Story Writing Debate

Everything became awkwardly silent. All eyes were on me. Suddenly, the golden guards rampaged through the crowd, making their way toward me. All of the silence from the moment before instantly turned to chaos. The citizens parted to make way for the soldiers, and I ran as fast as I could. How did I get myself into this? If only I had stayed home that one day... People shouted and shrieked as the guards made their way through. Many cowered in fear, and others encouraged me to run while I could. "Up there!" said one man, pointing to a castle window not too high to climb. "You are young. Climb the tree next to the window, and hop in. Quickly! Before it's too late!" I saw Charlotte being dragged away into the golden mansion. I felt the overwhelming urge to try and save her. But then I realized that I would be completely powerless against the guards, and it would be best if I ran. I followed the man's instructions. Sprinting, I headed toward the tree, guards on my tail. They were faster, stronger. But I was more agile. The soldiers advanced, and I hoped that I would make it, before they caught me. Out of breath, I continued to run, as if my life depended on it. The guards were just feet away... When all seemed lost, I reached the tree, and hopped onto the first branch. Reluctantly, I began to climb. The guards stood at the base of the tree, one of them using his sword to try to catch me, or bring me down. Another punched him on the shoulder. "Keep him alive, you idiot! We'll all get punished if you bring back a bleeding recruit!" Recruit? "Fine," the other replied. As I made my way up the tree, he began to climb as well. Luckily, he didn't get too far before he collapsed under his own weight. "This is pointless," said another guard. "Just let him get through, and he'll probably meander around the castle. He won't go unnoticed for long. Someone will see him." He shrugged. "Just a kid." The others agreed, and left. What did he mean by recruit? Tired, I sluggishly hopped into the room. I looked around. It was a bedroom far from fabulous. The damp smell of old milk and the musty atmosphere made me woozy. The chambers of a servant, I thought. It seemed fairly empty: a bed on the side, a small wardrobe, and a barrel that served as a table. I was panting. That was the most running I had ever done in my life. They're looking for me, I thought. I made my way into the empty wardrobe, which I easily fit into. I pulled out the pink device, and turned it on. "Hello?" "Charlotte! Is that you? Tell me you're alright. Please. Speak to me." "I'm not Charlotte. It's me, Kyle." "Kyle. How's Charlotte?" Oh, gosh. How would I explain this? "She... ran away with me. The night she disappeared. She said she wanted me to come with her, to defeat the Authority." A gasp on the other line. "And... some guards got her. I followed her, and now we're both in the Authority's castle. I'm hiding, and they have Charlotte..." Everything that happened over the past few days came back to me. I was more lost than ever before. "What do I do??" I begged. I couldn't hold my emotions back anymore. I started to cry. The same must have happened for Charlotte's papa. He started to choke up, too. "I let this happen," he said. "I'm the one who told our city to surrender. We should've fought back." He spoke between sobs. "I've lost my family. My wife and only child are gone. And now, I have nothing to lose." A pause. "Kyle, I need to set things right." Crackling in the small walkie talkie. Charlotte's papa was gone. All of my guilt suddenly came back at me. Why was I so stupid? If I had just stayed at home, Charlotte would have never run away, and none of this would've happened. I thought of mama, and papa, and my sister Lucy. How are they feeling right now? Worried? Scared? Ashamed of me? Why did I let this happen? I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Why... I dreamt of many things as I slept in the little wardrobe. I saw my family, sitting outside our house, welcoming me home. "We missed you, sunshine," said mama as she kissed me on the head. "Mama," I said, "you know I'm too old for kisses." "I remember," she smiled. She kissed me again. "But I'll do it anyway." And, after all I'd been through, we all engaged in a group hug. "We'll always love you, Kyle," said mama. "Never forget that." My dream began to change. Charlotte's papa stood on a podium, making a speech to the people of the city. "The Authority has tortured us enough! He has taken our friends, stolen our spouses, and captured our children. But now," he said, "is our time for revenge." The crowd cheered. "But we are not alone in the Authority's cruel reign. Nearby towns, like Birchwood and Lambridge, are experiencing the same horror as well. We need an alliance; a stronger force. We need as many allies as we can manage. We will create an army to defeat the Authority, bringing freedom and peace to our people!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I woke up, sweating. I took a moment to realize where I was. Of course. I'm in the castle. My stomach roared. I pulled out some dried fruit and bread from the pack Charlotte's papa gave me, and began to eat. Mouth parched, I gulped down some of the water as well. Knowing I would need it for later, I stuffed the unfinished provisions into the pack, along with the extra clothes and other packaged snacks. I couldn't go outside. They would find me. They'd be looking. I knew I couldn't stay in the wardrobe forever, but this would be the safest thing to do for now... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I awakened to a banging on the door, and the sounds of someone struggling. How long was I out? The door burst open. A young female voice screeched, "Stop! Stop! What are you doing? You said I was done for now!" "For now, but not forever. These are your chambers. Stay here until we call on you again." "Wait! Where are you going? You can't just leave me here!" The door locked. She pounded on the door. "No!" No answer. "No!" She continued to bang on the door helplessly. "No, stop it!" She eventually gave up. Then she kicked the door one more time for good measure. "Meanies. Making me work all the time only to put me in a stinky room." She was obviously talking to herself. I cracked open the door of the wardrobe to see who it was. My heart stopped. You're kidding, right? It couldnt be... "Charlotte?"