Collection

The Hero Dying for the Villains?

Inspired by the Song 116 by Trip Lee

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Debora closed her eyes as she leaned against the window. She was finally flying home for the holidays after an incredibly exhausting week. She felt emotionally and mentally strained. Someone cleared their throat above her from the aisle of the plane. She opened her eyes and frowned at an older looking gentleman who gave her a grin.

"Can I help you?" Debora said with a strained smile. The man nodded before speaking.

"Yes, sorry, I was wondering if I could employ this seat next to you if you don't mind, miss . . . ?"

"Lillian, call me Debora, and yes, of course, you can have the seat." As the man proceeded to put his carry on into the overhead compartment, Debora once again turned to the window intending to ignore the man and sleep.

"Oh, forgive me I never introduced myself, my name is Levi, Levi Cranston. I must thank you for allowing me to sit here Miss Lillian." Debora held back a groan and once again smiled at Levi.

"Of course, it's really no problem. And it's Debora, I insist." Levi grinned and nodded before turning away and humming some odd tune. Little trumpets of victory began to play in Debora's head as she once again turned to the window. A few minutes later safety instructions were given and the plane began to ascend.

Debora slept for awhile, she wasn't quite sure how long, before waking and finding the complimentary pretzels and a water in front of her. She chanced a glance to her left and saw Levi deep into a small book, silently munching on peanuts. He seemed completely invested in whatever book he was reading. She turned back to the window and snacked on her pretzels, until, that is the curiosity overcame her.

"If you don't mind my asking, what book are you reading?" Levi jerked his head up almost startled, before looking at her contemplating. He smiled before closing the book.

"Why it's the best story ever written I should say. It has mystery, adventure, history, a little bit of romance. And that's only one of the stories. You see this book here is a collection. Would you like to hear the one I was reading so fervently?" Debora considered the grey haired man in front of her. She smiled, for real this time, before nodding. Levi grinned wider.

"Well here's the setup. There once was a great, wise, good, and kind very, very kind king who ruled over his people. He had a son who was just as wise, and good. This king and this prince loved their people very much and did whatever they could to protect the citizens, to take care of them, but the people never gave any thanks. The people didn't even realize they had a king or prince at all! 

They came up with odd reasons as to why they had farming land, reasons as to where the laws they followed came from, and they didn't even recognize the big shining palace that had its gates open every day for them to come through it and meet with the king and his son." Debora frowned and raised her hand to pause the man. He quirked an eyebrow questioningly.

"Is there a reason these people didn't see the king and his palace? Were they all blind or something?"

"Ah, you see, in a way they were. In the land of this great king was a squire who was vile, greedy, hateful, and proud. He destroyed homes, lives, and people everywhere he went. But the people loved him because he promised them riches, he promised them pleasure, and all the good things under the sun, which the good king was already offering the people. That squire was lying, he simply wished to overthrow the king and take everything for his own.

So as one by one the people of the kingdoms began to follow the evil squire he grew in his hate and spite and turned more people to his evil deeds, his cruel living. More and more died.