"Alright honey, go head and open up your next gift!" My mother said to me as I violently ripped the beautifully wrapped box apart into nothing but shreds. "A flute, wow! I-I love it Mom! Thank you!" I said as I wrapped my arms around her waist. Soon enough, warm tears began to roll down my face. "Aw, Venus! There's no need to cry. I know that you've really been wanting one. I couldn't resist getting it for you on your birthday! But guess what, Venus? I've still got one more surprise for you! My mother got up from the couch, and opened up a simple jar. From the jar, she took out two airplane tickets; With my puffy eyes and all, I couldn't really make out what it said, except for one word: VALE. I once again felt my tears build up in my eyes, and then my let out a light chuckle as if she knew I would react this way. "That's right, honey. We're going to the Kingdom of Vale for the one and only Vytal festival you've been dying to see!"

That was it. This is when it all started.

"Don't worry about packing all that much. I've already done most of our packing because we're leaving today!" My mother, Zara, said in a burst of dynamic expression. I wasn't completely sure about my feelings at this point - Was I to be nervous or excited? Maybe a bit of both. However, my tears still wouldn't stop falling, so my mother brought me in for one, last hug. "I love you so much, Venus. This is all because you're the best daughter anyone could ever ask for. You've really braved all of the things we've been through with your father abandoning us and all. You mean everything to me, you know that?" She said to me as she stroked my hair. I didn't know what to say, except to be extremely grateful. My mom once again let out a light giggle as she let me go from her grasp. Alright Venus, we leave in a few hours, so if you need to pack anything else, I suggest you do it now!"

We eventually got to the airport after a long car ride that felt like forever due to my excitement. While I was in the car, I couldn't stop thinking about watching all of those Huntsman and Huntresses In-Training duke it out in the tournament. Oh, how cool it would be to become one of them - But those thoughts were for another day. Soon enough, my mom and I finished all of our boarding-related things and got onto the plane. Smooth sailing from here I suppose. "Venus, aren't you excited?! We're going to have so much fun!" My mother said to me as we sat down in our seats. "I really am Mom. I can't thank you enough for this, but I'm honestly really exhausted right now. I'm just gonna take a quiiicckkk nap." I yawned loudly as she laughed at my silliness. "Go ahead honey, you're gonna need all the rest you can get before the festival!" I nodded to her then stared outside of my window. We hadn't lifted off yet, but I was too damn sleepy to actually stay up for that. In a matter of minutes, I was already slobbering on my shoulder.

Screaming. Crying. That's all I could hear, yet I was still in my dream state.

I felt a firm hand grasp my shoulder and shake me into reality. Before I even opened my eyes, I knew something was very wrong. I then heard a whistle of air come out from above me. I opened my eyes to see that air masks had just shot out from the overhead compartments. "M-Mom! What's going on?!" I yelled over to her. "Don't worry honey, everything wi-" Then a huge jolt launched me forward into the seat in front of me, and I fell unconscious.

I woke up with sharp pains all throughout my body as if someone had just whacked me with a hammer all over my body. My surroundings seemed to be a large forest, with tall trees bearing right over me. It was nighttime, so there wasn't much light, except for a fire that was emitted from the plane crash. I tried to unbuckled my seat belt and though it was a struggle, I eventually managed to do it. I fell from my seat and onto the floor. "M-Mom! Please help me." I looked up at the my mother's seat, yet there was no one in it. I once again evaluated my surroundings, but this time, the deaths of these people really kicked in. "N-No. . . This isn't re-" I was suddenly cut off by a loud groan. It sounded like my mother! I tried standing up, but fell right back to the floor. "Come on Venus, now is not the time for this." After several tries, I was eventually able to prevail and walk at a slow wobble. I closed my eyes as I walked down the isle, as I didn't want to see the bodies. "V-Venus! I-Is that you. . ?" I heard a nearby voice call, which was obviously my mother. "Mom, where are you?!" I shouted. A hand then grabbed leg, and I yelped. Then, I looked down to see my mom, Zara, laying on the floor. "Mom!" I shouted as I tried to kneel down on the floor. This was too much. I then began to break down and heavy amounts of tears poured down my face. "Shh, don't cry, Venus. Listen to me, it's not safe here. You have to get out of here. Everything will be alright, baby. Just remember, that I always lov-"

The next thing I knew, my mother was dragged across the floor by a large paw and then killed. They were Grimm.

The adrenaline then shot throughout my body, and I made a run for it. I didn't stop running. I didn't stop crying. I didn't stop fighting for my life.

A few hours had passed, and I was still running through the forest. It was beginning to become daylight, and I felt my body begin to give out. 'This is it.' I thought. 'My final breathes.' I then fell hard against the dirt floor. My vision was hazy by this time, but I saw a silhouette approach me. I couldn't tell who it was but I could make out a few things.

Their white hair, black glasses, and green clothes.