2. Waterfall on Fire

The plan was perfect.

For days, the children had whispered in the dark, strategizing every move, knowing that failure meant death.

Their prison—a crumbling, ancient manor perched on the border of the enemy kingdom—was both their cage and their weapon.

If they could burn it down, the flames would act as a beacon, alerting their kingdom’s soldiers who were stationed nearby, always watching the border.

They had chosen the cable bridge as their target, the old wooden structure stretching precariously over a raging waterfall that marked the boundary between lands.

Once set ablaze, the inferno would be impossible to ignore.

Now, the fire had spread, consuming the building, thick smoke choking the night sky.

'It worked!'

The once-grand manor groaned as its foundations weakened, and the children knew—they had to run.

The exit was as dangerous as their imprisonment.

The only path out was through a shattered doorway leading to a fallen tree trunk that stretched across the ravine.

Below, the roaring waterfall drowned out every scream.

The escape route was treacherous, but it was their only chance.

Vascor, the crown prince, went first, his sharp eyes scanning the tree, ensuring it could hold weight.

One by one, the noble children followed, some trembling, some crying, but all moving forward, knowing there was no turning back.

Elliot stood at the doorway.

It was his turn.

His brother, Cassian, was behind him—the last one.

Their plan had been structured carefully: Vascor, the strongest and smartest, would lead, while Cassian, the group's protector, would guard the rear.

If they got separated, at least both halves of the group would have someone to guide them.

But then—

A sound.

A cry.

Elliot’s head snapped toward the source.

In the corner of the burning room, Liam, the youngest prince, was trapped—his leg pinned beneath a collapsed wooden beam.

He hadn’t called for help before.

Maybe fear had stolen his voice, or maybe he had simply believed no one would come.

Now, his terrified eyes locked onto Elliot’s.

Cassian’s body tensed beside him.

Elliot knew exactly what was about to happen.

If he crossed first, Cassian would be forced to make a choice—ignore Liam and escape, or risk his own life to save him.

Elliot loved Cassian too much to make him chose a way out of this situation.

And so, he chose for him.

With a swift motion, Elliot grabbed Cassian by the collar and yanked him forward.

Cassian gasped in shock as Elliot spun them around, pushing his older brother onto the tree trunk while stepping back into the flames.

Cassian's foot slipped.

Elliot’s heart pounded—but just as he expected, Cassian’s survival instincts kicked in.

His brother’s strong hands latched onto the bark, preventing his fall.

He would take three seconds to pull himself up—three seconds was all Elliot needed.

Turning sharply, Elliot slammed the doors shut.

'I need to lock it, or Cassian will waste his time in coming here again.'

Please Cassian...

...run.

With shaking hands, he grabbed a fallen iron rod and jammed it through the handles, barring them.

On the other side, Cassian’s panicked fists pounded against the wood.

"ELLIOT! OPEN THE DOOR!"

Elliot didn't respond. He couldn't.

The tree was breaking.

The flames had weakened its structure, and a deep, ominous crack echoed through the night.

The children on the other side screamed for Cassian to run.

He had no choice.

Cassian’s breath hitched. His body was trembling—this wasn’t right.

He was supposed to be protecting Elliot. He was supposed to be the one shielding him from danger.

So why did they switch the roles?

But he ran.

Because if he didn't, Elliot's sacrifice would be for nothing.

As Cassian stumbled onto solid ground, Vascor grabbed him.

The crown prince's hands were steady, but his face was pale.

"Where's Elliot?"

Cassian could barely breathe.

...

The realization struck the other children like a dagger. Their eyes darted toward the flaming wreckage, toward the locked door.

The tree trunk gave one last groan—and then, it collapsed.

The massive log tumbled into the waterfall, breaking apart on the jagged rocks below.

The only escape route—gone.

And with it, the last hope of saving Elliot and Liam.

The building's structure gave way, and with a thunderous crash, the burning manor collapsed.

A wave of heat and dust burst outward, knocking some children off their feet.

Screams filled the air.

The loudest one from Vascor.

Cassian stared at the flames, his mind shattering, his breath coming in sharp gasps.

He had run.

He had left his brother inside.

He had failed to protect him.

Vascor’s hands tightened into fists.

The boy who had once been Elliot’s quiet protector, the one who adored him, now stood frozen in horror.

The children cried.

Because Elliot and Liam were dead.

...Or so they thought.

_____