Humanity's Hope

Why is it so dark? Why can't I see the light? What's that I hear in the background, I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes, it was still a blur. Why is it so hot? "Madeline!" My eyes shot open, I could clearly hear the crackling of the fire, the snarls, and growls of the beasts. I looked around as my heart beats faster, "Mama? Mama! where are you?!" I called out as I stood up, ignoring the pain that rushed in my bones. "Madeline!" I stumbled around, coughing as the smoke entered my nostrils, what had happened? I can' remember a thing. "Mama!" I cried out before coughing once more. I was about to go through the broken door when a strong, heavy body collided with me which shove me back to the ground with a loud thud, a grunt left my lips squinting my eyes to see through the smoke, and when I got a closer look, a scream tore from my lips. It was the beast. Were we attacked? Is the village infiltrated? I sat up and scooted back, trying my best to get far from it. I got to my feet, I was shaking like crazy, I didn't know what to do. I turned to go run but it leaped on me, I fell to the floor on my front, I groaned, crying as I screamed "Mama!!" but no response came, was she already eaten? I could feel its claws dig down my back, slowly dragging it, I screamed and screamed in anguish, it came out on a higher pitch when it bit down on my shoulder, digging its canines deeper. Was this the end for me? "Little Miller!" The beast on my back let me go and I scurried to move to the farthest wall, the flames were eating up the furniture slowly but surely if we don't get out now, who's to say we'll survive? hearing a groan I looked over to where the beast was and saw a man wearing a black cloak holding a sword. The beast roared and he took the opportunity to stab the beast in the heart, It roared louder this time. The man came to me and wrapped me in a wet towel, he picked me up, "we need to get out of here, the fire will finish him off" I stared at him as he ran out, I watched as the blood dripped down his face, "M-mama?" was the word that first left my lips, he looked down at me, a frown lined his forehead, "I couldn't get to her quick, I'm sorry" I remember crying before passing out that night, staring at the deep marks on my shoulder as the steam from my warm bath lingered in the room. I sighed as water dripped down my body, my wet red hair, sicking on my back and my face, my pale skin was now decorated with scars that gave me the trauma of my life and my blue eyes void of joy and life. A knock came on the door, "Hey! Madeline! would you please hurry up! you're not the only person who needs a bath!" I scowled as I wrapped a towel around my frail body. I unlocked the door and opened it, a blonde woman stood before me, I glared at her "the bathroom is all yours" I grumbled and moved past her. I walked back to my room, it has been three years since I lost everything, my home, my family, my life. Three years since I started training to join the troops of Khisfire. These people training with me don't know what they are signing up for, unlike me, I know how evil and strong our enemies are. I got my proof on my shoulder and on my back, it was proof of my survival, of my encounter with the beast. Locking the door of my room, I changed into my white button-up shirt tucked in my black skinny jeans, I put on my brown leather lace-up combat boots and tied my red hair into a ponytail. I walked out of my room and trudged towards the eating quarters where I believe everyone is at. Joining the training to become a soldier wasn't really part of my plan in living my life, but ever since those putrid creatures took away what was mine, I changed my route. I'm going to avenge my mother's death. I'm going to avenge the death she doesn't deserve. I walked in the noisy quarters and took my tray of food before proceeding to an empty table. I sat down and started to eat, only I paused when a boy and a girl a year older than me sat down along with me, "Madeline" I looked at them "are you ready to meet the beasts the soldiers captured?" I shrugged my shoulders. "I already met them once, What's to say I won't kill them when I see them again" I grumbled, "you should really hold off your anger issues, Maddie, it's not healthy" I looked at the guy as I placed my spoon down, "the sole reason I'm training to become a soldier is to avenge what they took from me, those putrid beasts don't deserve to live" I hissed. They glanced at each other before looking back at me, "we understand you've come face to face with them before, but these beasts are for research, to give us knowledge of how to deal with them" I sighed and gave them a look, "Who are you?" The girl smiled "I'm glad you asked, I'm Lucinda, this is my best friend Mason" The boy nods at me. I shake my head, "I appreciate your concern for me..." I trailed off standing up, I stared down at them "But retribution is what's fueling me to become stronger, it's the drive that helps me become a soldier" With that, I left the table and left my dish in the sink. For three years, I've suffered to recover from what I witnessed, but aside from being blue about it, I shifted it into the motivation that drives me to kill every single beast I see. I will kill them. I will avenge those who died because of them. I will become a soldier and fight for humanity.