The witch and the map maker

*THUD* Lyra stood near the wooden door, her hands gripping the handle.She placed her ear against it, her breath hitched, and her eyebrows furrowed as a low growl sounded through the quiet home. The moon shone through the room emitting an eerie feeling all around, The frightened girl slowly opened her door, and the hallway lights flashed -they had never done that before. "Mom?" she called out, but no one answered. Her footsteps were light as she peeked around the corner. Nothing was in sight as she approached the living room, ducking as another low growl echoed out. Lyra felt her heart drop, feeling faint as the fresh smell of zinc filled the air. Her eyes dove down to her mother's body lying almost peacefully. The illusion however was not complete as the rug beneath her was dyed crimson. The girl bent down, her mother's hand still warm to the touch but it was drastically changing to that of a cold corpse, "Mo-m," her voice managed to c***k out. Her eyes were blurry with tears, her thoughts in disarray, but all came to one conclusion, 'What sick monster could have done this? ' She would soon find out the answer, as her body tensed up. Loud and hard footsteps neared her location. She looked up and there stood her elder brother, his skin and clothes dyed red, the same crimson of their mothers blood. Blood ran down his lips, a crazed look in his brown eyes so much like her own. His brown hair was matted and tangled with blood, as he breathed heavily his eyes set on his younger sister hovering over the mother he murdered. "Lyra-," She bolted away to her room, him close in pursuit. He growled as she slammed her door before he could reach her, banging repeatedly against it, her crying and yelping at each bang in response. 'Her mother is dead, her brother killed her, and he's going to kill me .' "Lyra open this door," he yelled twisting the handle to no avail , ...Silence... Until, horrid sounds of breaking bones and snarls replaced the banging from earlier, Lyra looked out her window, opening it quickly before taking a leap of faith and diving out of the 2nd story. The soft bush cushioned her landing a bit. She ran with all her might as she heard her door finally being broken through. Her breath hastened increasing her speed as the tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't know how far she ran but her legs ached and she knew her brother wouldn't rest until he found her, not after what she saw. She only slowed down once she almost knocked herself over. The man held her still, and she could hear a loud snarl behind her. "Please let me go, I need to get-," she begged. "You need help, no?" the man asked, a small smile on his face. "Around that corner lies help," he whispered before letting her go. The girl in question had no other option, so giving the benefit of the doubt she followed the strangers instructions, rounding the corner. Loud footsteps followed close behind. "Lyra I know you're here, come out now and it won't be painful," he called out, slowing down and nearing Lyra who desperately looked for a way out. Before being pulled back, a hand on her mouth as her terrified shriek was muffled. "Relax," a soft female voce whispered. Her body was tense and rigid, but the girl had no time to think as her brother rounded the corner, staring straight in their direction, yet seemingly unaware of their presence. He neared them sniffing about, and then she felt her feet lift of the ground, she was floating? The stranger kept her eyes on the enraged man below as he eventually left. The moment Lyra could finally have a moment to breath out, their feet touched the ground. A pain shot up her leg, causing her to stumble against the wall. Her eyes finally met the strange person's, her brown ones stared back at sharp grey ones, the lady's face was struck with concern watching the younger ones expression become exhausted, until finally her vision blacked out, and her body dropped to the floor.