User blog:BTR180/Spazer/Kikimora

[Original Promt]

“Gerald is crazy.”

“He’s insane!”

“Why did he want to wait this long to leave!”

There is a loud clatter followed by the eerie silence of the Thirteenrain. Wilber knows better than to speak of leaving out loud. There’s a revolt going on right now. Workers riot in the streets clashing with police and soldiers. The fighting was going to happen for some time already, the signs were everywhere yet he was hoping that he would be far from the city by the time it happened. He wanted to use Gerald’s carriage to get out but he didn’t believe him and now… now the worst has come to fruition. There’s a battle about to occur and a side must be picked or leave lest they be thrown into the flames of revolution.

Wilber spins around to the sound behind him. He’s on edge due to the violence. On both sides men were being conscripted to fight a war for the fate of the status quo. A battle for the fate of Polmeon. A battle that he did not want to be a part of. Wilber’s eyes dart back and forth from alley to alley as the pitter patter of the rain drowns out all sound. He starts to sneak forward until a cat jumps out of the alley as it’s being chased by a urchin’s dog.

“Fweeew! I was worried there for a second!” -Hahhh- “I should hurry up… Don’t want to get left behind right now especially when things are about to hit the proverbial fan.” Wilbur promptly turns around and hurries along the rain pattering against his trench coat and hat.

As he goes along the alley Wilbur is forced to sneak past several passing patrols of soldiers until he reaches Gerald’s home, the packed carriage fully loaded save for the human cargo. Wilbur goes about the carriage inspecting it closely judging Gerald's priorities. "The madman packed everything save the kitchen sink.

- clack-

"And I intend to keep it packed stranger! Now turn around slowly before this pistol becomes both ends of the conversation!" Wilbur instinctively throws his hands in the air and slowly turns around to face his close friend. He knows that Gerald is on edge but he has a family and a fortune to protect and a man pushed to the edge will be willing to do anything for those he loves.

"G-gerald! It's me! Wilbur! Don't shoot! For the love of all that's holy don't shoot!" Wilbur slowly removes his hat and coat to give his aristocrat friend a better glimpse at his familiar build.

"By George I almost killed you man!" Wilbur throws his soggy hat at Gerald interrupting his apology. "Are you daft! You can't go about pointing firearms at people! I know that-"

"There's a rebellion going on Wilbur! I'm not going to put my family's lives at stake just to be courteous!"

Wilbur looks past Gerald and sees the rest of the Ermillion family close behind.

Rolland: Ten years old and the only son of Gerald and Vertie.

Vertie: Twenty eight years and the Wife of Roland and the daughter of the provincial governor.

Imogene: Thirteen daughter of Gerald and Prudence and promises spouse of Wilbur.

"Why hard you packed so many belongings! There's hardly any of you inside!"

Gerald snaps back at Wilbur not wanting to be questioned by someone of lower status. "Listen here chap! We have a status to maintain and if we wish to pack our most precious belongings then so be it! Now the only thing that matters here is whether or not you have a problem with it!"

"Gerald darling I don't believe it's wise to-"

"Silence Vertie! I don't want you to get involved in this!"

"But dar-"

Gerald glares at his wife and she stays silent but Imogene would not take this transgression lightly. She ranted on about how her father not being fair to her future husband but he paid her no mind. This was an adult conversation and he was above listening to those beneath him.

"Gerald I know your on edge but I'm only looking out for you and your family. Having this much baggage makes us a target and will tire the horses a lot quicker. If you wish to continue then so be it but just remember that we need each other to leave this forsaken place and this isn't the time to start tearing each other apart."

Gerald let's put a deep sigh. He knows that Wilbur is right but his pride wouldn't let him show it. "Alright... Everybody get in. The sooner we get moving the better. Take this Wilbur, I'm sure you know how to use it. Now get on the back we need you to be able to get off at a moment's notice if things go south. Your a better shot than me so make it count."

Wilbur nods as he's handed the revolver and soon takes his position on the rear bench.

The rain never lets up on their trip through the streets and cobble roads. The group passes several patrols of guards and soldiers but none stop them for long as they were following the path many other nobles took as they fled. But that wasn't the case for long because the deeper they got into town the worse it got and soon gunfire could be heard in the streets.

"Halt in the name of the king!"

Gerald gets down from the reigns and calls back to Wilbur. "This won't take long! We'll be free in no time!"

Wilbur nods as he goes back to his seat in the back when something catches his eye. Two kikimoras lay in the street. One was an adult, laying motionless on the ground while the other was a child begging for help. She ran up to Wilbur years in her eyes and desperation in her heart.

"Please! Mister help my sister! She's really sick and I can't take her to the doctor! I I don't want to loose her!"

Wilbur looks don at her with pity. He has seen this many times before and thi-

BANG BANG BANG!

Multiple waves of gunfire could be heard followed by the roaring of angry rioters. It was happening. The end of the status quo. The soldier who stopped Gerald waves him on and rushes to help his comrades.

"WILBUR WE'RE LEAVING!"

As Gerald makes a mad dash to the carriage Wilbur panics. He grabs the small child and flings her on his shoulder as the carriage starts to race away. He struggles to maintain his grip on the wagon with the squirming and kicking of the kikimora but he manages to hold on.

What was he doing? Why did he separate this family? Was he doing the right thing? The older one was sick and in this time no one would have helped her. No, he was justified in his actions. Had he left her there she would have surely died in the crossfire.

After a few minutes the kikimora stops struggling and resigns to a whimper. Everything they all knew was over and now only uncertainty lay in their path.