The Dark Kingdom Anthology

by Krissy V

  “Triple threat,” his partner adds, pleased with his quip. These two are obviously mocking me. They both sit there delighted with themselves.

  “Five years at University to become a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, then two years, working in someone else’s practice.” He mocks, as he thumbs through the paperwork in front of him. Obviously it’s all about me. “You work your backside off at another practice, getting all that money together to start up your own practice. That took you, what? Two years… Inspiring.” He nods his head genuinely impressed.

  “Yeah, impressive,” his partner adds, trying his hardest to be a double act.

  “What a shame, to go through all of that, and for this result?” He looks at me for an answer. He can’t make any sense of it all.

  “Have you seen my wife?” I stare at him like derrrrrr? Mocking him back.

  “She’s NOT your wife!!” His partner snaps leaning over the table aggressively. He sees the glint in my eye, due to him losing his cool. We stare each other down, as he takes a deep breath and distances himself from me, trying to regain his composure.

  “We know the how Edward; we just want to know why?” The main detective asks calmly, as I stare at him, I scoff with the ridiculousness of this all. “Why? Explain it to me Edward so I’ll understand.” I stare at him nonchalantly, shaking my head. They’re not listening to me. “You’re a good looking guy,” he looks back at his partner, who is still sulking and has now folded his arms across his chest, reluctantly nodding his agreement. “We’ve seen your body and can I just say wow…”

  “Yeah, wow…” the partner chirps, but he’s clearly not a happy bunny.

  “If you don’t mind me saying, you don’t seem the type to have an issue in attracting ladies.” He leans in. “If you know what I mean.”

  “We’re married,” I answer wearily. What is with these morons?

  “I can see we’re getting nowhere fast,” the main detective looks at his watch and sighs, as he lightly throws down the file he has on me, onto the table and they both leave the interview room.

  I watch them both leave the interview room, leaving me alone, wondering, what must my beloved Aurora be thinking about all of this stupidness with the police and this utterly ridiculous situation?

  Her ex has a lot to answer for… And he will, mark my words…

  I sit there patiently and wait, looking into the mirror, that I know is a two way mirror, blissfully thinking about my Aurora…

  The two detectives left the interview room despondent and spoke to the Custody Sergeant. They knew they weren’t getting anything from Edward, especially as he hadn’t asked for his legal advice yet, citing he didn’t need it… As he and Aurora are married.

  The Police Surgeon (their doctor on call,) was called in, to interview and assess Edward, checking if he had any medical or mental health needs that required addressing during his period of arrest and questioning.

  It was deemed that Edward was in fact, quite mentally unfit, and was moved to a psychiatric unit to be assessed further.

  For the last six months, Edward has been a resident in their high security wing…

  He still professes that he is happily married to Aurora…

  He has made no progress in his treatment and is heavily medicated, due to his violent outbursts.

  Aurora, however, made a full recovery and thankfully doesn’t remember anything, bar a vague memory of a lovely beach.

  All traces of the drugs left her system and had no lasting effects. She is currently dating one of the officers, from the Police Tactical Unit, that were on the scene at the time of Edward’s arrest… A highly decorated officer called ‘Peter Phillips’.

  They have announced their engagement and are due to marry in three months time. She will have her contraception implant removed next month, as they wish to start a family…

  As for the cabin in the woods… It mysteriously burned down, just before Aurora officially moved in with Peter…

  It was reported that a rubbish fire had been set 75 feet (23 m) from the cabin, by a cleaning crew tasked with disposing of rubbish. Arson was mentioned, but the cause of the fire was never officially determined and not treated as suspicious. - The case was closed as an ‘accidental fire’.

  The owner of the cabin and the locals are not the only ones delighted with this outcome…

  However, it has since emerged, that a mysterious buyer still makes numerous attempts to purchase the site…

  …Their offers are turned down… Categorically…

  The site where the cabin once stood, has become impenetrable and wonderfully overgrown with razor-sharp Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), hiding all traces of the former cabin that stood there. It is rumoured, that the locals have been spotted at the site, in the dead of night, throwing large quantities of a ‘well known’ plant food, that’s supposedly helped the extraordinary and miraculous growth of the thorny Hawthorn.

  They are not so welcoming to strangers now, due to its short lived time as an unpleasant, unwanted and macabre, tourist attraction.

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  Something else to read by Samantha….

  The Cleaners’ Daughter

  Chapter One

  I stared out the wall of windows as I have stared out them every day for as long as I can remember. I watch the birds as they soar through the open sky in ways I can only dream about. Their freedom as they skyrocket up and down between the buildings is both inspiring and maddening to me.

  I glance down at the small people, way below my windows, scurrying about on their way to a life I could never have. I wish I knew where they were going and what they were planning to do. A piece of crumpled paper sails past my glass cage, lofted about by the wind, tossing and turning, blown about on its way to an unknown adventure.

  I cracked the window and held my arm out, feeling the strong winds blow against my pale skin. A gust blew through the window, and my long blonde hair flew out behind me, tossing as the breeze blessed me with its frigid blast of air. What I wouldn’t give to feel it on my body as it caused goose flesh to ripple across my naked skin. But that was not my destiny.

  My reflection in the window made me giggle. I had grown into a man but I still felt like a child.

  I was nineteen years old, and all I have ever known were these rooms. The only person I had ever spoken to was my father. He used to live here with me, but once I was old enough to take care of myself, he left and visited almost every day. He taught me so many things. He was a scholar and shared his knowledge with me whenever we were together. Our days were spent reading and pouring over the books that he brought to teach me about a world I could never visit. At night I used the gym he had created when I turned twelve. An entire room of equipment and weights, just for me, installed so I could remain healthy in my solitude.

  I was unique and the world was a dangerous place for someone like me. Whenever I voiced a desire to come down from my glass tower, Father would remind me of why I was confined here. My body couldn’t survive around other people. I would get sick and die if I ever left these walls. My Father did his best and I wanted for nothing. He was a wealthy man and we lived in the penthouse of one of the tallest buildings in the city. A city I dreamed about exploring, even though I knew I never would.

  My prison was at least beautiful.

  My tower was lonely. Whenever my father had workmen into our home, I had to stay confined, so their germs could not touch me. He cleaned and disinfected the place before I was allowed to come back out of my sterile bedroom.

  The penthouse was a vast place with many rooms, and I longed to share it with someone. I craved a companion to talk to, a stranger to break apart the slow passing of time and give me a moments’ respite from my existence.

  I understood the conditions that fate had placed on me. I did want to live, even when living felt like a never-ending chore. I realized that my father was as much a slave to my illness as I was. It was just the two of us, always.

  Fathe
r said I was one of the most handsome men in the world, and I took pride in that, keeping my body in excellent shape, and my long hair silky and clean. I liked to stand in the mirror and rub my hands against the hard muscles that had formed over the last few years. I hardly ever wore clothes except when my father visited. What was the point?

  I had grown concerned over the last couple of weeks. Father had not visited, and my solitude felt more crushing than ever. I waited for him every day, sitting by the door so I could throw my arms around him when he entered. But the door never opened. The sinking feeling in my stomach told me it might never open again.

  The groceries somehow still appeared outside the door every week, and I had no idea what I would do if they ever stopped. My father said they were being delivered by a place he trusted who understood how important it was for them to knock and leave. I would wait a few minutes to make sure they were gone before I opened the door and pulled them inside. Even an accidental touch could be catastrophic for me.

  What if Father never showed up again?

  The sun rose and set many times, and I had no tears left. I felt nothing. I was going to die here alone and no one even knew I was alive. My stomach kept rumbling. Why should I eat? Why live a life that was a mirage?

  Terrifying thoughts started flashing through my head, and I will never know if I would have had the strength to follow through with my sinister desires because at that moment, I heard the key in the lock.

  I scooted back against the wall.

  “Danny?” I heard his voice on the other side of the door before it opened. “Danny, don’t be scared.”

  “Father?” My voice was harsh. My throat was dry. I hadn’t spoken in days, and all I could accomplish was a croak.

  The door opened, and Father rolled into the room in a chair on wheels. A tall and thick man with a dark beard pushed the chair, my father slumped upon it. He looked pale and wilted, like a flower that had lost its life and was drying out.

  I stared at him and couldn’t find the words. I felt the wall against my back and realized I was naked. The man pushing the chair stared at me. I flew to my feet and scurried down the hall and slammed the door to my room. I heard the chair’s wheels on the hardwood floor as he rolled into the sitting room. I dressed quickly and ran the brush through my long locks. The person reflected back to me in the mirror was scared and small. I stood up straight and pulled my shoulders back.

  “Danny?” Father called, his voice muffled through my heavy door. “It’s okay, son. You can come out. It’s safe. There’s no reason for you to be scared, Danny. I need to explain what’s happening, what will happen. Please come out.” His voice sounded weak and wheezy. Father was old. He was old when I was born.

  I opened the door, its slow creak signaling my arrival, and both men gazed at me as I carefully took my first step into the cavernous room. The tall man made me uneasy. His small eyes narrowed as he ogled me, a slight sneer upon his face.

  “Sit down, Danny.” Father sounded tired. It was taking all of his energy to be here. I could see him fading as he tried to take a deep breath.

  My feet dragged heavily on the floor. My heart raced, and I felt the air chill around me. My fears were running rampant. Who was this man and what did he do to my father?

  “Danny, I need you to meet my brother… Benjamin Gothel, your…uh… uncle.” Father’s eyes were glazed. Perhaps it was guilt for never telling me that we had other family in the world. I stared at him, trying to keep the accusation from my eyes. Father looked as if he were hurt enough.

  “Danny… It’s very nice to meet you. I’m sure you have quite a few questions?” My uncle gestured for me to sit. I complied, a slave to my duty.

  “Many,” I managed to say without screaming. This was life-changing; nothing would ever be the same. I could feel a trickle of sweat on my neck. My nerves were raw and edgy. I had an uncle? Who else did I have in the world that I had never met?

  “I’m sure, Son,” Father said. Uncle Benjamin sniffed and glared at him. I took a deep breath and readied myself for what I was about to discover. “Danny, I am dying. I can’t sugarcoat this for you because it is happening fast. I have been in the hospital for the last couple of weeks, and I have decided that I will not be going back. Do you understand?”

  I shivered. Tears rolled down my face, and I gasped for breath. I stood up and fell into him, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him close. How many more hugs would I get? There was so much I still wanted him to show me, secrets I wanted him to share. He held me and let me cry until I could cry no more. My emotion spent for the time being, but I knew it would return with a vengeance.

  “When?” I managed to say, shuddering with fear.

  “I only have weeks to live, son. I will stay here, and Benjamin will help take care of me until I go. I would like to be close to you, son. Can you handle it?” He caressed my hair, his fingers running through my thick threads.

  “Yes, Father. I want to be with you,” I whispered. I felt as if the ground was opening up beneath me. My heart was racing so fast I could hear it’s pounding in my head.

  “Your Uncle will be taking care of you, Danny. He has agreed to look after you when I am gone.” He looked over his shoulder to his brother. There was something odd between them. Maybe I was a surprise to him too. I nodded.

  We spent the night talking until Father said he was too tired to stay awake any longer. My uncle was quiet for most of the night, but his eyes followed me around. I didn’t know him, and I was glad to have a family member to help take care of me. But he also scared me. Hopefully, we would learn to love each other. We were family after all.

  Father lasted three weeks before he breathed his last breath. I held his hand as he left me forever. Uncle Benjamin shed no tears, his stoic and stern face calm as his brother moved on. I retired to my room and cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, Father and Uncle Benjamin were gone.

  I didn’t see my new caretaker for another week. Then everything changed.

  Chapter Two

  “Uncle Benjamin,” I greeted him as he opened the door. I was dressed in my white linen jumper and was actually glad to see him, even though it was apparent he had not warmed up to me over the last month. He brushed past me and went to my father’s bar. I could feel a chill crawl up my spine.

  “You have everything you need, boy?” he asked casually, pouring himself some of Father’s amber liquid and downing it in one gulp.

  “Yes, uncle. They delivered to me a couple of days ago.” I walked over and sat on the couch, pulling my feet under me and wrapping my arms around myself. “I miss him, uncle.”

  “Kid,” he scoffed, a sneer on his face. “Call me, Ben. I am not your uncle.” He turned back to the bar and poured himself another.

  I was confused and didn’t understand what he meant. He was my father’s brother, wasn’t he?

  “I’m sorry, unc… I mean, Ben.” I said quietly.

  He meandered over and sat down beside me.

  “You don’t know… My brother was not really your father, Danny. He paid for you when you were a baby. Your mother was a whore, and she sold you to him when you were just a brat.” He smiled at me. He was enjoying lying to me, trying to hurt me. His cruel smile showed me the truth.

  “That’s not true.” My voice cracked. But the doubt had crept in. “He told me my mother was ill and died shortly after having me. He loved her.”

  “He paid her, Danny. And according to Jonathan, she did die shortly after she sold you to him. She overdosed. So that part was true. Jonathan lived his fantasy with you. He was never married and wanted a child. He found you when he paid your mother for sex. She was glad to get rid of you, I’m sure. But he was ecstatic to become your father. I think you need to know the truth, Danny. I’m not telling you these things to hurt you, I hope you understand that. I hate lies, and my brother was an expert at them. I didn’t even know you existed… But I promised him I would take care of you. You want me to take care of you, don’t you?
” He took a sip of his drink and peered at me over the glass. His eyes darted over me, taking me in. I wanted to hide behind my hair, to prevent him from seeing me. He made me feel uneasy for some reason.

  “I… I’m sorry, but… I can’t understand this. Why would my father lie to me?” I slowly shook my head, trying to understand what I was being told.

  “He loved you, Danny. I have no doubt about that. He left you everything in his will and appointed me to be your guardian since you cannot take care of yourself,” he said snidely. There was no compassion in his voice.

  “I do take care of myself,” I muttered. I felt as if there was an electric current running through my emotions.

  “Oh, you do, do you?” His laughter was like sandpaper. “You have no clue, boy. You are a prisoner in this place and can never leave, you little brat. My brother may have saved you from a life of poverty and coddled you with his affection, but you will not get that from me. I expect things from you, Danny, and if you listen to me, I will make sure that even though you can’t leave this place, you will still have a life. Do you trust me?” he leaned closer to me, and I could feel his breath, hot and heavy as it permeated my space.

  “No,” I said, glaring back at him. “I do not trust you, Uncle Benjamin.”

  He threw his head back and roared with laughter before he scooted over beside me and placed his hand on my knee making me flinch. “Good. Human beings are never worth your trust, boy. But I will take care of you. However, everything comes with a price, Danny. You’ll learn that soon, too.” He stood up and set the empty glass on the table and walked towards the door. “Jonathan told me that he thought you were like me. Are you attracted to boys, Danny?”