Harold could faintly smell smoke.
He woke with a start.
He pinched himself.
"Oh, no... please... no..."
He peered out of his window to see a land of flames before him, and then outside to the hallway to see a flash of bright orange and red.
He froze.
"Harry! Harry! Harold!"239Please respect copyright.PENANAqcavMJ0pQF
"Daddy..."
The 9-year-old awoke.239Please respect copyright.PENANACAC0LDYPcr
"Harry, we must get out of here. The palace is on fire."
The king held Harold's 3-year-old brother in his arms, who was still asleep and blissfully unaware of the chaos.239Please respect copyright.PENANA91EwvRczcS
Behind him back at the door was his mother, holding their youngest brother, at the age of 8 months, close to her.239Please respect copyright.PENANA80ANOyRNbY
"Stay close," The King said, holding out a free hand.
Harold took it and the family attempted to escape from the blazing building.239Please respect copyright.PENANAtYL9qR5wiK
Suddenly Harold couldn't feel his father any more.239Please respect copyright.PENANAuph09icpGx
Someone grabbed him and dragged him away.239Please respect copyright.PENANA3aKShG9n78
He cried out weakly.
And then Father was there, wrestling with the masked figure who had attempted to kidnap his son.239Please respect copyright.PENANATWnHTUDNYq
Harold was thrown to the ground. He tried to hold back tears.
His father picked him up gently and gathered him into his arms, carrying him out to safety.239Please respect copyright.PENANAHRi05ict4a
"No..."
I need to get them out. I need to get my brothers out.239Please respect copyright.PENANArw4beBn2Et