and Emily walked side by side, their heads close together in conversation. BOOM! The sudden explosion drove Mich and Emily to their knees, stone raining down around their heads. Mich pulled Emily under his body, in order to protect her from the debris. Loud pounding footsteps approached the couple. “We are under attack.” One of the soldiers yelled before the soldiers ran towards the origin of the blast. 

“No kidding,” Emily said standing up, brushing dust and debris from her dress. She reached her hand up her sleeve to ensure that her wand was still in place. Emily turned to Mich to discuss the situation when a maid screamed, “It’s her!”

Emily gasped meeting Mich’s eyes. He looked at her with sadness in his eyes.

“Go,” Mich yelled as he grabbed his sword. “Protect the kids.”

“No, I have to help you,” Emily screamed, grabbing at his arm. “I have my magic. I can help.”

Mich walked up to her and caressed her face. Cupping her cheek in his palm he leaned close to her. Putting their foreheads together, Mich whispered, “Go.” 

Mich turned around and ran down the hall the way the soldiers had run before. Realizing that she had to protect her children, Emily turned and, with tears streaming down her face, ran down the hallway.

Emily burst into the room, the heavy wooden door hit the wall with a bang. The two small children in the room looked up at the bang of the door. The smaller of the two children dropped the dolls that she was playing with and walked over to Emily. 

“What happened Mommy?” Lexy asked, grabbing Emily’s hand.

“Nothing, get to the closet,” Emily said out of breath, grabbing hold of Lexy’s hand and dragging her towards the closet.

“Ok,” Michal said. “Come on Lexy.” Emily let go of Lexy’s hand while Michal grabbed it. Emily whipped around towards the door, reaching out her hand. The door banged shut while the two children walked quickly towards the closet. 

Just as the door banged shut it banged back open. Emily twisted to look back at her two children for one last time. Lexy heard her mom cry out in pain and looked back at her mom. “Mommy you're bleeding.” Lexy twisted in Michal’s grip trying to reach her mother. 

“Run!” Michal yelled, pushing Lexy closer to the closet. 

“I don’t think so.”A cold, taunting voice said.