The three of us were jostled about by the crowd as we made it over to our usual spot by the stage. As always, the square was packed to the brim. We passed a young girl, who was maybe six or seven, crying because she had been separated from her family. My heart went out for her; I knew firsthand that being lost in the square at that age was frightening. I broke away from my family and told the two of them to go on, while I went up to the girl. 

"Hi, I'm Savannah, but you can call me Van. What's your name?" I asked her. 

"Ruby" She said between sobs "I'm lost. Please help me!" 

"Of course" I took her hand and led her back to the entrance of the square. If her parents were smart, they would come back and wait for her here. 

"Mommy!" Ruby shouted suddenly. She sprinted away into the arms of a woman, who I assumed was her mother. Well, my work here is done I guess. I turned around and went to meet up with Lilac and my mother. 

This place was always so chaotic. As I walked, vendors were shouting out their prices, trying to sell their merchandise. I always found that to be a bit morbid. But I guess some people like to have a box of popcorn while they watch traitors be publically murdered. To each their own. 

I caught up with my family, at our spot. I looked about, searching for Rian. I turned to Lilac."Do you see Rian? I can't find him" I stood on my toes while I looked around. "This is where we always stand during the Demonstration. He should know that." 

Lilac also started looking about. "No, I don't see him either. He knows that this is mandatory right? If he's caught, he could be imprisoned or something!" 

Where are you, Rian? Where could you possibly be. A loud fanfare interrupted my thoughts. The royal family has arrived, but Rian was still nowhere in sight. I hoped that he was okay. Everyone turned towards the stage in the middle of the square. King Ashton and his son, Rolland stepped on. Queen Tatiana was nowhere in sight. Rumor has it that she is going insane these days. 

The crowd burst into cheers for the king and prince. They both took a bow. King Ashton raised a hand to call for silence. All at once, the crowd stopped its murmuring. The king began to speak. "Citizens of Ostbourne, I thank you for joining me on this occasion. As you all know, tomorrow is Solstice, a time for rejoice and merriment. However, I stand before you with a heavy heart. We have found more spies, more rebels, more traitors belonging to the rebel group calling themselves the Uprising. These traitors are murderers, trying to take the crown for themselves and must be punished accordingly for their crimes. So I bring before you, two of these people in the hopes of dissuading anyone who thinks that this will be tolerated in Ostbourne." 

As he finished speaking, four of his guards entered the square, hauling the prisoners. The crowd parted to let them pass. As they passed us, I caught a familiar glimpse of light brown hair on one of the prisoners. The prisoner turned to me and his hazel eyes caught on mine. I gasped as I recognized him. Even bloodied and bruised, I still recognized Rian Deosa.