Sharp stabs of pain in her stomach woke up Vi. Sweat dripped down her forehead. She groaned and sat up.
Why do I feel like I just got punched in the stomach by an elephant? Perhaps a warm glass of milk will help me feel better.
She put on her slippers and silk robe. Vi walked around in the dark until she found a candle and a match. The stairs creaked softly as she made her way downstairs. At the end of the banister, Vi noticed a small box wrapped in red paper and a golden bow that seemed to radiate its own little glow. Hastening her footsteps, she examined the box more closely; on the top of the box sat a tiny card with a single word written in bright green.
Genevieve.
Her curiosity got the better of her as she gingerly unwrapped the gift. Inside, there was a silver chain with a snowflake pendant; shiny blue crystals were placed all over the cold, silver pendant.
Who sent this to me?
Vi picked up the card again and turned it over. What had once been blank was now covered with gold ink. The words read: This pendant will protect you from those who wish you harm. Wear it always, my darling. Love, mother.
The room began to spin, almost causing Vi's knees to buckle. She took in deep breaths through her nose to calm herself down.
My mother? How can this be? I was told that she abandoned me when I was a child, that she was far away and was never going to return.
Vi glanced up and down the hall. Who left this gift for me?
With trembling hands, Vi placed the necklace around her neck. A strange odor reached her nostrils, yet it didn't take Vi long to recognize the smell. Clouds of smoke were coming underneath the door leading into the ballroom. Unaware of what she was doing, her feet took her toward the door and she burst into the room.
The Christmas tree engulfed in red and orange flames. Near the tree stood a group of hooded figures with torches in their hands. They did not appear to notice Vi's presence in the room.
"What are you doing in here?" she asked between coughs. Through her blurry vision, she saw them all looking at her. Their hoods were too low for her to see any of their faces.
Bang!
More strange figures entered from the kitchen. They were wearing crimson hoods and carrying rifles.
"Genevieve!"
Just as she turned her head toward the cry, someone grabbed her from behind. She let out a scream, dropping her candle on the floor with a rattle. Vi tried to get out of her assailant's grasp. "Let me go!"
Her grandfather barreled through the door with a handkerchief over his mouth and nose. "Let her go now. She has nothing to do with this!"
Vi's captor did not say a word as they continued to pull her backwards.
She let out a high pitched sound when her grandfather drew out a sword. A coughing fit commenced as more smoke filled her lungs.
Does anyone else know about the fire? Will they get out safely?
Before Vi knew what had happened, she fell to the floor. After the shock wore off, she looked behind her and saw the two groups of hooded figures figures fighting one another; a small group of them were only a few feet away from her. A stinging sensation rose all over the palms of her hands and knees. She slowly got to her feet and ran over to where her grandfather had been standing. Unfortunately, there were several pairs of fighters blocking her path. Her slippers made it difficult for her to keep up her pace and dodge the weapons at the same time. Vi was almost to him when strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist.
"Don't try to resist me. I am trying to help you," said a gruff voice.
For some reason that Vi did not understand, she allowed her body to relax.
"Genevieve!"
"Use this to block out the smoke. I would also cover my eyes if I were you," whispered her captor as he handed her a cotton handkerchief.
Closing her eyes, Vi placed the handkerchief over her nose and mouth. She heard a few doors creak open and close as she was dragged out of the room. It wasn't until a bitter gust stung her cheeks that she even realized that she was outside.
"You may go ahead and open your eyes now."
She opened her eyes slowly. A large shiver ran down from her head to her hands and feet.
"Here. You can have my cloak."
"Thank you." She wrapped the overly large cloak around her shoulders. The soft fur lining the inside of the cloak felt warm against her skin. "Can you please tell me what is going on? Why are you trying to burn down my school, my home?"
"What makes you think that I had anything to do with that?"
"My apologies. I'm just so confused by what has happened. All I know is that some of the hooded figures were clutching torches."
"Ah, yes. You had a good reason behind your accusation."
"Do you mind if I simply follow your lead? I'm not sure why you need to drag me away any farther."
"Actually, I do mind. I have my reasons for dragging you, to use your words."
The two of them reached the forest to the side of the school. She placed one of her hands over her pendant. "Why are you helping me when you don't even know me? Do you know who my mother is?"
The man stopped moving. "I..." He let out a sigh. "It's complicated. I will try to explain once we have returned to my...I mean, our world, but we must hurry." He began pulling her again when a flash of silver went past Vi's shoulder.
"Ah!" cried her captor. His grip on her waist loosened a bit, but she did not try to escape. Vi had no idea who was attacking them. Drops of blood fell upon the sparkling white blanket at her feet. With a grunt, the man threw something onto the snow; it was a small dagger with blood on the end of the blade.
Why have I allowed this man to drag me away this far?
Her heart told her the answer immediately. If he was intending to harm you, he would have done so already.
Another dagger went flying near Vi's head and her captor stumbled, releasing his hold on her waist. It happened so quickly that the momentum caused Vi to fall onto him. She rolled off of him as he groaned.
"I'm so sorry." Vi started to turn her head to look at him.
"Don't look at me!"
Vi glanced away from him and kept her gaze on a nearby tree. Why doesn't he want me to look at him? Did he really he could keep his face hidden from me forever?
"Now what? I doubt your plan included the two of us laying down in the snow and allowing our pursuer to catch us," she finally asked.
Their attacker sprinted closer to them and Vi let out a quiet gasp.
"You need to go without me. Run farther into the woods until you find a brown stallion. Tell him to take you back home," said her captor between panting breaths.
"What am I supposed to do after that?"
"Make your way towards the castle. You won't be able to miss it. Go now, before he catches you."
She heard him chattering his teeth. "Here. You need this more than I do right now," she said as she got to her feet. Vi removed the cloak from her shoulders and pushed it closer to him.
"Thank you. There should be something in my saddlebag that will keep you warm."
Vi walked around where she imagined he was and tried to keep her back to him. She heard him get to his feet with grunts and move around a bit; she must have gotten close to seeing him a few times. Running as fast as possible, Vi went farther into the forest. The sound of metal against metal and angry cries rang out behind her, but she refused to look back. It didn't take her long to find the brown stallion. Once she was mounted on top of the stallion, she said, "take me back home," even though she felt silly as the words came out of her mouth.
Behind her, there was the sound of running feet then something hitting the snow with a thud.
"No!"
All of a sudden, the horse sprinted at lightning speed and Vi gripped his mane with every ounce of her strength, praying she wouldn't fall off.
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