Red Mist

Dakota Jahagon

It was dark when they arrived at Leo's house and Liesel was hugging her arms tightly to her chest. The door opened when Leo knocked on it, to reveal a small woman wrapped in a shawl, with blonde hair tied into a small ponytail. Her delicate frame looked as if it could smash at any sudden movement. “Leo?” she asked. Despite her miniature appearance, her voice sounded strong. “Who is
this? The whole family has been panicking. You were meant to be back an hour ago! An hour!”
“Ma, don't panic.”
“Don't panic? Don't panic? Is that what you expect me to do?”
“I found a runaway.”
Her eyes traveled to meet Liesel's and immediately flew open when she spoke. “Hello.”  
She fell back and clutched at a table for support. “Leo. What have you done?” she gasped.
“Ma? What's going on?”
“She's English!”
“Why is that bad?”
“We're Germans! We're loyal members of the  Fuhrers army!”
“But ma, she's lost.”
Hesitantly, her eyes flicked to Liesel again and to Leo. “Come in,” she whispered. “Quickly.”
Liesel sat down and directed her gaze towards the floor.
“Dakota Jahagon can look after her. I can't take the stress,” Leo's ma said and massaged her temples. I'll take Liesel round to her now.”
“But Dakota has so many children in her house-”
“Leo. Be quiet.”
Mrs Hunter extended her palm and took Liesel's hand. Muttering furiously, she led her outside and into the cold night. As she stopped at the door, she turned to Liesel and spoke. “Be careful.”
Then she knocked on the door and fled, leaving Liesel flustered and red cheeked in front of a woman with brown hair tied in a bun and a wooden spoon in hand.
“Do you know what time it is?” she asked briskly, her tone showing her annoyance.
“No,” Liesel replied unsteadily, turning away to look for Mrs Hunter again. But the night was still and silent, and only the sound of crickets entered her ears.
"I-I was told to come here. By Mrs Hunter..."
"That naughty woman. I told her I have enough orphans to take care of! Come in!"
Liesel was bustled inside and immediately had to duck. A young boy came running past, dodging flying scrunched up newspaper.Another boy was hurling them laughing. Two small girls were smiling and drawing on paper. It was full of happiness and laughter. Liesel felt like an outcast. Her her was soaking, her face was miserable and she was shivering.
"Who's this?" The boy hurtling paper immediately stopped and stared at Liesel. He had a heavy loaded London accent.
"A new one."
"What's her name?"
"Liesel," Liesel said. "Liesel Doucher."
"Move Felix," Dakota Jahagon said. Felix obeyed and scampered off into another room, followed by the other boy. "Carlos," Dakota called and a young man sitting in the room caught Liesel's eye. He looked up and Liesel saw his face. She gasped. A long scar was running down the side of his face and his brow was furrowed. His eyes were bronze, tinted with flecks of green.
"Yes?" His voice was gruff. Then he saw Liesel. His face darkened and he shifted away from her.
"We have a new orphan. Tell Felix, Splint  and Din to stop flinging paper everywhere. It's ruining the house. Oh, and Betty and Sarah's laundry is in the room."
He grunted and hid behind the book. Dakota sighed, grabbed Liesel's hand and pulled her into another room.
"Sleep," she said firmly and switched off the lights. Then she closed the door and Liesel was in darkness.