Every step forward led them closer to refuge. It was what Diana had to keep telling herself as she led them through the streets, already completely torn apart from the beasts. The smell was nauseating, and Diana fought to keep the bile from rising up her throat, warm and thin. She fought to keep her eyes ahead and to not pay attention to anything that might distract her from leading them to safety. She couldn’t hear what was whispered to Henry, but she saw the man hand her son the kerchief to cover his face, and momentarily she felt relieved that they’d been found by him. The terror of potentially not finding her son had overridden any protective measures she might have employed otherwise.

Her relief only lasted a few seconds as she looked back at them though. Behind them was a large, scaly mass that hurtled towards them with frightening speed. Its jewel-like eyes glittered maliciously as it opened its jaws. “WILL!” The scream tore from her before she realized what she’d said, and she immediately threw up a shield behind them only seconds before a wall of flames sought to engulf them. She saw plenty of others do the same as they ran for cover. In her panic, Diana’s foot found something (Merlin she didn’t want to know what it was) and she felt herself thrown backwards.

What began as a quick burning sensation easily morphed into an agonizing pain as Diana realized the gate had been heated from within by the dragon’s flames. A dizzying determination overcame her and she winced as she pulled away from the gate; nauseating sickness followed as she felt resistance at first before finally tearing herself away and stumbling forwards into a strong grip.