All of a sudden, the peaceful silence was suddenly interrupted.

“LEAH! We need to get out of here, RIGHT NOW!” A man yelled as he burst into the room holding onto two black duffle bags, panic written all over his face. Without waiting for an answer, he ran over to Hannah and Leah as if the world was coming to an end. “The bags are ready, we need to leave now.”

“Wh-what’s wrong, Matthew?” She looked confused—but only for a second. “They’re coming, aren’t they?” She solemnly uttered as realization dawned on her. A nod from Matthew was all she needed to confirm her worst fears. No more hesitating, she hoisted Hannah up and bolted out of the room with Matthew trailing behind her.

Thrown out of her comfort and into a muddle of chaos, Hannah had no idea what was happening. “Mommy, daddy, what’s going on? Who are they? Why are they coming?” The twinkle in her eye no longer existed, that smile disappeared like it never appeared. But there was no time for explanation.

Time was ticking in seconds, and before Hannah knew, the three of them were running across their lawn to their next door neighbour’s house. “Why are we going to Uncle Jay’s house?”

“Sweetie, there’s no time for questions, alright? Just stay quiet and don’t do anything.” Her mom shushed her. “Mommy, I’m scared.” Hannah quietly whispered, petrified of making a loud noise. Leah looked down at her daughter’s face, and saw the fear that reflected her own. Her face softened and she brushed a strand of hair away from Hannah’s face. “Baby, don’t be scared. Mommy and daddy will protect you. Nothing bad will happen to you, alright?” And all Hannah could do was muster a weak nod, putting all her trust in her parents. All the while, Matthew was ringing the doorbell as vigorously as he could, hoping the bell would wake up whoever lived in there. All at once, the porch lights .

“What the fu—“A disheveled looking man whipped the door open, clad in boxer shorts and a wife beater. Just as he was about to throw out a string of curse words, he saw the familiar looking family, the look on their faces, and knew immediately what was happening. “Get in here, quick.” He growled. He ushered the three of them into his house, and cautiously eyed the street up and down for any movements. He closed the door behind him, made sure all the locks were secured, and turned the lights off when he didn’t see anything suspicious. But funny how the dark works, because hidden in the depth of the shadows, the unseen was left unseen by those eyes. 

“We need to get Hannah out of here immediately. I have everything prepared already, I just need time to—,“ The sentence was left unfinished when suddenly loud bangs were heard, as if someone was trying to break the door down.

“They’re here,” Leah whispered gravely, knowing what the future was going to hold. Setting Hannah on the ground, she embraced her like never before. “Hannah, Hannah, Hannah… Baby, Mommy is so sorry.” She cried as she cradled her child in her arms, seeking for any comfort she could find. Tears engulfed her vision when she heartbreakingly pulled herself away, but Hannah hung on like it was her dear life. Abruptly, a pair of strong and comforting arms wrapped themselves around the two of them. Her daddy’s arms; the ones that rocked her to sleep when she was scared of the monsters under her bed. The ones that pushed her on the swings during the warm spring days. The ones that held her close to his beating heart like they were one.

“My Princess… my beautiful princess. Daddy and mommy are both really sorry, and we ask for your forgiveness. Remember everything we’ve ever taught you, and be a good girl wherever you are, and to whomever you’re with. I know you’re a strong girl, because you’re daddy’s big girl. Do not be afraid. If anything at all, Hannah, just remember, daddy and mommy will love you forever and ever.” Unable to control his emotions—as much as he wanted to—he couldn’t. Tears raced down his face and he embraced his loved ones in his arms. The thought of his daughter being taken away from him hurts more than one could endure, like part of his soul was being ripped away and burned into ashes. He promised them the world; he promised them always and forever; but he had failed.

Her parents said a few more things, but it was hard for Hannah to understand through all the disorder. And as much as she wanted to listen to the words of her parents, she really couldn’t. “Daddy, why are you crying with mommy? Daddy you said crying is for babies! So why are you crying! You said you are superman, daddy, and superman never cries!” Hannah calmly said, still not understanding the situation like a deer caught in the headlights. She was trembling, hard, and fear was ricocheting every second that passed by. But her dad said she was a strong girl, so she couldn’t cry… or wouldn’t. 

The last thing Jay wanted to do was break apart this family whom he held closely to his heart. But things needed to be done, and it needed to be done now, especially as the door seemed like it could break any minute now. “I’m so sorry, Matthew, Leah. But Hannah needs to go, now. There’s no more time.” He said as he softly, but firmly, pulled Hannah out of their embrace.

“MOMMY! DADDY!” Hannah screamed when she felt her parents’ grip slip away from her. “I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!” She turned to look at Jay, whose heart dropped the second he saw her face. Tears were threatening to fall from her innocent eyes, and quivered with terror. Why does this have to happen to a beautiful family who deserves nothing but the best… Jay thought to himself. “Uncle Jay, why are you taking me away from mommy and daddy? Can you please let me down? Please?”

“I’m sorry, Hannah, we need to leave now. Say goodbye to them, and hurry.”

Hannah felt her body temperature drop below zero as she took one last look at her parents, motionless, the soul out of their bodies. “NO! I WON’T LEAVE!” She shouted, and violently tried to shake herself out of Jay’s grasp. She was going nowhere without her parents.

“Hannah, Hannah, sweetie,” Leah choked out between sobs. “Mommy and daddy love you, forever and always. Don’t forget that, alright? We love you, we love you, and we love you.” She reached out her hands towards her daughter, but a fierce of wind from outside knocked everything aside. They were in, and it was time.

Without further ado, and with Hannah in his arms as well as the black bag Matthew prepared, he bolted out of that room and left the building through a secret pathway. “MOMMY! DADDY!” Hannah desperately cried out, waterfall of tears cascaded down her delicate cheeks. She screamed, and screamed, but to no avail. Her voice was getting hoarse, but she had one last thing to say as the building started to dim in her sights. “Daddy, mommy, just remember that I love you too. Always and forever.”

And the last thing she heard before closing her eyes were the sounds of gunshots. 

Thank you to YEPPEUNINA POSTER SHOP for the beautiful poster! Definitely go check it out for your graphic needs :)