Bound by Deception.

Eighteen years ago...

Fiona's POV

The sound of thunder slammed against the roof, killing all the ants that had been seeking shelter. The streets were quieter than usual; no kids playing in the rain, no lovers making out near the field.

The rain fell heavily now, accompanied by lightning. I watched it closely, almost counting the massive drops. My eyes drifted to a car that sped into the compound. I couldn’t see clearly, but it was evident people were stepping out of it.

My door pushed open. It was my mother. It was her birthday, but the look on her face told a different story. "Come here, Gabriella," she called, grabbing my coat from the hanger.

She swiftly packed a good amount of clothes into a box. I watched as she panted, tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong, Mum?" I heard myself say, tapping her as I spoke.

"Shush," she cautioned, handing the box to me. "Leave through the window."

"But why, Mum?" I cried, holding her tight. "I won’t go anywhere."

She bent down to pull me close, giving me a hug. Something inside told me it was the last hug from my mother, a final goodbye.

"Look," she pulled me away, "a bad group of people are here to send us to the angels up there. You remember the angels I told you about?"

I nodded. "Let’s go together then, Mum. You said it’s fun up there."

"Listen, my love, go to Mrs. Smith. Find your way there and tell her I sent you. You must live quietly all the days of your life. No one must know you’re from this home. Do you understand?"

I cried even harder, but she pushed me away.

"Go, don't turn back, make sure you run far away. Go!" she whispered, watching me jump down from the window. I looked back into the room as a group of men barged in, dragging her by the hair. I covered my mouth, sobbing.

As I ran across the field, darkness fell. I was scared and stopped to go back, but as I turned, a wildfire pushed me down. When I looked up, my house was engulfed in flames.

"Mother! Father!" I wailed, with blood gushing from my head. Though my vision was blurry, I saw the men climb into the car and speed away.

The number plate on the car was unique, not like the ones Father had shown me at his workshop.

My head felt weaker and lighter. I stretched my hand as if to reach out to an invisible being, but before I could move further, a strong force lifted me onto his shoulders.

"Shush, it's me, Gabriella. Don't cry, go to sleep," he patted me on the back as he walked away.

I looked at the house through my dizziness, but there was no house anymore, just flames. The warmth of the fire seemed to melt away all my strength and I finally succumbed to the darkness, drifting into an uneasy sleep.