The Survivors

Eleven

As they all sat in the lounge, a silent happiness resided in them. It was silly how people could be happy after witnessing multiple murders in one night, but that wasn't what they were thinking about.

Yellow was thinking about her dance with Diane and how her brother wasn't being cruel on purpose.

Red was thinking about how much he was loved by his sister and cousin.

Bloody Mary was thinking about his sweet Rocky Road.

Rocky Road was asleep, and dreaming sweet dreams of ice cream and ale.

Diane wasn't thinking, she was hoping. She hoped for Yellow to win- she hoped to marry her. She hoped she would have a family, and she hoped Red would be okay.

"I'm sorry to ask this, Empress, but why is it- no, how is it, you are Empress. You have no signs of parents, let alone ones who ruled before you. So, how are you our Supreme ruler?" Bloody leaned in, smiling. "I've always wondered."

"Is that really something appropriate to ask, cousin?!" Yellow hissed, flabbergasted.

"It's a mere question, Yellow. As a citizen, I should know who my ruler is."

"You need manners!"

"I have plenty, and I also have questions."

"It's alright, Yellow. I'll tell you my story, only because I consider most of you close friends." She cast an unsure glance at Rocky Road.

"He won't wake up until dawn. He always wakes with the sun."

"If I do tell you all how I became Empress, then you all have to tell me a story of your own."

They all exchanged nods. "We accept," Yellow smiled at her shyly. She couldn't help but notice the fear in Diane's eyes, as if her story could lead to something awful. She felt bad about wanting to know who the woman she was in love with is.

Diane began her story with a sigh. "I was born to a pair of very infamous thieves. They didn't want to be caught and executed, thus leaving me an orphan, so they decided to leave our kingdom. Late one night, their bags packed and with me in their arms, they climbed the wall and ran far into the Outside. After days of traveling, they met a small group of people.

"These people were just like the people here: changed, magical, and monstrous," she paused, looking at her lap with a sad smile. "The tribe had found a cave system to live in, and they gladly let my parents and I live with them.

"When I was eleven, my parents got caught in an acid-rainstorm. They both died and I saw their bodies. Well, what was left of them. They were just bones and hair. My dad still had one eyeball, but that was it."

Yellow reached over and took her hand shyly, not sure how else to comfort the nearly sobbing Empress.

Diane smiled and squeezed her hand. "I was an orphan and alone. The tribe had trouble taking care of me, as they had their own children to care for."

"That's terrible, Diane," Red rubbed her shoulder. "Please continue."

She nodded and sighed. "When I was 15 the roof of the cave collapsed and killed nearly everyone. The survivors and I left towards the jungle, but we were caught in a stampede. Only a boy and myself were left, and he wanted to reproduce. I told him no, and he tried to make me go into an acid pond. I panicked and pushed him in when he grabbed me. His screams still haunt me.

"As I ventured on my own, using skills and my magic to survive, I began to remember stories my parents told me about a kingdom where there was no acid rain and no giant snakes. I searched for so long, and I finally found the wall. When I approached, the guardsmen were shocked. I told them I was the daughter of James and Opal Westbury and they let me in. I showed off my magic, creating a giant wall of fire behind me as I walked through the fields towards the villages.

"They wanted me to stop, but Emperor Fredrick saw me and took me in. He was getting older, and he taught me all he could about everything he could. I gained the throne at age nineteen, and have been ruling for three years."

"So it's true what they say? That the Empress appeared one might with a wall of flames a mile long and fifty feet high?" Yellow looked at her in awe.

"I suppose so, Yellow Wine," Diane smiled softly.

They sat quietly for a long time, processing her words and trying to find the right things to say.

Finally, Bloody Mary spoke up: "well, who's next?"

Red sat up taller. "I will go."

They exchanged stories for hours into the night, laughing and smiling, sometimes even crying. They didn't feel like rulers or people of power.

They were amongst friends.