The Void

A grand ball that doesn’t turn out as planned.

I wove in between dancers and chatters, the chandelier above us sparkling with future mischief. By the refreshments table stands Andrew, and I know the plan is going perfectly.
I have the murder weapon strapped to my thigh, underneath this gorgeous ball gown. It’s a dagger, with a comfortable leather hilt and an eleven inch blade- not to mention how its obsidian, of course. Steel blades are weak, like the government and everyone invited to this party. We have a plan, and according to Andrew’s position, it’s going flawlessly.
After I take George Steinburg hostage, my dagger to his throat, I will negotiate. Then, hopefully, I will do as expected of me, and that will give us a chance to eliminate our government and start it anew.
The cathedral ceiling is completely glass, and I can see the stars through it. There’s the Golden Lady and the Profane Bull, and over there’s Timere and Lumos. I can see the planet Arnya winking in the distance. We’re in communication with the rebels on that planet, too. If all goes according to plan, I will become the ruler, and join forces with the rebel group on Arnya if they succeed in their plans. We want to rule the whole solar system, and bring strength and peace against our enemies. This is the only way to do it. Believe me, we’ve tried all the other ways.
It’s time; I can sense it in my blood. I was born to do this. Steinburg stands on the dais at the dront of the room, about to give his rewarding speech. I can see the sweat on his forehead as he takes another sip of that expensive champagne. There were rumors we would be here tonight, but it looks as though Steinburg see that fear is unfounded. But I sneakbehind him, and no one notices, except those of my own. I stand by the ruler’s side, actingn as though I belong there. Maybe I’m a mistress, there to satisfy Steinburg when his wives aren’t. Or maybe I’m a politician from another country, or even planet, here to join forces with Steinburg and his government.
The grand clock above the dais tolls nine o’clock. The orchestra stops playing, and all heads turn toward hs expectantly. Before Steinburg can begin his speech, however, I slip my arm around his waist, like I would a lover. Then I jerk him backwards and hold my magnificent dagger to his throat. My beauty intimidates those underneath me, but soon Wliza, who is even more beautiful than I, begins speaking from the across the room.
It is a strategy we came up with. The audience wants to look at the speaker, and continue looking at her, because of her great and terrible beauty. However, thye also want to look at me and Steinburg, because they are concerned for his life. This makes the audience more panicked, and that is exactly what we need. When they are panicked, they will bend easily to our will.
“My name is Eliza,” my colleague begins. “I am part of a secret, prestigious society where we plan for the future of our planet. We are strong. We are resilient. We are fearless, but also peaceful. This government is weak. It’s dying. We are here to help. We are here to restore our country to its former glory, and to make peace with our neighbor planet, Arnya. To begin our rule, my dear colleague, who will be our grand ruler, has an announcement for you, my friends.”
That was my cue. “Thank you, Eliza. In order for the New Order to begin, we must... dispose of our current ruler.” At this, several women in the audience swoon, the Steinburg struggles in my arms. He’s young, maybe only a few years older than me, and he’s strong. But then, so am I.
“Relax, fellow Carthians. We will merely hold him for ransom. But not for money. For your will.”
Something is happening in the audience. I notice it right away. Andrew is trying to tell me something, but I can’t tell what. Has our plan gone wrong? How could it?
The crowd is getting restless. Something bad is about to happen. I stand there, my daggee still pressed against Steinburg’s throat, barely drawing blood. The audience’s murmurs rise angrily, into shouts and cries, and Andrew yells at me to get off the dais, to save myself and leave Steinburg for the worst. I don’t understand. Then an arrow shoots Andrew in the throat, and then Eliza, and instead of standing there like a stuffed deer, I drag Steinburg off the platform and take him into an abandoned room.
“You’re going to hell.” He grins at me, his perfect teeth reflecting the lght above us. I punch that flawless face, and my ring cuts him, a small wound just above his right eyebrow. He punches me back, and I wasn’t expecting that responese, so I had no time to prepare myself. I fall to my knees, stunned. I didn’t expect a rich boy like Steinburg to have the ability to throw a good punch. This time, he’s the one who drags me back out to the ballroom, but we both realize at the same time that it isn’t Steinburg’s guards attacking my people. Instead, it’s some other guard, an even more secret organization than mine, a group that isn’t afraid to kill innocent people and will do it, gladly. Steinburg is holding me in front of him, as if I’m a human shield, but even so, I feel his limp body fall when an arrow flies into his back. This group, whoever they are, is leaving no mercy for those here at the party. I stand there, and I stand the attackers down, even when an arrow embeds itself into my chest, even when another one grazes my left shoulder, and a third arrow hids my right shoulder dead-on. No, I do not fall, until I am the last one. The glass ceiling shatters, leaving twists and turns of iron that doesn’t support anything now that its one life purpose is gone. And that is when I fall, and stare into the void that is the space between life.

Author's Note

Sort of trying to write a story every day now that school’s out?? Sort of working out







((The file chosen for this cover image is not mine. I did not create, take part in creating it, or own it. It is used for entertainment purposes only. No copyriht infringement intended.))