Layla skidded to a halt, nearly crashing into Orion, her violet eyes widening. Their father, a tall, buff man with a nasty face that only a mother could really love, and angry eyes loomed over them. The rabbit in her hands suddenly didn't feel like a prize anymore. That's the effect their father had. He seemed to sap all the happiness out of people. She hated it. She hated him.

"Well, where have you two been?" he growled, glaring down at them with distaste. Nager oozed off of him, and Layla wanted nothing more than to shoot an arrow through his skull. Men like him didn't deserve to live.

"We were hunting," Layla said in a small, shaky voice and lifted the rabbit to show him. "We weren't out long because of the storm."

"Did I ask you?" her father snapped, raising a hand and Layla hated how she couldn't stop her body from flinching. "No, little girl, I didn't. I asked him." He turned her gaze to Orion, who glared at him.

"You heard her," Orion grit his teeth. "We were hunting and lost track of time. May we go inside, sir?"

"Fine, but don't get mud all over the floor, or I will not hesitate to discipline you," he grunted and left the two alone outside the barn. By discipline he meant punching their lights out. Neither wanted that.

"Are you okay?" Layla heard Orion ask her, said person standing in front of her with concern written all over his face.

"I'm fine," she said defeatedly. "Let's pray we got those letters." Shivering against the wind, Layla trudged inside the house, careful to avoid her father. She hated how he just had to raise a hand to make her scared. Men like him thrived oncontrol, and Layla vowed to neer let another man have such control over her. No, no one would ever be allowed to have control over her.

"Layla, dear," her mother, a kind swet woman with calming magenta eyes and curling blonde hair, stirred a vegetable stew in the kitchen. "Go get your brother."

"Yes, ma'am," Layla calmed down and brought her brother into the kitchen. Their father, thankfully, was still outside in the barn. "What is it, Mother?"

"Your letters came," she replied in a hushed tone, nervously looking out the window at the barn. "I already packed your things. You should leave now if you wish to make it."

"But, Ma, we can't..I can't leave you with him!" Orion spluttered. "It's not safe. He could hurt you."

"Your father wouldn't dare to hurt me, my little sunshine. You deserve better than this," she turned to cup Orion's face with her hands. "Do this for me."

"I...I can't.." he whispered. "I love you too much."

"Orion, this is our only chance. We can't mess this up!" Layla snapped, stamping her foot. "You need to get over this." Her eyes softened. "If we don't leave, this place will kill us. Please, come with me." She extended her hand.

Orion looked from his mother to the barn to Layla's hand. Between his mother's and Layla's pleading looks, Orion broke. Blinking back tears as his throat constricted, Orion whispered, "Okay. Okay, I'll go. I love you, Mom." He embraced his mother, and his mother embraced both twins.

"Your things are packed in the spare wagon. Take it to the Vale livery and you should be able to make it to the airships. Now, go." She ushered them out the back door in the kitchen and went back to her stew, a tear slipping from her eyes. "I love you."

The wind blew even harder as the twins rushed to the wagon, Orion running up to untie the horses while Layla climbed up onto the bench. Thunder cracked and the rain started beating down.

"Hurry!" Layla shouted over the wind.

"I am!" Orion yelled back, undoing the knot, running back, and jumping up onto the driving bench.

"Go! Go! Go!" Layla screamed, fear gripping her. Something inside of her screamed to run, and she didn't want to ignore it. "Damn it, Orion! Move!" She grabbed therreinsand flicked them, the horses whinnying.

"Drive. I got this," Orion nodded to her, his skin beginning to glow as he drew a fire dust filled arrow. He narrowed his eyes and nocked the arrow. No, he wouldn't shoot, but if their father tried to come after them, by Oum, he would shoot. Layla knew this.

The horses pulled the wagon, and the farm gew smaller and smaller the further they got away. Each step the horses took seemed to free a little more of Layla. She no longer felt prisoner to her own home. Now, she had the chance to do more, to be more. Orion dropped his defensive stance and relaxed, putting the arrow back.

"What now?" he asked, wiping the rain out of his eyes. "We're soaked, cold, hungry, and probably never going back. But, we have Beacon to look forward to. And maybe we will be on the same team."

"I'd like that," Layla softly smiled to Orion's surprise. "You and I being on the same team, I mean. We've been together for so long. I don't want to be separated. As much as I say you're an idiot, I still love you."

"Who are you and what have you done with Layla?" Orion joked, leaning into her. "But yeah, love ya too, sis."

"Don't call me sis," Layla wetly snapped, laughing even though a few tears streamed down her face. "We should be there in an hour, give or take."

"Yeah," Orion yawned, exhaustion hitting him like a bus. "We can sleep once we get there." Layla nodded, biting back a yawn before her eyes closed shut.

"Ma'am! Would you like help unloading?" Layla shook her head. Where was she? She couldn't have fallen asleep. She glanced over at Orion, who seemed just as disoriented. "Ma'am?" the guy standing at the livery asked again.

"Oh, yes, thank you," Layla forced a smile. "Where is the airship bay?" she asked, nudging her brother.

"Just down mainstreet. If you run you can make it. I assume you are headed to Beacon, right?" The man asked, warmly smiling at them. "I know Glynda, so if you want, I can have your luggage sent over while you catch your ship."

"I...that's too kind. Thank you," Layla said, blinking a few times. "Let me grab my stuff and we will be out of your hair."

She and Orion grabbed their essentials and Layla studied the man. He had blond hair and green eyes, stood tall and proper. He had a sophisticated feel to him, yet Layla couldn't help but feel unnerved. 'Men,' she thought.

"Thanks!" Orion beamed, slinging her backpack over his shoulder. "Come on, Layla!" He started running, Layla chasing him. The warm memories of home came hurtling back as Layla chased her brother. For a second she could imagine the rolling hills of home.

---

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Comments and votes are appreciated! I love hearing from you all!

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat