The man raised his sword, and Little Darius froze where he stood. His tiny legs wouldn't move. His body felt like stone.
But before the blade could reach him, his mother hands still bound behind her threw herself forward.
Slash!
The steel struck her instead.
"...M-Mom…?" Darius's eyes widened, the world spinning around him. He saw her body tremble, then slowly fall onto the dirt.
His ears rang. Every sound was drowned out, as though the world had been muffled. The only thing he could hear was the heavy, thunderous thump-thump-thump of his own heartbeat. His chest tightened, breaths sharp and shallow.
The man's laughter in front o him, but it was faint like whispers carried away by the wind.
"Mom…?" His knees gave out, and he crawled toward her. His little hands shook as he grabbed her face, lifting it gently. Warm blood smeared across his fingers.
Her eyes, half-open.
"No… no, no…" Darius whispered, Her skin was already growing cold.
