The Hunt

I giggled uncontrollably as I watched my twin sister Melantha try to dance. She spun in dizzy circles before falling on the wooden floor with a dull thud.

"Melly, are you okay?" I asked laughing hysterically. Melly stood up slowly before falling again.

She began to laugh too before saying, "I'm dizzy and bored now." I thought for a moment. Today was our seventh birthday and they had a extravagant ball to celebrate. I gave a wicked grin at my sister, she gave one back.

"Perhaps there is more chocolate cake left in the dinning hall?" I suggested casually.

She stood up, wiping off her nightgown. "That's a great idea Lills. Race you!" She took off running through the door of our chambers. I jumped off my bed quickly, almost face planting when my foot got caught on my blanket.

"That's no fair!" I screamed at her, even though she was long gone.

We share a room even though we have plently of rooms in the castle. We don't like being separated for too long. Our father, king of the dragon realm, gave up on separate rooms when we would just sneak into each others. I bolted into the hallway and instantly shrunk in fear, it was very dark. Running back into the room, I grabbed a candle and lit it. Quickly running out again, I felt fearless because of the light that now illuminated the hallway. In the distance footsteps echo loudly. Laughing, I run towards them.

Shadows dance on the wall, seeming to be watching me as I follow the echoing of my sisters feet. I shivered as the temperature dropped and a gust of wind blew out my candle. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped.

"Melly?" I asked in a hushed tone. Nobody responded. This was strange because she never ignored me. I pull out a box of matches but accidently drop them on to the cold floor. I drop down to pick them up and hear a creak in the floor.

"Melly?" I repeated, louder and more panicked. The silence was deafening, maybe she couldn't hear me? I grabbed a match and lit the candle, burning my finger slightly in the process.

"Ouch." I muttered to myself. I stood up and lifted the candle to the dark to find myself face to face with three men in black. I screamed loudly but it was soon muffled by a large hand. The candle was taken and put out, leaving us in complete darkness again. Now crying, I struggled to get free but it was no use. How can a seven year old beat three grown men? Soon I was blindfolded and shoved into someones arms. I felt myself being lifted up over someones shoulder but all I saw was black.

We walked for a long time before stopping then once again I was shoved into someone else's arms. I was put in a sort of box and we began to move. It was a bumpy ride and very quiet. After what seemed like forever, I could see again. I was in a carriage with my parents sitting in front of me.

"Mommy, daddy!" I cried in relief. I was so afraid that I was being kidnapped. I thought I was going to die but they are here to protect me. They looked at me with pity in their eyes. Confused, I look out the window. Tall, daunting trees surround us, almost completely covering the night sky with their monstrous size.

"Where are we going?" I questioned them, still gazing at the trees.

My Dad sighed before answering, "We are going on a trip to the woods." I directed my eyes back to my parents, who wouldn't look at me.

"Where is Melly?" I asked realizing she wasn't here.

"She's at home sleeping sweetie." Mom replied, her lip quivering. Why would she be sleeping I wondered to myself. The carriage stopped with a groan and a man in black opened the door.

"Dad! He's the one who kidnapped me!" I cried out in fear. The man looked at Dad with a expectant look on his face. After some shuffling around, he pulled out a large coin purse and tossed it at the man. I watched the exchange confused. A similar hand to the one earlier grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me towards the door.

"Mom, what's happening? Why is he taking me?" I asked crying. She looked at me with regret before the door was closed. The carriage took off back to the castle without me. I sank to my knees sobbing. Why would they leave me? Do they not love me anymore? The man stared down at me with a devilish grin.

"Are you ready?" He asked. I wiped my nose with my nightgown sleeve and rised from the leafy ground.

"Ready for what?" I asked miserably.

He laughed manically and said in a taunting voice, "To die of course." I didn't even have time to scream before a beautiful crystal dagger was plunged into my stomach. I looked at the blood now pouring out of me.

"Why..." I managed to croak out. I pressed my hand to the warm liquid and brought it to my face. I was going to die and my parents won't mourn me. He crouched down in front of me and whispered softly, "Fear makes people do terrible things." The last thing I saw were crimson eyes and sharp hungry teeth right behind the man, then black. Distant screaming, then silence.