Chapter III

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Everything made Vicky nervous. She had been a terrible Monster-in-the-Closet for that reason, and had been expelled into the Neutral Zone. She had gotten lucky, though, the King had a tendency to employ those from the Zone, and she had gotten a position as a maid in his castle. While the long, dark corridors were intimidating, once she had gotten used to them she had begun to enjoy the repetitive work.

She had just finished her shift and was making her way to her small hovel. She crossed the border from the City into the Zone, pulling her shawl more tightly around her head, hoping no attention fell upon her. Unfortunately, she was accosted by a dark shadow that pulled her into an alleyway.

She looked up, terrified, and realized that she knew the shadow. It didn’t make her feel any less terrified.

“G-garland?” She whispered, trembling. “You can’t be here!”

“I have to be,” he replied, “something’s happening. Something bad, but I just don’t know what it is. Vicky, have you heard anything?”

“Nothing! N-no, nothing! I’m just a maid, you know that,” she said, looking at the entrance of the alley nervously, hoping no one would walk by.

“I know you, Vicky. You notice things,” Garland grabbed her by the shoulders. “Anything, Vicky. Please.”

Vicky took a deep breath, and checked the alley entrance once more before replying. “This isn’t my life anymore, Garland. I’m always scared now, I’m scared they’re going to realize I helped you and they’ll come get me. And it’s gotten worse, I’m always seeing things out of the corner of my eye now. You did this to me, Garland.”

She went to walk away, but Garland’s ears had perked up at the mention of seeing things. She decided to throw him one more piece of information, just to get him to leave her alone.

“The Council isn’t happy with the King and his daughter. They think they’re overstepping, trying to change things. The Council doesn’t want change.”

And with that, Vicky pushed her way past Garland and ran the rest of the way home.

Continue to Chapter 4

Credits

Profile & Diamond Pattern by
Sunrise
Art by frederick
Wood, Stone, Damask by
Pixabay
Story by Trithie