Kayden was not a stupid child by any means.
She was well aware that conflict was unraveling somewhere in Thorn City and that her father was probably involved. She liked to view him as a brave hero or soldier that was fighting for what was right, but she instinctively knew otherwise. She wasn't ignorant to the accusations that he was a criminal. She had heard the stories, met some of his less than reputable affiliates, and had even seen the occasional brawl. That didn't matter though. Even if he was a criminal, he was still the best father that she could ask for. There was always warm food on the table and there was never a day without company or supervision. She had all the clothing and toys that she could ever desire, so she could never complain. And she never did. Even with a mother that had long since abandoned both of them.
". . Sara!" A golden horse was rendered breathless as he broke through the garden gate. Edward looked as if he was on edge for some reason or another. Considering how he had left, nobody was surprised at that. It was, however, troubling. It was troubling for his sake, Caleb's sake, Jake's sake, and for the other children's sake. The hippocampus had, after all, burst into the garden where Mary was busy tending to the flowers with the help of Skyla and her cousin. It was an attempt at distracting the girls though its effectiveness had yet to be seen. Marrathew, meanwhile, had been tasked with guarding the back door. He was unfortunately aware of the bloodshed happening on the opposite side. This led to the decision that he had to had to keep the children outside at all costs. "I need to talk to Sara!"
"Edward?" The horse's sudden appearance got Kayden's attention. She was covered from head to toe in dirt as a result of tending to the sprouts. The Nieve family had a line of skilled botanists and Sara especially took pride in her vegetables. Mary preferred the flowers, however. Their garden was one of the best in Thorn City either way between the two of them and Mary's children. "What's wrong?"
"Edward! Where is Jake?" The outcry came from Mary. The woman, who was worried for her son's sake, was also more than alert to the hippocampus' arrival. She was already rushing to his side for answers. "Please tell me that he's alright. And Caleb too. Where have they gone?!"
"They're alright." This was a blatant lie. Edward himself looked as if he were in a scuffle based on the dirt that now lined his golden mane. He couldn't outright mention that Jake had been captured, however. Not to his hysterical mother and the two young children that were nearby. One of which whom, in spite of their appearance, had already gathered what was happening. "I need to talk to Sara."
Marrathew nodded as he briefly stepped aside. "Of course. I'll get her for you—"
"I'll get grandma!" Kayden was an unpredictable force of nature that disappeared in a flash. She was quick to shove Marrathew further aside as she reached for the door knob. The older man struggled to catch her, but to no avail. It was too late as the back door swung open and the girl eagerly ran inside. She, unknowingly or not, was rushing towards the violence that awaited her. This act consisted of an elderly Sara Nieve pinning the beloved Witch Hazel to a wall with a dagger pressed into her arm. This was one scene that the girl would have been better off not seeing, but she hadn't even seem to blink upon arriving in the living room.
"Grandma! Edward needs you for something!"