Ania was coughing and tears were running down her eyes. The residents were lucky for the smoke, it also helped conceal their movements. Other than the smoke concealing them, the residents also had the advantage of knowing the house the ins and outs. They had after all lived here for 100 years or so.
After seeing Ania fall to the ground Emmeline followed suit and then Gregory and Matthew, they were sticking to the corners and out of the way, again thankful for the smoke even if it was burning their eyes, nose, and throat. Ania and Matthew were closer to the kitchen entrance and headed that way by instinct. Emmeline and Gregory were closer to the hall and moved along the edges of the room in that direction. Emmeline was disappointed that Matthew had not come the same way as her, they all had seconds to make their decisions and they all went with what was closer and easier.
Matthew and Ania headed towards the kitchen sticking close to the walls. He knew Emmeline hadn't washed up yet from their meal. Which meant he also knew there were a couple of knives on the island. Matthew reached blindly up, hoping that he wasn't going to make too much noise, he didn't want them to find him and he definitely didn't want them to find Ania. Matthew ducked back down when he noticed a red light scanning the room. He was sure they could hear his heart with how loud it was thumping in his chest. When the red light from the gun disappeared he reached his hand back up. His first try he found the bread knife. He thanked his lucky stars that nothing had been put away yet. He lightly tapped his hand flat on the counter and after a couple of misses his hand finally landed on a small paring knife. Weapons would definitely be a must and be used if necessary.
Matthew pulled slightly on Ania's arm giving her the motion to move forward. Ania shook her head and motioned behind a wooden tub. Matthew was trying to understand what she was referring to but he just followed her lead. She quickly and quietly moved a wooden tub indicating a small opening they would be able to crawl through. He had no idea this was here! He could hug her to death for pointing this out. If he didn't know about it, the attackers definitely wouldn't know about it.
They crawled within the crawlspace and the air was clearer and they could see and breath more easily. Matthew tugged on Ania's foot to get her attention and have her pause for a moment. He held up the two knives for Ania to choose. She looked at him and cocked her brow. She reached for the much larger and serrated bread knife. Her facial expressions saying 'please, like that is even a choice! Of course I want the one that can do serious damage!' Matthew smile briefly and he continued to follow her through the tunnel. He really wanted to know what it was, but he wasn't about to stop and ask Ania. Not in the middle of it when they were surrounded by people that either wanted to kidnap or kill them. Those were some seriously armed men. Armed to the teeth!
He was surprised when they ended up in the cellar. He didn't know there had even been a decline? He shrugged his shoulders. They went further in the house, but it was unlikely there would be any of the men down here, right? Ania paused looking to and fro before she hopped down quietly on some wooden boxes and a very old suitcase. Matthew followed behind attempting to be as quiet as Ania. When the box creaked he stopped. Frozen his ears perking up to see if he heard any sounds such as boots coming down the wooden steps, when he didn't he let out a sigh of relief. They crept to the opposite side to the stairs that lead out the house. They were so close.
But then they weren't. They opened the door to the outside, to their freedom. When Mathew opened the door and on the other side was a man dressed all in black. When Ania noticed she wanted to scream out but she knew better than to do that. The man reached for Matthew who made a quick dip and maneuvered out of the way. He could see the forest. They were almost out!
He took a couple steps but Ania wasn't with him. When he ducked and maneuvered, the man went for the easier target. Ania. Matthew grabbed his parring knife and ran quickly to the man, stabbing him multiple times in the back. He dropped Ania.
"RUN!" He shouted at her.
She didn't have to be told twice. She quickly turned around when she saw Matthew drop the knife and leave the man turning to run with her. Ania made it to the forest ducking in the foliage when she turned back, Matthew wasn't there...
***Happening simultaneously***
With Emmeline and Gregory being close to the hall entry way, they headed out that way hugging the walls. Gregory couldn't see anyone and they wouldn't have the smoke and confusion for long so they had to act quickly. Emmeline froze when she saw a couple of stomping black boots. Her breathing became quick and shallow giving her already woozy head an even lighter feeling.
Emmeline and Gregory were crouched out in the main hall waiting for their chance to cross and head towards the library. Just outside the large windows were overgrown bushes and they would provide cover to escape. Gregory reached out to Emmeline, using hand signals he prayed she would understand. She must have understood enough, because she didn't move. He nearly bumped into the hall table and it could have made a big noise with the silver candlesticks and glass bowling falling to the ground.
Gregory let out a sigh glad nothing crashed to the floor which would have alerted the men to their location. SILVER CANDLESTICKS! He screamed in his mind, those would definitely pack a wallop. He kept one for himself and handed the other one to Emmeline. She nodded her head that he could vaguely see.
He could see her, barely but he could still see her! That means they would be able to be seen soon. They had to act now or never. Gregory stood up running towards the window in the library. They crossed without incident.
As Gregory was opening the window, Emmeline stood watch. Before Gregory could turn around and usher Emmeline out the window and to safety, a military man entered the room. Emmeline charged with her candlestick and hit his gun away and then quickly landed the candlestick on his skull. But, he had called out and three more men entered the room, stepping over their unconscious comrade.
"Its over." The men sneered.
Emmeline began to panic, it couldn't be over. Not now and not like this. She thought of Matthew and she needed to get to him. A flash of green light burst off her body knocking the three men that meant them harm across the room.
They quickly exited the window running into the night.
Emmeline and Gregory were panting wildly by the time they made it to the cemetery. She was desperately hoping that Matthew and Ania would do the same. When the small girl poked her head out behind the large vault. She smiled. They made it. Emmeline looked around for Matthew, where was he hiding? Emmeline turned her head back around to Ania. Her heart hit the floor when she noticed her face. Ania shook her head and had tears streaming down her face.
"Emmy, I'm sorry. He saved me and he was taken instead. I'm so sorry Emmy." Ania ran up to her and held her tight, "Sorry."
Emmeline patted her on her back. Only minutes ago had she just been reunited with her Matthew and she already lost him.