I was only seven. When they came. Smoke. Fear. Blood. Like birds from the sky, they flew away leaving the city in ruin and taking my parents. They left the city burning up, the deadly fumes killing many at a time. I have remembered that day ever since, ever since I was abandoned.

I sat hunched over in a dark alleyway, grasping my teddy bear. Tears streamed down my face. Until someone touched my shoulder. A young man, dressed in raven black approached me. I wiped my tears on my sleeve. All I can remember after that are short bursts, he took me into his company tunnels. I was relieved to be leaving the raging fire.