Queen Kathy was not in the one to talk and to lecture Alyssa. She had been sneaking out of the palace for a few days now, ever since Alyssa's life was endangered.
When the midnight strikes, she would ride out with her carriage. The carriage did not look like the one on the fairy tales where pumpkins were turned into a magical cart. Queen Kathy's carriage was made out of used wood blocks thorn out of an old house. The blocks were not refurbished, perishables could get splinters just by touching the rough surface of the wood. It was hurriedly made by carpenters due to the sudden request from the Queen. But as battered as the Queen's carriage might be, it was considered a luxury in the Kingdom.
Queen Kathy took a step inside her carriage. And one of her most entrusted guard ran hurriedly in front to man the carriage, he grabbed the two poles on either side of the carriage--- there was no horse available to move it.
The guard did not ask where they will go, he already knew the answer.
Queen Kathy slid open her small window and looked at the stars. The carriage was rather slow, but the Queen welcomed it. It was a romantic night. One could say that she was on a journey to look for her lover--- her new lover.
More than an hour had passed when the carriage stopped, the guard knocked on the carriage's door to announce their arrival.
Queen Kathy opened the door and welcomed the breezy air, she took a step down as she arrived at the outskirt of town.
"Wait here." She ordered the guard.
The guard saluted to the Queen then rested at the ledge of the carriage, wiping his sweat from his face.
Queen Kathy's silky golden crown was draped on either side of her heart shaped face, it shone through the night and swayed left and right with her hips. Her golden eyes looked more brown at night, her plump lips purple-pink, and her golden complexion ashy. She could easily pass as a runway model in the old days, but now, her beauty is fit for a queen. She wore a black silk gown that accentuated her figure, her golden locket glinted from the moonlight, her night blue bucket bag was swaying in her arm.
She sauntered her way into a gray and pain looking establishment--- it looked like a factory. But it stood out among the rest with its high wire fences.
She was standing on the wide entrance of the establishment. There were two ring knockers on the metal gate. She held one and tapped it three times--- the sound reverberated into the quiet night.
A slot slid open as a man's eye appeared and checked who disturbed the night. "My Queen." He slid it back close as he opened the gate for the Queen.
The Queen was expected to arrive.
The jail guard welcomed her arrival. "We have good finds for you tonight, my Queen."
"Are you sure?"
The jail guard closed the gate behind. "Yes, I believe you can choose someone tonight."
The jail guard swung his hand in the air to let Queen Kathy lead the way as he followed close behind--- the jail guard knew that the Queen was aware of where to go as it was not her first time to visit. They walked on the hallway of a series of jail cells, there were a series of loud snoring as the convicts slept. The Queen's heels echoed on the unusually peaceful hallway; the convicts were unaware of her majestic presence.
The jail guard skidded in front of the Queen to open a door. "Please wait here my Queen."
The room was rather dim and small, it only had three plastic chairs and a rectangular table at the center. The Queen could see an adjacent room through a two-way mirror, the adjacent room replicated the same interior as where the Queen was occupying.
The guard with a beard knocked before he entered the room where the Queen was. He stood at the corner with his hands clasped together, holding files of folders.
After a minute or so, five men of different age groups and body types entered the adjacent room. They were staring right at the two-way mirror, aware of being observed but unaware of by whom. Different as they may be from each other, the five men had two things in common--- the cuffs on their hand and their orange jumpsuit.
The bearded jail guard passed five folders to the Queen. Queen Kathy sat at the table, scrutinizing the men one by one.
The first man was too young and small for her type, the second one had a very sunken eyes and oily hair, and the third one was…okay--- he had brown hair and eyes and had an air around him that screamed money. Queen Kathy skipped two folders and opened the file of the third convict. Queen Kathy lifted his lips at the corner out of disappointment. The third man's file was not as impressive as his looks, his convicted crime was more on the soft side. His previous job was a bookkeeper of goods for the vendors, and dozens of vendors filed a case on him embezzling their goods.
Queen Kathy shook her head and closed the third man's file. She then observed the last two men on the line. The remaining two looked just like the second one--- dirty and intoxicated.
The bearded guard was standing near the door, observing the Queen silently.
"No," Queen Kathy handed over the files to the bearded guard as she stood. "Not as good as you said they would be."
"Please my Queen," The bearded guard took the files from her. "Please seat, we have another batch for tonight. This won't disappoint you."
Queen Kathy gave him a side glance before she sat on the chair again.
The bearded guard hurriedly walked out of the room.
Queen Kathy tapped her fingers on the table, thinking that tonight was another failure.
The bearded guard returned immediately with a fresh set of folders; he placed the folders in front of the Queen.
The first five men exited and was replaced by a fresh batch of five men. Again, they were a mixture of age and body type. But this batch was different that the previous one, they looked more of like warriors--- those who experienced the worst in life and fought.
Queen Kathy snickered, the bearded guard was right, she liked this batch better.
Was it attraction at first sight?
The Queen's eyes latched on the fourth man on the row. He was tall and had a strong build, he had a pale blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and chocolate skin. But what Queen Kathy really liked about the man were the battle scars all over his arms---he wore them like they were his trophies.
The bearded guard smiled behind as he saw the Queen satisfied.
She skipped the file of the rest and went straight to the fourth man. His list of convicted crimes was even better. His previous job was a hitman, he does not discriminate--- women, children, rich, poor, perishables, or cured--- he would kill anybody for the right price. He was also charged with evasion from the law. His sentence--- death row.
It was decided, the Queen made a choice. Queen Kathy separated the chosen one's file among the rest.
The bearded guard scurried to the desk to collect the rejected folders. "Have you chosen, my Queen?"
"Yes, good job." Queen Kathy's face brightened.
The bearded man smiled from the Queen's praise.
"I hope this is enough for your trouble," Queen Kathy took a sack of Rigs from her bag and placed it on the table with a clunk.
It was music to the bearded guard's ears; his hands were itching to touch it.
"Take it, it's all yours." Queen Kathy waved to the sack.
The guard did not waste a second and took it on the table, it was heavy--- always a good sign. "Thank you, my Queen."
Queen Kathy rested her chin on her hand. "Bring the man to me."
"Yes, of course." The bearded guard skidded to the door.
A minute passed by as five men were directed to exit the adjacent room, and another minute arrived when a knock came on the door.
"My Queen." The bearded guard pushed the cuffed man into the room and he hurriedly gave a key to the Queen.
"You're dismissed, leave us alone." Queen Kathy's eyes remained on the empty room in front of her.
The bearded guard gave one last warning look to the looming man before he exited the room.
But she could feel the man's gaze from the side--- she had never been looked that way before. It was not just a look of bloodthirst. The man outstared the Queen, challenging her. This man was not an outburst of sanity but an embodiment of controlled dominance and precision. Queen Kathy liked it very much.
Queen Kathy acknowledge him with a side glance. "You would already be dead if you looked at the Queen like that in the palace."
The man roared with laughter. "Queen? You? What would the Queen want from me?"
"Everything," Queen Kathy stood up, and looked at him straight in the eyes. "everything."
"It would cost." The man stood straight on his feet.
"A price I could pay," Queen Kathy moved closer to him, until there was only an inch between them. "Money, fame," Queen Kathy caressed the man's cuffed hand. "power…" She thrusted the key in the cuff as she slowly turned it clockwise to open it. "…and freedom."
The cuff clunked on the floor as the man waggled his hands, unfamiliar with the sudden comfort.
The man smirked. "What's the catch?"
Queen Kathy looked up and pierced her eyes upon him." Don't. Ever. Betray. Me."
The man returned the piercing gaze to the Queen. "For the right price, I will not."
Queen Kathy's lips lifted on one side. "Good, Garrett" Queen Kathy tasted his name for the first time.
Queen Kathy walked a few steps away. "Oh, one thing though." She pivoted around to face him. "I'll claim your death, tonight."
"Now, claim it now." Garrett dared.
"I admire your brave soul." Queen Kathy produced the obsidian dagger and a flask of blueish water from her bag. "Drink this," Queen Kathy offered the flask to him. "and offer me your life. "She gave the dagger on the other hand.
Garrett took the challenge. He looked at the Queen in the eyes as he drank the flask dry and threw into the wall--- it shattered into tiny pieces on the floor.
Queen Kathy can't help but notice that he did not kneel, it was surprising even to herself that she was not displeased for the lack of manner.
Garret then positioned the dagger into his heart as he gritted with excitement. "Argghhhhh!" Garret bellowed.
Pool of blood gushed from the wound and Garret finally knelt and fell on the floor.
***
Queen Kathy was sitting as she tapped her fingers on the table. Was it an hour? Or maybe three hours after Garrett took his own life.
The floor was covered with dried blood. The Queen patiently tapped her foot on the bloodied floor. It might take him until morning before he would rise, but the Queen does not mind. One of the things she acquired after being cured was patience. One is bound to learn how to endure boring sleepless nights.
Then suddenly--- there was a slithering sound coming from the floor. There were slow arm movements.
Queen Kathy turned to her side to witness Garrett's rebirth.
First were his fingers---he opened and closed his fist. Second were his limbs--- he moved slowly as he assessed his joints. Third was his head--- he twisted his neck from side to side. Then he stood and assessed Queen Kathy with his eyes--- his orange jumpsuit stained with blood.
Queen Kathy titled her head to the side. Garrett was conscious and was not consumed by his hunger. His will was strong.
Queen Kathy walked slowly towards him. "From now on," She caressed his chiseled jaw. "you will be the King."
Queen Kathy lead the way as the pair walked their way towards the sleeping prison and out into the night.
The bearded guard was waiting at the metal gate and thanked the Queen for a very generous transaction.
Queen Kathy caught the guard sleeping soundly on the asphalt. She slightly kicked the guard on his knees, but the guard just tossed and turned as he scratched on his knees.
"Wake up," Queen Kathy kicked him on the arm this time. But the guard did not budge.
"Wake up!" Queen Kathy yelled out as she pressed her heels on his stomach.
The guard was groggy from sleep as he squinted at the two looming figures above him. Realizing who it was, he abruptly stood up. "My Queen." He said with a croaked voice.
"Back to the palace." Queen Kathy ordered.
Queen Kathy and Garrett walked inside the carriage as the guard hurriedly ran in front to manually move it.
The guard pulled the carriage, it did not budge. That was weird, he shook his head from side to side. It felt like he was pulling a huge bulge of stone. He attempted again but it only moved an inch then reversed back into its original place. He breathed heavily before he pulled with all his might as he finally moved the carriage. He smiled in triumph as his face reddened.
Queen Kathy slid open the tiny window. "The sky is bright tonight."
It was indeed a romantic night with a sky full of stars. Queen Kathy enjoyed the view as the carriage moved inch by inch.
It took them twice the time to return to the palace.
The guard was sweating profusely as he knocked on the door to inform them of their arrival.
Queen Kathy stood down first, then Garrett at her side.
The guard wanted to take some rest, so he wanted to ask Queen Kathy if he was free to go. "My Queen,' He bowed. "am I----"
But his words turned into a shrieking wail as Garrett lunged into him--- straight into his brain.
The guard fell on the ground as Garrett pinned him down, Garrett savored every bits of the guard's brain.
Once Garrett was finished, the guard's body convulsed before it lied still on the ground.
Queen Kathy surveyed Garrett's meal. He was a messy eater. "You should eat it all, or else they will turn into savages." Queen Kathy licked her lips. "We don't want that."
Queen Kathy finished the leftover of Garrett. It was not the type of brain that she preferred but it still filled her stomach.
Finished with their meal, Queen Kathy wiped her mouth on her black dress--- she did the same for Garrett.
They smiled to each other.
It was their first dinner date.
It was a fairy tale after all--- the Queen found her King.