Blood & Roses

    The sun beamed down on my sister running around in the garden, her dress flowing in the wind that her movements created. Father chased her while her innocent laughs filled the air, causing a smile to form over my face. Beline’s laugh often caused this reaction in me and a part of me didn’t want it to ever end. I wanted to keep her happy for as long as I could.     Her bright, red hair seemed to glow with the warm rays that covered it. Her skin an even and soft tan, freckles over her face and shoulders. Lyra wore a simple blue sundress that waved behind her with her movements, making her seem very much like a princess or goddess. She was very beautiful for being only six years old.     “Beline! Dalana! Time for lunch!” Mother’s voice rang out, causing me to snap out of my thoughts as I started to stand up from where I sat, brushing off the skirt to my dress. Father picked up Beline and we all headed inside for lunch, where the amazing smell of paprikash filled the air. I could practically feel the drool feel my mouth.     “Dumplings, dumplings!” Sang Beline, her contagious smile brightening up the room. The dumplings were her favorite part of this dish. Sometimes, it’d be a fight to atleast get a small bowl of dumplings before the girl would practically devour them all. Sometimes, I wonder how such a small girl could eat so much.     My small family settled down at the table, a comfortable silence befalling as we slowly started eating. Father was reading the most recent newspaper to keep up with the problems between vampires and humans. Mother was focused on her plate and making sure Beline stayed seated despite her being energized to the point it could be considered hyper. I was just admiring the family from where I sat.     A short grunt of displeasure left Father’s throat, which drew our attention to him as curiosity and concern hit.     “What is it, dear?” Mother asked, her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes showing nothing but concern for what may be the problem.     “The vampires seem to be becoming more dominant. They’re going around sending the men to intensive labor or, in rare cases, s*****y. They’re slaughtering those who oppose. The women and children are being sent to s*****y, as well.”     The situation caused a gloom to hang over our table. It was true that the situation between our two species was getting worse. However, this was escalating quickly! The problems seemed to have arisen overnight. In reality, it has been about a month since problems were first noticed. Instinctively, my hand moved to grip Beline’s small one, worry evident.     The current lord on the throne had stepped up around then. During the required celebration, I managed to recall him being a short man with heavy weight. His beard had reached down to be about in line with his shoulders. The hair on his head was incredibly short, but not buzzed or bald. His eyes were grey and tired, and it seemed like he was struggling to even stand from his throne. His wife was tall and thin with dark hair. She never seemed to look up, a bit timid for a Lady, in my opinion.     “What are the Lord and Lady doing about this?” The question left my lips before I realized that I was asking it.     “At this time, it’s unknown. The people haven’t seen them in about a week or so.”     “What should we do, then?” The question piped from Mother this time.     “I wish I had that answer. I guess we should just be wary at this point. Try to keep to ourselves or stay inside. It’s a blessing we live in the outer parts of the city. They usually forget we exist and seldom check around here.”     A whimper sounded, drawing our attention back to the six year old who had obvious fear in her face. Tears of her fear were evident as they slowly trailed down her flushed cheeks. It was then I realized that this conversation was probably making her anxious. Immediately, I moved to pull my darling little sister in my lap, resting my head on top of her’s while pushing her face into my chest.     “Don’t worry, little rose. Big sis Dalana is right here. I won’t let anything happen to you while I’m alive.” My hand moved to carefully brush out the tangles in her hair, my focus now on calming Beline.     “A..alright.. I believe you, Lany..” A small smile twitched it’s way to my lips, my happiness evident with the nickname Beline had given me when she was younger. --     After that night, we had spent a few more days doing our usual schedules. Father left for work, Mother would tend to the house, and Beline and I would play outside together or aid with the chores.     "I love you, Lany!" My little rose's melodic voice rang before I felt a small force against my back. I stumbled a bit before managing to steady myself and support her weight.     "I love you, too, my rose." I started running around with the tiny girl on my back, her laughs causing my own to leave. I wish this would never end. My face was flushed and I was panting a bit with the workout I had, my sweat causing my clothes to stick to me. As we were running around, I saw a figure walking swiftly towards our home which caused me to stop running. Instead, I turned so that we were facing the silhouette heading towards us.     "Father!" I called out, raising a hand to wave at him while using the other to continue supporting her. Beline's tiny hand had reached up to wave at him as well after hearing me call to him.     "Get inside!" He yelled, causing panic to run through my mind as my heart started thumping against my chest again, though this time with the anxiety.     "What's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling and showing my uncertainty. As he neared, I noticed a red streak behind him and how he was holding his side. His expression was contorted with pain while his usually bright green eyes seemed to be dulling. He was gasping and panting for air, but continued running despite it.     "No time to explain. Take Beline inside and hide! Find somewhere safe. Now!" He ordered, rushing past us to notify our mother. I heard shouting behind us, causing me to glance as I saw three more figures appear. This time, though, they seemed to be moving faster than Father, which caused me to immediately break into a sprint towards the house we lived in. I felt the color drain from my face as fear and realization hit me.     "Beline, hide your face against my back." I demanded, crouching quickly to grab my cloak as an idea came over me. She quietly complied, almost making herself look like a ball on my back as I adjusted to wrap the cloak around us. I didn't even stop to do so, I was running as fast as I could for the doors that lead to the basement. I needed to protect her. I need to keep the promise I made to her!     As soon as we got in, I slammed and locked the door before turning around. My eyes scanned the room before landing upon some boxes in a corner, to which I quietly moved over and crouched near.     "My little rose, you're so brave. I need you to hide here, please. Take my cloak and hide among the boxes."     "Lany, no! I don't want to leave you!" She cried, her eyes wide with fear.     "You need to hide, little rose. I don't know what's going on, but I promised you, didn't I? I won't let anything bad happen to you for as long as I'm alive." I whisper, adjusting so she were now in front of me as my hands gently rubbed the tears off of her cheeks. My heart was breaking just by seeing her like this; the polar opposite of the girl I had seen just a moment before.     "I want to stay with Lany!" She whined. I sighed, realizing I wasn't going to win the argument, so I bundled her up in my arms and moved to crouch behind the boxes. I used the cloak to cover my head, only allowing enough space for me to see. I held Beline against my body, almost as if I were a bubble around her.     All I could hear was the pounding of my heart for a few moments, before I heard the door upstairs crash down, probably breaking a few things on it's way. I held my breath in a futile attempt to keep quiet as I heard yelling between my Father and the random men who had entered.     "Where is the rest of your family?" A man harshly snapped towards Father. I think that was the leader.     "Like I'd tell you! I won't let you harm my family." His gravelly voice replied.     "I suggest you cooperate, Mr. Thorne. If you don't.." He was cut off by the scream of Mother, followed by the dragging sound from the floor above.     "Ah, here's one of them. Where are your daughters?" The leader asked now, his words sending a chill down my spine.     "Leave them alone! Unhand my wife!" Father practically growled. Suddenly, I heard Mother scream again followed by a squelching sound.     "Erica!" Father called out Mother's name. My eyes widened as I realized what had happened.     They killed Mother. Tears pricked at my eyes, but I kept myself quiet, only squeezing the innocent girl in my arms closer to me.     "How dare you lay a hand on.." Another squelch sounded as I assume a sword protruded through him.     "Any sign of the girls?" The Leader asked his men. Next thing I heard was the sound of items breaking.     "None, sir. We can't seem to find them." A bit of relief washed over me until I heard Leader reply.     "What about the basement?"     Shortly after, I saw light flood into the basement. This time, tears started streaming down my face as I held in my breath again. I could only feel fear and the desperate need to protect my little sister.     This time, I could see the men trashing our basement as they searched for us. The men who had just caused us to be orphans. The men who had ruined our lives, basically, and we were helpless to stop them.     I tensed up as I saw one of them nearing us. My heart felt like it might burst out of my chest as my sister and I clung to each other for dear life. I closed my eyes tightly, praying they wouldn't spot us.     Yet, my prayers came unanswered as I heard the icy voice above, "Found you."     A shriek left my sister as they grabbed her and yanked her away from me before grabbing my arms and yanking me out.     "Don't touch her! Please! Don't touch my little sister!" I became frantic, thrashing and reaching for Beline, eyes wide with fear as I realized I was failing at protecting her. "She's only six, leave her alone!"     "Lany!" She screamed, tears pouring down her cheeks as she squirmed and flailed her arms around.     "Sorry, no can do. We're under strict orders." Sneered one of the men, as he moved to flick a needle before inserting it into her neck.     "Lany, it hurts! Make them stop! Leave me alone.." Cried Beline, though it was obvious she was slowly losing her strength. However, I could tell she was managing to keep her eyes open just barely.     I screamed and started thrashing even more, trying to get to my sister and protect her. Why couldn't I just protect her?! I had one promise to keep, and these men were making it nearly impossible!     Suddenly, I felt a pain in my lower abdomen. My movements stopped, a yelp leaving my lips. I slowly looked down to see a knife in it, blood slowly streaming from the wound. I coughed a bit, the blood now dripping down my lips. "You.. stabbed me.."     I noticed that after my words, Beline's movements had completely stilled and her eyes were closed. Tears poured down my cheeks as I realized I may die here and I'd have left Beline to live a hard life. Again, I flinched as I felt the prick of another needle in my neck.     Shortly after, my world started to turn black as the laughter of the men surrounded me and and all I could feel was someone carrying me and the wind moving around me as they traveled. Finally, I had blacked out from the immense pain and the drug they had put into my system. I had failed in protecting my little sister. I failed my little rose. I could only pray that somehow, she'd find a way to make it through this with minimal pain.