Reigning innocence

Chapter Two: When time stood still

"You don't have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you're holding." -Cheryl Strayed

(November 16th, 2016)

The world was pitted in a somber nightmare where: buildings were still smouldering, burnt flesh flowing through the air, and blocks of concrete slabs were mangled and thrown every which way. Looking out the cracked windows, I see people caterwauling while bending down in search of people they haven't been able to locate. London, Manchester, Wembley, Kensington, and other places have all been obliterated. 

My navy blue peacoat was torn in multiple places and my brown hair was matted against the blood on my forehead. Body tremors ran through me as I walked down the demolished hallways of the palace. "Ellie? Stop moving. You need to stop."

I muttered, "I could've prevented this. This is my fault." Continuing on my way, I brush the tears out of the corner of my eyes. My hands were covered in lacerations and bruises; and on top of that there was dirt and grime amongst them. Edwin limps over to me and grabs me by the shoulders. "Ellie! You couldn't have prevented this. The Queen -may she rest in heavenly peace - is gone. The Council is gone. Any royal successor is gone! Do you get the picture! This isn't your fault and you cannot blame yourself. Are you okay?"

Yelling in a scratchy tone, "Edwin! Look around us! Not only has England suffered, but the world has. Absolute destruction and devastation! If I would have spoke up, we would still have a Queen! Oh my god, what about the girls?" As soon as I stopped moving, I started hitting Edwin in the chest out of frustration until my legs gave out. We had a chance to prevent this. The Queen is dead and there is... there is...! Why did I choose this job? Edwin is my rock in this whiplashing nightmare.

"Ed-"

"Elle, you aren't going to want to hear what I am going to say."

Looking at him with sheer anguish, I angrily say "What?! I didn't want to hear that the majesty was gone! I didn't want this to happen. The country is in complete peril and no one did a thing! You were instructed to find out who was sending those death threats! Why can't you do anything right?"

Holding me, he responds with tears "You asked me yesterday. One day is not enough time to do the impossible. You're not in your right mind. Ellie, we have no Queen."

Shoving him away, I look at a rock as I sat in a fetal position. "Don't remind me."

Reaching out to me, I instantly smack his hand which surged pain through me. "Ellie. You're the only survivor of The Council besides me. The girls aren't next in the royal succession. You would be ne-."

Biting my words sharply, "Don't you dare say it!"

"Next Queen. The whole royal family has been wiped out and then some. The girls are parentless. The country needs a Queen and that would be you." 

Darting off into the distance, I brace myself for the scene as I swing the doors open. One door quickly falls off its hinges and plummets to the ground. I see bodies under the debris and see a little puppy barking at the loss of his human. This is our world. Dark. Disintegrated. Devastation. Disastrous. A nightmare. Chaos and strife are the devils siblings.

Glancing over to my right, I see a woman hobbling over to me with one heel in one hand and the other on her foot; and her ruby red lips were smeared. "Eleanor Reign! Ellie!" hollered the women in drapes. Squinting my eyes, she tosses her shoe down and waves me down.