The Sundered Hearts

A sleek, shiny black car pulled up outside the grand Dewitt estate, a house that stood in bleak contrast to the Luna Homestead. As the car came to a halt, a servant opened the passenger door, and Dawn Dewitt stepped out, followed by Lauren Williams.

The grand doors of the estate opened, and Daniel Dewitt stepped out.

"I'm disappointed, Dawn" Daniel frowned.

"I am sorry, father" Dawn knelt before her father and bowed her head.

"You had three targets. You had your chance on that bridge, why did you not take it?" Daniel asked, calmly.

"I... intended to turn her to our cause" Dawn sighed. Daniel tutted and looked at Lauren.

"Who is this?" Daniel asked, approaching Lauren, Dawn stood up, and moved in front of her.

"A witness" Dawn replied, as she guarded Lauren.

"Why didn't you deal with her?" Daniel asked, his tone betraying a seething anger.

"She's not a Crystalla. I don't want to kill when I do not have to" Dawn sighed. "If we kill, it makes us no better than Hawke" She added.

"Dawn" Daniel sighed. "Sometimes blood must be spilled. She is a liability" He continued.

"My liability, Father" Dawn replied. "I will be responsible for her, she will... be my handmaiden" She added, as she turned to Lauren and gave her a look, as if to warn her to agree.

"Do you accept these terms, girl?" Daniel looked to Lauren, and asked.

"Y...yes, Sir" Lauren nodded, as she shook, Dawn grabbed Lauren's hand to calm her.

"Fine" Daniel rolled his eyes. "But... do not try to leave" He growled, as he headed toward the car. Dawn ran to her father.

"Where are you going?" Dawn asked. Daniel slapped her, which sent her falling backwards.

"To talk to the King, you silly girl. To try to clear up your mess" Daniel gritted his teeth. Dawn remained silent and stared at the floor, as Lauren tried her best to hold herself together.

Daniel's door slammed and the car went around the fountain that sat in the centre of a roundabout that circled the driveway, before leaving.

Lauren fell to her knees, and began to cry. Dawn sighed and turned to Lauren.

"I'm sorry this had to happen..." Dawn frowned. Lauren saw Dawn approaching and pushed her backwards.

"Stay way from me, murderer!" Lauren shouted, Dawn quickly shushed Lauren and covered her mouth.

"Please don't!" Dawn whispered. "I'm trying to keep you alive here..." She grunted, as she uncovered Lauren's mouth.

"You... killed Noah, though..." Lauren kept her voice low. Dawn nodded with a sad expression on her face.

"I know" Dawn said, as she headed inside and motioned for Lauren to follow, Lauren sighed and followed closely behind, as they entered the main hall, where a huge statue of a lion stood between two curved stairways, a blood-red carpet covered the floor.

"You're my handmaiden now" Dawn began. "My father would have assigned you to the kitchens or cleaning otherwise, but as my handmaiden, you will be accompanied by me at all times" She continued, before stopping and turning to Lauren. "I don't expect you to do any work, I'm more than capable of doing everything myself. Just keep your head low and... I'll eventually try to get you out of here" She whispered. Lauren frowned and nodded.

The two headed upstairs as the huge doors slowly closed behind them.