Veligrad, Republic of Karovia

  Spring, 1912

  Veligrad had always been loud. Factories roared from morning until night, street vendors shouted in crowded markets, and horse carts rattled across the stone roads. Children ran through the streets while people hurried between shops and apartments. It was the kind of noise people stopped noticing after living there long enough.

  But on the morning the war arrived, the city became quiet first.

  The silence lasted only a few seconds before the first explosion shattered it.

  Windows broke across the street as a deep thunder rolled through the buildings. Birds burst into the sky and people stopped in the middle of the road, staring at the rising smoke in confusion. For a moment no one moved.

  Then another explosion followed, louder than the first.

  The ground trembled beneath the city, and suddenly the streets filled with shouting. People began running in every direction while smoke climbed into the sky. Somewhere far away a building collapsed with a heavy crash.

  Inside a small apartment on Karmin Street, the Markovic family sat around their dinner table.

  A pot of soup rested in the center as Viktor Markovic lifted his spoon. Before he could take a bite, the windows rattled violently and the table shook beneath their hands.

  Nine-year-old Misha looked up from his bowl.

  “Was that thunder?”

  Elena didn’t answer. She was staring toward the window.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Another distant blast echoed through the city.

  Viktor slowly stood and walked to the glass. Outside, dark smoke was rising over the rooftops of Veligrad.

  He watched the skyline for a long moment before speaking.

  “The war has reached the city.”

  For a moment no one moved.

  Another explosion shook the building, much closer this time. Somewhere down the street a horse screamed in panic, its hooves striking wildly against the stone road.

  Misha pushed his bowl away.

  “Are the soldiers coming here?”

  Viktor didn’t answer right away. His eyes were still fixed on the smoke outside.

  “No one knows,” he finally said.

  Down below, people were beginning to flood into the streets. Some ran carrying bags or suitcases. Others shouted to neighbors from open windows. A horse cart rushed past, its driver whipping the reins as if he could outrun the sound of the explosions behind him.

  Another distant boom rolled across the skyline.

  Anya felt the vibration through the floorboards beneath her feet.

  She had heard adults talk about war before. It was always something far away, something happening in other places to other people.

  But the smoke outside the window didn’t look far away.

  Elena slowly stood from the table.

  “We should pack some things,” she said quietly.

  Viktor turned from the window.

  “Not yet,” he said.

  Outside, the smoke continued to spread across the sky.

  And for the first time since they had moved to Veligrad, the city no longer felt like home.