Wonderland

~Here She Comes: Part II~

Annabelle withdrew her gun from inside her waistband and fired a few shots to get the crowd's attention. About two hundred people were now staring at her, some with curiosity, some with fear, and some with pure fury.

"Now that I have your attention," She began, her voice booming across the forest. ", We can finally get to what needs to be done." She cleared her throat, preparing to give her big speech.

"I understand all of your anger, but it is all misplaced. I was not the one to kill ten of our people. As much as I loathe the conspirators and traitors among us, I would never go so far as to kill them. It is true that I killed Axton, but only because he acted without my consent. Now, the true face behind these terrible murders is that of a demon named Beelzebub, or Christopher DeMarco on earth."

The crowd began to get louder, people's whispers & murmurs turning into shouts of fear & worry.  Annabelle hurried to continue.

"There is no need for worry or panic, as I have already taken care of everything." Annabelle said calmly, making the crowd die down. That may have been a lie, but Annabelle couldn't afford having her people panic or start throwing the blame at her again. Annabelle was about to speak again, but the sound of laughter echoing through the crowd distracted her. She looked for the source of the mirth, and once it was found said, "Did something I say amuse you, Ryalnd?"

Ryland Clarke, one of the vampires in her army was your typical troublemaker. Attention seeking, outspoken, both fearless and careless at the same time, and a lover of one upping people. He had gotten himself into dangerous situations for no good reason more times than Annabelle could count, and she had helped him out every sing time. Even through his most obnoxious endeavors, she had stood up for him. A small part of her liked his wildness, mostly because deep inside of her, she too had an unruliness side as well. If Ryland was able to put aside his recklessness, as she had, he could have made a good and strong leader. Unfortunately, he was too preoccupied with getting himself into trouble, or as he liked to put in, "ceasing the day!" Annabelle often wondered why she put up with him.

Ryland took another puff of the cigarette he had been smoking before speaking. "Isn't it convenient that the only ten people conspiring against you are now dead?" He spoke in a teasing tone, no sign of true accusation in his voice.

Annabelle didn't even blink at his remark. "I doubt that they were the only ones plotting against me. Which is rather sad, considering you all chose me as your leader." Her voice grew louder with every word. "We should be standing together, fighting against our common enemy, the king, not against each other!"

"Then why aren't we fighting the King?" A voice called out from the crowd.

"Yes, Annabelle, why aren't we?" Ryland agreed, narrowing his eyes at the nymph.

Annabelle took a moment to contemplate. "You're right. We have waited around far too long! I am done watching our people get slaughtered by those so called soldiers. As your leader, I want to protect you. I want to lead you to victory. Together, we will rise and watch that kingdom crumble under our feet! I want to paint their castle red, destroy them. And all I ask, is that we stand by each other and do this side by side." All of her people watched her in silence, awaiting her next word.

"Brace yourselves." A wolfish grin crossed her face as she spoke her final, culminate words.

"We're going to war."