• اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَّآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَہٗ لَاشَرِيْكَ لَہٗ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُولُہٗ •
"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
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"CASSIA!" May yells the kitchen. "Your father has been calling you, get down here!" Dragging my body out of bed and willing my legs to hold my ground, I make my way downstairs. My dreams have always felt so real it hurts. "Get the newspaper from town" Nathan shouts angrily. "But I haven't had breakfast yet." "You're useless as you are alive" pushes May. "Ouch." I pretend the words don't hurt because anyone who thinks the pen is mightier than the sword has not been stabbed by both. And I haven't been stabbed by a sword. I put on my leather pink ankle boots along with my dress which doesn't contain any special lavishes or garments due to the War of Religion. It has been going on for seven years, it's currently the year 2177 and Papa is enthralled by it.
I make my way to the post, passing multiple bakeries and bookstores. The post lies near the shore where ships dock, the ships belong to the Royal Navy. Queen Elizabeth the first. "Good morning Mr. Lawrence" gleams Cassia. "Why good morning missy, I see you're doing well" laughs Mr. Lawrence. "How is your Papa doing." "Very well, he wishes to stay updated on current events concerning the French Protestants and Catholics." "Ah yes. The struggle between who want freedom to practice their religion and those who see themselves the true defender of their faith" frowns Mr. Lawrence passing her the newspaper. "Thank you Mr. Lawrence" says Cassia tightly. "You've never been that good at hiding your feelings. Is something troubling you dear?" A light awkward laugh escapes Cassia but she stays silent. Not a word escapes her mouth. A tear falls down her yellow, sick complexion. A tear holds a thousand feelings, too strong to be described and conveyed in words, and she wasn't going to allow someone to see through her. She wouldn't. She couldn't.
Mr. Lawrence has long known her family, how hostile they can become. Despite him being in his 80's he can vividly recall walking past Alvorado Drive, the Chiswell household, watching as Cassia kicks and screams against her parents. The accusations put up towards a 10-year-old girl. Always neglected. He could see pain painted in her eyes. So much pain for someone so young. "Miss Cassia I think, one day, you'll have more family then you'll know what to do with" smiles Mr. Lawrence to 13-year-old Cassia. She sniffs and looks up, "Thank you Mr. Lawrence" making her way back to her house. The Chiswell house.