THE CHASE OF STARDUST

The cogent sound of the grinder and the sharp smell of the spicy sauce wafted across the kitchen, with Nana cutting the cherry tomatoes which I hated for her authentic Italian pasta.

Dangling my feet down the kitchen counter, I turned another page of the magazine where faces of handsome models were portrayed. This was the best a twelve years old could do to pass her boring time.

Well, they were… what the girls in my class call them again? Yes, hot!

"What're you ogling at those half naked men, girl?" Nana asked, glancing at me from the corner of her aged eyes.

"I'm not ogling! Just looking. And why not? They're handsome, and… hot!"

Her nose scrunched hearing this. "Good God! Where did you learn that word, young lady? And those men," she said, taking the magazine from my hand, "there is nothing beautiful about them. They look like some hairless chicken!"

A frown marred my forehead. "What's wrong with that?"

She sighed in exaggeration. "Always remember one thing. It will help you when you come of age." Dropping the magazine, she leaned in, her eyes serious. "Never trust a man who doesn't have hair on their chest."

Now it was my turn to scrunch my nose.

"Mother! How many times do I have to tell you not to say those absurd things to her? She is too young for that." Nana rolled her eyes going back to her sauce as Mom strolled in, glaring at the old woman.

"Yeah, too young that she finds those men hot," mumbled Nana sarcastically, stirring her pasta.

Ignoring her, Mom turned to me and cupped my face. "Sweetheart, don't listen to her. She was just blabbering," Mom said, causing Nana to huff at her daughter's displeasing remark. "It doesn't matter if the man has hair on his chest or not, handsome or not, rich or poor. What matters is, if he is a good man, if he loves you with his whole heart. And when you will find someone like that, then think that he is the prince your fairy godmother has sent for you."

"And when will I find my prince, Mom?" My wide curious eyes stared at her hazel ones.

She smiled, looking down at me. "Soon, baby. You will find him soon."

Suddenly, her beaming face started to get blurry. I rubbed my eyes, but her sight only got hazier. Her distant voice drifted to my ear, but I couldn't seem to respond as black spots spread across my vision. And then everything was dark.

Out in the darkness, a whisper echoed like a gust of wind somewhere from an uncouth distance, drawing me towards it…

And then the whisper turned louder and louder, slowly pulling me from a profound darkness towards the rays of bright light that danced across my closed eyelids, an urgent voice reached my ears along with a jerk on my entire upper half.

I almost thought an earthquake was taking a troll around the house, until her sweet yet alarmed voice kicked my brain to consciousness.

"Sofia! Sofia! Honey, wake up!"

"Hmm…" A raspy groan came out of my throat.

Squinting in the shadowed room, I saw her figure hovering over me. Small beams of sunlight were coming through the gap of the closed curtains. Rubbing my still heavy eyelids, I let out a yawn.

And then my gaze concentrated on her face which was paler than usual, as her alarmed hazel eyes met my groggy ones. Panic was latched onto her soft features.

"Come on! Get up! We need to leave, hurry!"

A frown formed between my brows. "Mom, what's wrong? Why're you so riled…"

And then I heard it.

The faint noises coming from outside. The noises that made the hair of the back of my neck stand up. Chilled goosebumps crawled up my skin, my heart started to race beneath my chest..

"M-mom, what's happening?" my voice shook as I spoke.

"We're under attack!" Her voice quivered, tears of fright brimmed her vision; her cold dainty hands trembling as she urged me to get down from the bed. "T-they attacked us out of nowhere. They're trying to invade the house and it's not long till they do it. Hurry up! We need to leave!"

Oh God! Not again!

My mouth suddenly went dry. Faint sounds of gunfire made my breath speed up.

Why didn't I hear those earlier?

Oh yeah, semi soundproof doors!

Scrambling out of the bed, I grasped her hand in mine. "Let's go to Dad's study! Where is everyone else?"

"I-I think everyone is already there. I came to wake you up as soon as I heard them."

"Wait!" I stopped, making her look at me in confusion. Turning around, I ran to my side table and opened the first drawer. With hesitancy, I grabbed the cold material I never used in my hand.

It was the gun Max gave me for times like these.

"Let's go!" Grabbing her hand again, we ran towards the door.

And before we could reach it, it flew open, making my heart stop in my chest along our steps. My fingers subconsciously curled tight around the gun.

"Sofia? Mom?"

We sighed in relief when we saw the intruder.

"God, Alex! You scared the hell out of us!" I placed a hand on my chest to calm my frantic heart.

His rigid form stood at the doorway with his identical green urgent eyes set on us. Beads of sweat adorned his forehead where some strands of his hair were scattered across. His face was as white as a sheet matching mom's as he casted an apology in our way, his breathing ragged.

"Sofia! Mom! Come on, we need to hurry! Everyone is waiting for us," he said, ushering us down the corridor to Dad's study.

Deafening sounds of gunshots and agonized outcries now reached our ears causing Mom to gasp. The smell of gunpowder and smoke was heavy in the air, covering the ambience in an ominous veil while we approached our safe den.

My heart pounded down my chest, shivers of dread ran down my spine.

They're into the house!

"Don't worry, they still couldn't invade this wing of the house. Our men are stopping them. We just need to reach Dad's study, and then we will be fine." Alex's lips stretched in a feeble smile which did a very little to assure us.

We all knew better. But still, I reciprocated the gesture with a small nod of mine not letting my inner turmoil show on my face.

Stay strong, Sofia! You've got this! At least do it for your Mom.

I glanced at her, who was now clutching my arm tightly. I didn't know whom she was afraid more for. For her? Or for me?

Another loud noise rang somewhere around the corner urging me to cover my ears, vivid commotion rose in the distance like a wildfire.

Oh shit! They are close!

After reaching Dad's study, Alex closed the door behind us along with the deafening sounds of gun firings.

Rushing towards us, Dad pulled us in his warm hug. "Are you guys alright?" he queried, glancing at me and Mom.

"Yes, Dad. We're fine, don't worry!"

He gave me a tight nod, a crease formed on his already wrinkled forehead. "I don't know how this happened. They shouldn't have known about this place." A muscle of his jaw ticked as he glanced at the closed door. "Anyway, you don't have to worry about anything. We're getting out of here safely, alright? Nothing will happen to us."

"They'll pay for it soon," Max, my other brother, said beside Dad. His stance was calm, but the tight jaw and the darkness of his eyes told otherwise. "But now, we need to move. They're not far away. Guards!" He motioned the two bulky men standing behind him, set with arms.

Nodding their heads, they walked towards the dark wooden cupboard that stood behind the huge desk. It seemed to weigh like a ragdoll the way they moved the old almirah easily.