Tennyson

“Mr. Bell,” a man says. “I need a word with you.” 

I turn around to look at him. The man is roughly 6’4, 210 lbs. He’s very toned with a body full of tattoos. There’s no way that I could run from him. Even if I somehow managed to successfully give him the slip, They wouldn’t stop until They found me. He motions for me to follow him into a nearby abandoned building. I follow him. As I walk in I see a group of people surrounding one man. 

“Ty,” he says, smiling and opening his arms wide. “Come, let me take a look at you.”

 I slowly walk towards him. All eyes are on me. As I reach him he cups my face in his hands.

“Hey Vince, how ya doin’?” I say nervously. 

Vince drops his hands. 

“I’m not doin’ too good Ty.” He says as he starts to pace slowly. “You still owe me alotta money, and I’m an impatient man.” 

I shift nervously. “I know Vince,” I say “I’m workin’ on it. I just got a new deal, so I’ll be makin’ a lot more money.” 

Vince reaches into his pocket and pulls out a cigarette and a lighter. 

“Yea, I heard about that,” he says as he lights the cigarette. “And you see, I don’t really wanna wait for my money.” 

As I turn around, Vince points to the guys behind me. I start to back up as they close in on me. I end up backing into Vince and he grabs me. As the first punch lands, I yell out in pain. Vince lets me fall to the ground as more hits land. He walks into my line of sight, still with a smile on his face. He’s enjoying this. After watching a few more hits, Vince leaves with the man that brought me here. I’m now with these men alone and with every hit, my eyes close more and more. They are going to be the last people I see before I die. Maybe I deserve this. I did just use them to get what I wanted. Maybe this is for the best. As the next hit lands, I lose consciousness. 

Helena

A sudden chill shoots down my spine. Something is wrong. I look around the room. All I can see is my delegation sitting at the table in front of me. 

“Your Majesty?” I hear someone say. 

I turn my head towards the voice. It’s Oscar.

“Yes, Lord Sutton?” I say with a hint of disdain in my voice. 

Oscar sits quietly for a moment.

Gina steps in. “My Ia’ah, we wanted to know if you had a response to the latest outcry over your engagement to Lord Sutton being dissolved.” 

She always knows how to save me from these situations. 

“Queen Regina,” I start, “Please issue a statement assuring the people that I still aim to get married to provide this kingdom with an heir, just not to Lord Sutton.” 

The rest of the Queen’s and Lords nod their heads in agreement. Everyone except Oscar. I rise from my throne.

“That will be all for today.” I say as I walk out of the room. 

As I walk towards my room, I get that weird feeling again.

“Guards,” I say. “Has there been anyone in my room since I’ve been gone?” 

One of the guards stands at attention.

“No, Your Majesty. There has been no one here since you left.” he says as he bows.

“Thank you.” I say as I walk through the doors to my room.

As the doors close behind me I take a look around. Everything is exactly as I left it. I breathe a sigh of relief. I start to take off my ceremonial robes when I hear thud. I pause for a moment trying to figure out where the noise came from. I hear it again. I draw my sword as I slowly walk around the room. I hear it again, and this time, I know exactly where it’s coming from. As I approach my closet door it bursts open and a body falls out. It’s badly beaten. I drop my sword and rush over to the body. I see that it’s a man. He looks to be in his mid to late 20’s and there are cuts and bruises all over him. He’s barely breathing. I yell for the guards to bring the physician.