Loathed Bond, Irrefutable Destiny!

EMILY

The agonizing shriek permeated the sleepy part of my brain and jolted me awake. I winced from the effect of waking so abruptly, my temples throbbed, signalling the oncoming of a headache. It was always like that for me. I was not the type to be startled awake, the consequences were usually bad, like for one, I'd end up suffering a long, insufferable headache for the next thirty minutes to one hour.

There was the shriek again, and this time, my heart pounded alongside. My brain was fully awake and was currently notifying me of what might be happening. That cry was not one of joy, it was agonizing.

Without wasting more time, I slid from the bed. Ignoring the slight pounding in my head, I jogged down the stairs in my nightwear, two steps at a time. Another time, I would have been proud of myself considering how slothful I could be about even the simplest of tasks.

"What is happening?"

I grabbed the wrist of a maid who was rushing past by. The terror on her face was unmistakable and it increased that pounding within my chest.

"We...we...they...the-the..pack...we..."

"Will you say something?"

Her stuttering was making dread twist my insides more. She broke down and her shoulders racked with sobs, her trembling hand covering her mouth and that was when I saw it. The blood. Her hands were coated in them. Her gown too. It was ripped and was covered in blood.

"Ashton...they killed Ashton..."

She uttered amidst a sob. Oh my goodness! I did not know who Ashton was but I was beginning to understand what was happening. We were under attack. Again. My stomach clenched painfully and my headache grew worse. I could barely breathe.

"Where is my father? Where is my brother?"

The fright in my tone could not be helped.

She shook her head. What did she mean?

"The... the shaking of y-your head, what does it m-mean?"

I hated that I was stuttering but now I understood the maid. Fear and pain could do that to anyone.

But she does not say anything more, just more crying. Abandoning her there, I made to hurry out of there and go search for my father and brother. I might not have a total idea of what was happening, but what I had was enough to scare me to death. Praying to the Moon Goddess and hoping nothing bad had happened to him, I made a beeline for the main entrance door of the manor.

"They're dead."

That halted my step. Slowly, willing my body to stay upright, I turned on my heel and faced her.

"What did you say?"

It had come out croaky and low. Furiously blinking back tears, I licked my dry lips. She must be lying. No, they were not dead. They could not be. It was impossible. Even though they treated me badly, and did not love me as they should, it did not mean I wanted them dead.

"They are dead and so is my Ashton. Many are dead."

"No, you must be joking. They can't be dead."

I shook my head in denial. Refusing to let those terrifying words sink in. The only family I had left could not be dead. No, I was not alone.

"Yes, they are. I saw it w-with my own t-two eyes."

I met her gaze and saw the truth. Her face became blurry, I stumbled in shock. Forgetting the fight that was probably still going on outside, my body melted to the floor.

"We must go. We must run. Soon, they'll come into the manor."

The crying maid urged, but I was too suddenly weak to move. I had never envisioned things ending this way for them. For me.

"Please, let's go. Everyone is fleeing the pack."

Soon, I heard voices. They grew louder as they came near. The voices were unfamiliar but I recognized danger before I even saw it. Quickly wiping my tears, I stood and ran towards the maid. She looked scared.

"They are here. They'll kill us too."

She cried.

"Shh."

I motioned for her to keep quiet and pulled her with me towards the direction of the ballroom. I slipped across the wide, spacious room where my father used to hold parties and functions. I needed to save myself and this maid.

"This is the ballroom, Your Highness. We are we going to?"

I paid no mind to her. Soon, we were standing before a very big portrait, I firmly traced two fingers across my mother's face down to her shoulders, pressing a bit. The portrait gave way to reveal a quite sizeable dark passage.

I heard an astonished gasp from the maid.

"Quick, go in and keep sliding."

I urged her. No one knew of this hidden exit except our family. Father had said it was in case of emergencies, and this was an emergency. Invited guests had admired the portrait of my mother, some had touched it, but it was always a delicate, mindless trail. I joined her and we were soon sliding down to the west side of the pack. It led to a usually lonely path, the perfect exit from the pack.

My nightwear was now a mess, it was not as bad as the maid's but still.

"Let's go."

I said, leading her through bushy paths.

"Hey, some are escaping. Let's get them."

Someone shouted from a distance. I turned to see that some of the intruders had spotted us. Increasing my pace, I ran faster. I turned to see the maid lagging behind. She was growing tired, I gripped her hand again and kept her level with me.

"Leave me and save yourself. I can not keep up."

I saved my breath, not replying to her and kept pulling her along.

"Please let me go. I do not even have anything to live for anymore. Ashton is gone."

The heavy sounds of boots coming after us only fueled my energy. I had nothing to say to this girl, for now at least. We turned a corner, and my sprint was still on, though I was getting tired, I could not let myself slow down. I would not give these intruders easy access to my life.

A hand snaked out and grabbed my waist, I was about to scream when my mouth was covered.

My heart lurched. I was done for!