Zombie Queen

A Long, Long, Long Time Later

A long, long, long time later

Zombies did not reproduce, but neither did they die, and so there was no reason to keep track of superficial things like time. The whole population was ever-lasting. All Jess knew was that the initial attack had happened 'a long time ago', and so the present must be 'a long time after'. It was all anyone needed to know, as death was no longer a ticking clock looming over their heads, and everyone was free to live in the moment, forever.

Besides that and the obvious change that involved everyone existing in various stages of decay, life was largely how it had been. Jess had been and still was the Zombie Queen. As it turned out, people needed someone to follow. Zombie or human, it was simply in our nature to worship someone, and Jess had been more than happy to fill that role. She flourished under the care of her subjects, revelled in the power she held and could honestly say, impossible as it had once seemed, that she was glad for the zombie apocalypse.

Life was ideal for her- the zombies had taken over the city, infected everyone inside and had claimed the place as their own. It looked remarkably different than it once had, but it was home. Here, at the heart of the city, Jess sat reclined in her throne with golden crown atop her head.

In reality, it was merely a chair that had been stolen and decorated, but aren't all important things really just things we choose to assign meaning to? Jess had assigned meaning to her throne and the 'throne-room' she sat in; it was a symbol of status. Whoever sat upon its faded purple cushions ruled the city, controlled all, and no one had ever dared question her leadership since her outstanding defeat. Currently, she half-sat, half-lay on the throne with a zombie at either side wafting extravagant fans at her. It wasn't even especially hot, the servants were more a symbol of power than a necessary thing. By surrounding herself with small people, she had learned, she could make herself seem big by comparison. On one side of the room sat the old man who had been her closest advisor, her propaganda genius and public speaking expert. And, most importantly, next to her was her oldest and truest friend, Carl.

What had become of Carl was nothing short of a miracle. While everyone else grew old and haggard, he had aged with dignified grace, even seemed younger than he had all those years ago! His scars had begun to fade, old wounds had managed to close themselves, and, most astonishingly, he had grown a full head of thick, white hair. Jess looked at him with adoration which the passing years had not faded in the slightest. Once, as a girl, Jess had dreamed about growing old with him. Now, however unconventional the circumstance, Jess wished she could travel back through time and tell her younger self that the dream had come true. He still loved and protected her. She still loved him, just as deeply as she always had.

It was at that moment, when Jess and Carl were sharing one of their looks of mutual affection, that there was a sharp knock at the door. Jess was ready to lazily open her mouth and grant the subject permission to come inside when the door opened itself, a sign of such blatant disrespect that Jess straightened herself in the throne. Clearly, this was something serious.

The door swung open to reveal a girl that Jess didn't immediately recognize, and at her side were two bulky, nasty looking zombies. They glared around the room as if it personally offended them, fists clenched to win a fight against her servants who were armed with nothing except giant fans.

'Can I help you?' Jess narrowed her eyes at the unwelcome visitor. She met her gaze, which was unusual. None of that fleeting uncertainty and sideways glances that were typical of her subordinates.

'I believe you can,' the girl's voice was smooth and, for the most part, so was her skin. She was unmarked aside from a noticeable limp in her somewhat crushed-looking legs. She must have been young at the time of the initial attack, perhaps one of those children who used to live in the city. 'We have come to dethrone you, Zombie Queen.'