“LOUIE!” I SHOUTED again. “I’m coming!” I heaved a sigh of relief as Louie came into view. I wrapped him in a huge embrace, my relieved tears wetting both my face and his pullover. “We don’t have time for this!” he said, eyes alert. I nodded, not wanting to accept the sad truth. “The ceiling is going to collapse! We have to get out of here!” “I want to stay near you. I don’t want to be separated… ever again,” I replied. “How did you get here?” Sheer willpower. I wanted to reply. “I’m the royal cobbler’s daughter. We were given an invitation too.” Father. I hadn’t given him a thought this entire time. “My father! He’s in here somewhere!” “He’s probably already gotten out. Let’s go!” I nodded. An Albannanise soldier stepped in front of me, trapping me as he raised his rifle, aiming at my heart. My eyes met his in a pleading manner. Why can’t we just all be friends? I thought. If only the world was that simple. Louie stepped in-between us, saying something to the soldier. The soldier lowered his rifle, but not by a lot, now aiming for his stomach. I screamed as the Albannanise soldier shot Louie. The room went quiet, the ceiling crumbling more than ever. The sound rang in my ears, filling the silence with a single, disturbing note. I glanced at the nearest door, not fifty paces away, and at Louie, kneeling on the floor, his hands clutched to his wound. I pulled his hand away, his hand stained with blood. No! I stood over the prince, the soldier not taking any more notice of me. I grabbed his arms, dragging him over the tile floor to the door. An Albannanise soldier ran through the door, getting out of the ballroom while he could. Tears streamed down my face. Louie… no. A cloud of dust fell along with a few rocks, complicating my path to the door. In the doorway, I placed two fingers on his wrist, feeling his pulse. It was still beating steadily. I took a deep breath. He’s still alive. “Hana!” I heard from the contrasting side of the room. “Father?” I guessed, calling to him. There was a loud crack. I looked up at the ceiling. “FATHER!” I didn’t think twice, running to the middle of the room “Hana!” I heard again. It sounded pained, as though he was fighting something. There Father was. A crumpled figure on the ground, clutching his hands over his heart. I gasped. “Father!” I whimpered, running to him. A chunk of ceiling fell behind me, but I didn’t turn around to see what I had narrowly avoided. I got to him, trying to lift him up to drag him out of the crumbling ballroom. Tears streamed down my dusty face. “Hana, listen to me.” “No! We’re getting you out of here! I promise!” I cried, my eyes darting for an idea of how to get Father out of here. “Hana. You have a whole life to live,” he smiled, hesitating. “Go, be with your prince.” He winked. How does he know about Louie? “I’m not just going to leave you here!” “I’ll be fine. I’ve lived my life.” He looked up, his eyes glassing over as they trailed to only other person left in the room; an Albannanise soldier. I stood, taking five steps backwards out of the door. The soldier fired once at the ceiling, running away. The crack spread wider, larger fragments falling. One fell right where I had been, half a pace away from Father Thank goodness I moved. “GO!” he shouted again. I took one last longing look inside the (crumbling synonym) before running out the door, weeping and dusty, and into the cool night air. White powder coated my face and gown. I cried harder, sinking onto my knees. Father. There was a sound as though the ceiling would cave in. My gaze floated to Louie. He was surrounded by paramedics as his wound was cleaned. I shook my head, placing my hands over my face. The nobles who hadn’t been affected stood in clusters, gazing at the building that’s ceiling had caved in. A hand was placed on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I saw you dragging the prince out here,” a soft female voice said. I shook my head, wiping my eyes. “It was very brave of you to do so.” I sucked in a breath. Me? Brave? “Thank you,” I said wearily. “You’re welcome,” a male voice said, joining her. I lifted my eyes to be greeted by the king and queen of Kemar. My eyes widened. “Your majesties!” I stood, frantically smoothing my skirts before giving a deep curtsy.
>:) Mad at me again??? They're together agaiiiiin They make me happy :3 -OrEo I sure am
