The Hatchet

David Lopez

At last it was time to come out of hiding. Baret opened the hatched lock. Cautiously he stepped out.

“Don’t come up until I tell you it’s safe” he said quietly

Everyone bundled together with freight marked all over their faces as they watched Baret look around.

“Fire” a faint voice yelled.

Gunshots screeched through the air as they headed straight into Baret. He was hit with multiple shots. Inside the hatchet, his family and others watched the horror of Barrett's body being penetrated by bullets. Julie’s eyes were covered so that she wouldn't witness her brother's death, but it was too late for that.

“Keep moving there has to be more of them hiding” the faint voice yelled as it got closer.

“Let me take care of it mamma” Roger said.

 “Must you say idiotic things” mamma frantically yelled.

Now it was just a matter of moments that they’d all be caught and executed for the killers were not rational. Over their heads the killers appeared.

“Please don’t kill us” mamma begged. “Queen Ellie is not this monstrous to order this kind of slaughter on her own people”

Right there and then they realized they wouldn’t come out of this alive. Shots lighted the hatchet like it was the 4th of July.

 “That’s enough” the voice said.

Under the dead bodies something was spotted sparkling. Victor stepped into the hatchet. What could this sparkling thing be?

 “Xavier's pocket watch” Victor faintly whispered.

 “You alright sir?” one of his men asked.

Zoned out he replied “Yes I am fine.”