Trust

It was 1919 and three-year old Estela was in her house, reading a picture book about a girl and a friendly dragon who were best friends.

'Estela?'

'Yes Padrè?'

'Could you come here please?' Young Estela stood up and held the book tightly as she walked towards her father's office, she saw a lot of men in the office but then Estela saw Madrè and Padrè strapped to two office chairs.

'What's happening?' She asked in a confused tone with a hint of concern.

'Nothing dear.' Madrè replied but Estela didn't see her tear-stained cheeks. 'But this man would like to see you.' She nodded towards one of the men standing next to her, he walked over to Estela and kneeled down in front of her. She held her book tighter with fear.

'Hello little one.' He greeted gently with a friendly smile, he moved his hand towards Estela for a hand shake, she hesitantly shook it.

'Hello.' Estela mumbled, he could clearly see her fear.

'It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to be your friend.' He cooed.

'Don't you think I'm...a freak? Just like everyone says I am.' He put on a fake hurt expression and shook his head as he didn't like being referred to as a liar.

'No! Of course not! You're unique and I like that, that's what makes you special.'

'Are you saying that just because I have powers?' He shook his head again, his eyes flicked to the book in Estela's hands and looked at it curiously.

'What were you reading?'

'Scales the friendly dragon.'

'That sounds good, are you enjoying it?' Estela nodded nervously.

'It's my favourite book.'

'I assume you like dragons.' Estela nodded again and he smiled. 'I was here on a holiday with my men when I heard about this family that had powers and protected the town, I didn't believe it so I came here. So, now I'm going to put you in a situation to see if it's true or not, in this situation...you have to save your parents.'

The men in the room put and enormous glass box over Estela's parents who looked afraid.

'My! I forgot to ask, what's your name?' The man hummed, standing up and looking down at me.

'Estela, what's yours?'

'Lavscander, John Lavscander.'

'What do you want me to call you by, sir?'

'Lavscander will do.' Estela watched the men attach a small tube to the glass cube and a large gas bottle. 'Now, my men will release the gas and it will go into the glass cube and slowly poison your parents. Your task is to stop the leaking gas before it kills your parents.' Lavscander explained smoothly, Estela looked at her parents with a troubled look.

'It's okay, you can do it.' Padrè says, Estela saw a tear slide down his cheek.

'Ready?' Lavscander asked, Estela gulped and slightly nodded.

He signaled his men to start letting the gas out, green gas slowly filled the glass container, I Estela begin to concentrate on the gas bottle lid, she felt sweat sliding down the side of her face.

Nothing was happening, Estela begin to panic but she did't give up. The glass cube was getting greener and greener by the second, the gas bottle started making a high pitched squealing noise.

When it stopped, Estela realised what happened. Tears slide down her cheeks, she felt a hand get put on her shoulder.

'Come here.' Lavscander whispered, Estela turned around and he hugged her tightly, Estela's book slipped out of her grip and landed on the wood floor with a slightly thud. 'I'll look after you, we can practise your magic and make you stronger. I'll make you feel safe and wanted without judgement.' He promised quietly, he let go of Estela and led Her outside.

Leaving the only safe place she ever knew.