Cyreina cringed as the gentle breeze stung her

face. The first day it gets warm and I have to be this

way, she sighed silently, feeling her ribs pang in protest

against her the deep breath she had just taken. The girl's

knees ached as she walked the familiar cobblestone path

back to her home. She could see the lights flickering from

it in the distance through the thick foilage.

A sense of comfort filled her as she thought of

walking into the little shop, Maskerade, the only home she

had ever known. The thought of the sweet scent of pinewood

and vanilla touching her senses as she walked into the

small sea of handcrafted toys and art made her smile. She

looked forward to hearing the little tune of Ode to Joy

playing as she opened the door...until she thought of how

her brother would react when he saw her.

She reached up and touched her cheek, dread forming

in her stomach. She hated making her brother, Neth, worry.

The girl was torn from her thoughts as she heard the

screech of tires and loud music blaring behind her.

The noise made her afraid immediately. She quickly

sprinted behind a large building and crouched down. She

shut her eyes and tried to will the old factory to protect

her from them. She shivered as she heard the car door open

and than slam shut.

A gruff voice spoke, "C'mon you!"

Someone whimpering answered him as footsteps drew

closer to where she was hiding.

Cyreina covered her mouth with her books, almost

thankful they had someone else to torment than her.

Cyreina stood up slowly after the door had slid shut in the

front of the building.

For a moment, she rested her back against the

concrete wall, feeling sorry she had been thankful,

"...Atleast when they hurt me, I'll come out of it

alive...I'm sorry for you..." she held in her tears and

ran as fast as she could away from the old warehouse. Her

lungs ached as she sprinted for the sanctity of Maskerade.