Pain

Her feet were sore, she felt emotionally exhausted after the day's events and on top of that her head was killing her. She hated these long walks home. Sure living further away from town meant fewer chances of trouble. Trouble though was something she knew would come their way.

She may only be seven but she knew that, for her age, she was smart. It was something to do with magic. It increased people's mental ageing as kids. Meaning they could have the body of a seven-year-old but the mind of someone twice that age.

Ugh her head really hurt. Every step she took her head would throb with pain. The dust blowing in her eyes and the heat of the day probably didn't help. In an attempt to take her mind off the pain in her head she began to think of what could be in the letter once again. It bugged her that she didn't know. It crossed her mind that she could just open it but that would make the contents real. For good or for bad she wouldn't be able to unread it.

She sighed, best leave it for her dad to read. Taking a look at the few run-down houses around she noticed a couple of government soldiers leaning against the side of a building just up the road. It was a small thing with only one floor. Chances are it only had a bedroom and a small kitchen. Coming off the side of the building at an angle was a tarp that offered a small measure of protection from the oppressive heat.

Trying to ignore them she continued her long walk home but she couldn't help but hear their conversation. "You know the illusion mage" the voice was deep and relaxed. These two were clearly off duty or why else would they be so relaxed. "Well, he is meant to be in the area" Then as if thinking what to say the other guard replied, "well let's hope we don't bump into him then. He scares the crap out of me". Allica did not know who they were talking about but for government soldiers to be scared of him could not be good. Picking up her pace as she walked past her head suddenly throbbed with another pulse of pain 10 times worse than anything that had come so far. Her step faltered and she fell to her knees. The pain came again worse than before, then again and again and again. Getting worse and worse and worse. Faster and faster. She was dimly aware of her face against the baking hot dirt of the ground. The sound of footsteps fast approaching was only barely recognisable under the onslaught of the pain. "hay kid! Kid are you okay?" He sounded panicked and the last thing allica heard before passing out was the man shouting for James, the other soldier she guessed, to come help.

Allica was in her room. Her hands were shaking and she had sweat pouring down her face. Coming from the other side of the door was screaming. loud tortured screaming. She had to get out. The only thought in her head was escape.

Spinning in a quick circle she assessed her situation. There was her bed in the far corner, useless. Her draws open with clothes just jammed into them. Also useless. Her floor was clear of anything that could be used as a weapon.

Eyes darting around, body shaking, heart pumping as she continued to look around her room. Finally, her eyes settled onto her paper window which opened onto the balcony below. Yes, that's it. Before she could think it all through she ran to the window and jumped. As she fell she could hear her door slam open and the sound of a man screaming for her to stop.