The Fools of Remington Street

Chapter Twenty Four- Maritza

I took a plane all the way to America. Yes, America. That's where I suspected the person who sent the box lived.

I was so determined I knew who it was that I booked a flight to another country.

America had dropped the form of Democracy for Monarchy in 2069-ish because apparently one of the the democrats had gotten out of control, murdered one of the candidates, and the country was almost in shambles.

All I knew was that they had a King who was also a shitty ruler.

Once my plane landed in America, I ran into the airport and did everything as quick as possible, without eating.

I hailed a Transporter Vehicle and told the installed robotic driver the place I wanted to go, and it drove off.

When we stopped, the robotic voice repeated the address I had told it. "Welcome to 88456 Terra Ave., New Brynn City, New York, United Republic of America."

I put my payment in the slot and bolted out the door to the house in which I knew the deliverer lived.

I didn't even bother knocking. I kicked open the door, knowing she always left her doors unlocked. All the lights seemed to be on too.

The house was huge. Almost a mansion. I saw a grand entry way with a red and golden frayed carpet, polished wooden stairs, many halls with many rooms that seemed utterly useless.

I grabbed a light pink umbrella that was resting near the stairs, held it in the air like a baseball bat, and kept moving around the corridors of the large house.

I heard a crash and ran into a long, dusty dining room. There was a white polished plate lying shattered on the floor. It was far from the table, so there was absolutely no way it had just fallen off the table. It was purposely thrown on the ground. Probably to distract me so she could hide somewhere else I had already checked, so I wouldn't check there again. I went back into the main entry way. Now the lights were off.

I turned in circles, the pink umbrella still raised at my head level.

A feminine voice with an Italian accent boomed through the house.

"That's no weapon. Silly, Mari."

I looked around. She was standing on the stairs, a hand placed gently on the railing. She was wearing a long black dress with flowing sleeves and sequins. She almost looked like a vampire with her paper white complexion, and huge wavy black hair tumbling down her shoulders.

She came slowly walking down the steps. "How did you know where I was?" She paused. "Why are you here?" Her accent slithered in and out of her voice. She's definitely been living here a while.

"When you belonged to the Base-"

"I don't belong anywhere." She snarled.

"When you lived in the Base with us, I knew what you wanted to be ranked as a Queen. But you were ranked as a Peasant. I saw what you did. You kept spray painting threats on the walls and no one knew but me. Soon enough, after Nette betrayed you, you went on a rampage, walked into the airport, planted a bomb, got on your plane, pressed a button, and the airport had exploded."

"I'm not a part of the King's League if that's what you're asking. " she said crossing her arms. Just under her sleeve, I could see the scarred tissue where her barcode and rank symbol used to be.

"No. I'm asking why you, of all people, is trying to help me by giving me a May Lynn hologram."

She didn't speak.

"Francesca." I spoke.

She gestured for me to come upstairs. I followed and she guided me into a study. It had two wooden french doors and golden lining above them. She pushed open the doors. It was a huge room with desks and quotes in Italian, and there were actual scrolls laying on the wall. Not to mention the giant smart table just sitting in the middle of the room. It was just like a normal table except the table top was a smart screen.