Prologue
The bright autumn leaves ,vibrant reds and burnt oranges, fell from the trees mingling together in piles upon the driveway and on the slowly fading green lawn. A woman visibly young, sat and gently swayed to and fro on the swing placed on her families' somewhat empty porch. Her bright fiery hair trailed on in the wind resembling the beautiful and wild flames that dance from a torch.
The trees gently tremble and play catch with the wind, sending gusts to one another and skim the porcelain face of the young beauty. Just for once her town, state, and country seemed at rest and in a state of complete and utter peace or at least compared to the way it was before. How it was after the announcement was made, millions of goosebumps form along her arms and tiny hairs raise from her neck. An uncontrollable shudder and shiver are sent down her spine just at the thought of the word announcement and the cruel and sick underlying meaning behind it.
No one knew for sure what was in store, but how could they? The government of Porthuania wanted to be as brief as possible like they owed nothing even if it was a matter concerning you. The United States, such a foreign place, was visiting our home of Porthuania and taking all the people ages eight to twenty back with them to do who knows what. Some speculate us to be capture and used as slaves while others think many other gruesome and sickening thoughts like death, but in the worst way possible.
"Laila, Laila Cove." Laila's mother called from the kitchen nestled in the middle of their robin's egg blue colored home. The once dreamy and fanciful voice became a desperate plea repeating her name as if it were a chant.
"Mom, I'm coming. No worries."Laila grasped the nob of the cream colored door and paced across the wood floor to the kitchen. "How many times have I told not to be anywhere near that porch or the front of this house?" Laila's mother questioned in a stern tone uncommon to the Cove household.
"Several and I'm... I'm sorry." Laila choked out, refusing to meet her mother's eyes and revealing no emotion.
"OK, we're clear. Good."
A loud bang rapped at the door followed by a loud booming and fierce shout. "Open Up!" Fear crept into the eyes of both mother and daughter, both somewhat expected the same awful thing. Five men stood in front of their house; two in front of the door and three in a line across the walkway, all very intimidating. Dark black shades occupied their straight faces dressed in black suits, walkie talkies, earpieces, and weapons belted around their waists like daunting ornaments hung in plain sight to remind of their sole purpose.
The raven-haired man grasped firmly around Laila's arm while the three men at the pathway shifted off the path and on to the lawn. A large midnight-colored vehicle with tinted windows was revealed. "Get in now!"
Imprint
Publication Date: 07-09-2012
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