39

Time seemed to stand still, there was an eery silence in the air that had everyone on edge. No one uttered a word, no one uttered a sound. They were in battle mode, anxiously waiting for their enemy to arrive. The wind whistled amongst the trees, leaves flickering through the air. Tension was thick, suffocating, even. If you listened intently enough, you’d heard the thundering of heartbeats echoing along the fortress wall, threatening to rip from their chests.

Belle held her head high, her eyes narrowed on the clearing, waiting for those who were against them to arrive. Her chest heaved, the threat that was soon ahead filling her with rage. No one tried to hurt her people and got away with it. Today was about revenge. Today was about justice. Today was about the future. She had a one-track mind right now and it could be summarised with one word: kill.

Her mother stood by her side, her long blonde hair dancing in the wind, determination glazed in her eyes, her fingertips tingling wi