章 99: Gone

Victoria's lips quivered, her legs had grown weak. She wanted to try and stand but she could not. Everything she had once known was gone. All of it had been reduced to ashes. 

Laina looked on in shock. It was clear from the ruins that the town had been destroyed in a fire. Though the smokey smell of burnt wood no longer lingered in the air, the blackened collapsed structures were clear for all to see. 

Kol remained expressionless, although his eyes conveyed a sadness only someone who had experienced the same loss would have. Memories of a time long forgotten resurfaced in his mind as he looked over to Victoria. 

He knew she was experiencing the same thing he had experienced so many years ago. It hurts to lose the things you once held so dear. It is terrifying to see the last glimmer of hope you have to vanish before your eyes. 

"Everything's… gone…" Victoria murmured as her tears continued to flow.