Officer Bridger Atlas stood at his usual post, the left door of the outside of the throne room. From his spot, he could hear the queen yelling, which wasn't unusual. What was unusual was all the activity in the throne room, and throughout the entire palace. Instead of the usual maids and butlers scampering in and out of the throne room, coming to do whatever the queen or prince asked them, it was advisors.

Many he'd never seen before, some he recognized, rushing in and out of the throne room doors, talking in a hushed, hurried manner. Usually the advisors stayed in the throne room until the work day was over, which was two o'clock pm. It was now six o'clock, and the court showed no signs of stopping anytime soon.

He wondered if he'd be payed for working overtime. His family back home could certainly use the extra money-

The queens voice booming through the thick doors snapped him out of his thoughts. He frowned, the queens shouts weren't muffled by the thick doors like they usually were. He glanced over at Officer Bryant, who was standing on the right side of the doors, who also seemed confused.

The door was cracked open a bit, as if someone started opening it but was stopped.

That theory was quickly solved however, when the queen started shouting. "What do you think you're doing? No one leaves unless I give you permission!" She shouted. The door instantly slammed closed.

Bridger rolled his eyes. As soon he'd been conscripted to be on the palace guard, he quickly found out how fond the queen was of making up random rules at times that pleased her, then forgetting them moments later. He was certain this was another of those rules.

There was a pound on the door minutes later, signaling a important advisor, the prince, or sometimes, the queen herself, wanted to get out of the room.

He and Officer Bryant quickly followed protocol, and opened the door. One arm holding the door open, on fist over the heart, signaling devotion to the queen, the prince, and and the court. He'd hated having to place a fist over his heart, as he was most certainly not devoted to he queen.

An advisor whom he instantly recognized at Advisor Kairo, the Head advisor, swiftly walked out of the throne room, a maid was trailing hesitantly behind her, carrying a large stack of papers.

The top paper flew off of the stack, but the maid didn't seem to notice. Not wanting to break protocol, Bridger stayed silent, but quickly moved the paper into the corner with his foot, intending to return it after his shift was over.

It was one o'clock in the morning when everyone started rushing out of the throne room, eager to get home and sleep. Bridger held the door open for a full ten minutes while people exited, a betraying fist over his heart the whole time, signaling devotion he'd never had, and was certain he'd never have.

Once the throne room had cleared, and Officer Bryant had his back turned, Bridger picked up the paper he'd shoved into a corner. Despite every instinct screaming at him not to, he read it.

Governor Esposito,

I have been informed that the girl is hiding in your province- New Italy. You must send soldiers to find her this instant.

I'm afraid if you don't find her within twenty four hours, I must assume you are protecting her. You will then be accused of treason.

She must be found. She must be killed.

Sincerely,

Queen Nova Ambroise.

§§§

"John!" My aunt yells, running out of my room. I'm assuming she's heading downstairs to tell my uncle what has happened.

I rush to my closet and tear out my suitcase. When I was younger, aunt Elizabeth would make me do drills, packing my things as quickly as possible, just in case anything like this ever happened. I thought it was fun, like a game. I would jump around all over my room, grabbing clothes and other random items I thought were important. Sometimes I'd play music, and dance around, laughing the whole time.

But now I know this isn't a game, it's real. I could die, my aunt and uncle could die.

Thanks to the drills, I'm finished packing in twenty minutes.

Doing a final once over of my room, and deciding there's nothing left that I need, I shut my door one last time.

As I'm walking down the stairs, I hear voices whispering, in a rushed sort of way.

"I have to stay."

"No. Absolutely not. I need you. You're coming."

"It will distract them, if they find me."

I step into the living room and my aunt and uncle instantly stop talking.

"Are you packed?" Uncle John asks, clearly anxious.

"Yeah." I mumble, "Where are we going to go?"

Aunt Elizabeth looks at the ground, thinking, and finally says, "I don't know, we're leaving New Italy, but I don't know where we'll go."

"Shouldn't we leave Aytoría altogether?" I ask.

While Aytoría isn't a a small country, it's definitely not a big country either, the queen could easily find me if she looked hard enough.

Long ago, before the Third World War, Aytoría wasn't a country. Aytoría used to be the west part of Europe, that housed many old countries, Germany, Spain, Slovakia, and many more, including Italy, the country that always fascinated me, because the province I live in is New Italy.

Uncle John shakes his head, "I don't know how you'd make it out. The borders are always heavily guarded, and they're sure to be even more guards with you on the run."

"What about you?" I ask him, noticing how he said 'you' instead of 'us'.

"I'll be staying here," he says, looking at the ground.

"What?" I ask in disbelief, "We need you!" 

"The less people the better." He says, "I'm hoping to be a distraction. That when they come for you here, and find me instead, they'll stop, even if it's just for a few hours."

"No!" I yell as a tear slips down my cheek, "They'll kill you!"

"You should go. They'll be here soon." Uncle John says, staring at the wall, obviously worried.

As if waiting for that cue, the TV turns on, and the Aytorían national anthem booms from the speakers, signaling mandatory viewing.

"Attention all citizens of Aytoría," the announcer says, "This is mandatory viewing."

I glance at my aunt and uncle. Mandatory Vewing was very rare. The only other time I'd ever seen mandatory viewing was when they announced that the king had been murdered, and when they arrested and executed his killer.

Aunt Elizabeth looked at me and nodded, confirming my suspicions. It's about me.

"We are currently searching for the whereabouts of four wanted criminals. Velia Cohen-"

A picture of me flashes across the screen.

"-Elizabeth Cohen, John Cohen-"

Pictures of Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle John flash across the screen. I glance over at uncle John, who closes his eyes and gulps, looking pained to see the image.

"-and Arlette Rossi."

There are gasps from everyone in the room. Arlette Rossi. I've only heard that name a handful of times, my aunt and uncle didn't talk about her that much. But I recognize the name instantly. Arlette Rossi. My mother.

A picture of her pops up. I've never seen her before, when ever I ask to see one my aunt and uncle always make up and excuse as to why I shouldn't see her.

I immediately notice the dark brown hair, icy blue eyes, a hunting sadness lurking beneath her tired smile. She looks nothing like me.

I see uncle John and aunt Elizabeth glance at each other nervously. What are they hiding? Why had they never let me see her before?

As soon as the picture appeared it disappeared. The announcers voice left my thoughts stranded as my attention snapped back to the tv.

"These four people have been accused of assault, theft, arson,and treason.

They are considered dangerous. If you see them, do not approach them. Report them at your nearest police station, and leave the exact location they were seen. I repeat, do not approach them.

We will keep you updated at the search for them continues."

The TV snaps off, leaving everyone speechless. I knew they were coming, but I didn't think they'd announce it to the whole country. I understand why we'd been accused of treason, but assault, theft, and arson?

I'd never once harmed someone, never stolen, and never burned anyone's property. The only way they could have accused us of that is if my mother did them. I know my aunt and uncle would never harm anyone, steal anything, or burn someone's property.

Or would they? How well do I really know them?

I shake those thoughts of quickly. They were my family. They'd never do that.

"You need to go," Uncle John says.

Aunt Elizabeth nods, tears forming in her eyes. She kisses uncle John once, then he turns to me.

"Velia, I love you," he says, hugging me.

"I love you too," I say, hugging him back.

He pulls away, and fishes something out of his pocket. And handing it to me.

A locket. It's beautiful, silver with gold covering it like vines. I open it to find a picture of Uncle John, aunt Elizabeth, and me. "Uncle John, it's beautiful."
I whisper, hugging him again.

"So that you'll never forget me," he says, beckoning aunt Elizabeth to join the hug, "I love you both so much."

"I love you too," Aunt Elizabeth and I both say in unison.

We sit like that, hugging, for a few short moments before aunt Elizabeth pulls herself away and uncle John tells us to leave.

I grab my bag, and inhale as I step out of the house I grew up in. I stare at uncle John for a moment before the door slams in my face, ending my peaceful, happy life.

Because now, everything is going to change.

§§§

Heyyyyy!!! I Finally updated!!

You can probably tell I was rushed at the end of the chapter, sorry about to low quality writing! I'll go back and fix it later, but I'm super tired now...