• The Alumist



    September 23rd


    Victoria spoke three words very softly. Then immediately a small house, acres away from the countryside that Minako resided, furiously alit. Victoria panicked as she tried to scurry along the floor to get out of the building. Carefully, to make sure not a single clue of evidence is found, Victoria slyly snuck out the back door. She was safe. No one was around; of course, it was the middle of the night. Victoria took the heavy black silken robe off of her head and back and threw it in the alit building. The fire was burning without any mercy. It was not showing any signs of stopping.
    A few hours later, after the sun greeted the people of Mortez, Victoria lay in her bed, pretending as if she slept there all night. She realized she could not get any more rest at this point. Angrily, she popped off her Switzerland imported blanket just to find a commotion outside of her window. The people of the small village were rambling and making a huge ruckus. Whatever could it be about, Victoria wondered. She rubbed her fine chin in curiosity. The Qourtsey, the yearly annual contest for masters to find servants was coming up really soon. Demetrius, the finest lad among the masters, belonged to Victoria. She was sure of it. No one surpassed – or even came remotely close to her beauty. Not even Minako now. After all, fortune tellers and having a lot of money can solve “problems”. That ignorant, naïve, Minako; Victoria thought to herself. She sought a fortune teller to her doom instead of to her future. Tee hee hee. Victoria quietly cackled to herself.
    Outside of Victoria’s large cottage, the ruckus became fiercer. Soon enough, Victoria could not take it anymore. She decided it was time to end it. After all she needed her beauty rest. So she dashed down her hallway to grab her favorite animal fur robe, swept a brush through her long, wavy, ash blonde hair, and headed out the door. Right before she attempted to open her front door, the doorbell rang. Victoria’s heart jumped out of her chest. She took a deep breath and opened the door. There stood the village policeman, who happened to be a handsome one.
    “Good morning, mademoiselle. May I ask where you were located this fine morning?” The policeman requested politely.
    Victoria, trying not to look guilty, answered calmly, “In my soft canopy bed, earning my beauty rest. I was rudely interrupted by the ruckus out here. Whatever is the matter, Officer?” She said “officer” with a slight curtsy and flickered her naturally long lashed.
    The policeman nervously took a deep swallow and replied, “There was an violent, unexpected fire right outside the village.”
    “Oh me, oh my. That’s terrible. Was anyone hurt?” Victoria asked, knowing well no one was around.
    “There were no signs of life, thank goodness. That is all the questions I have, madam. Farewell and have a splendid day.” And at that, the policeman walked to the next house down and questioned Victoria’s neighbor.
    Oh I see, he’s going around door-to-door questioning everyone in the village. I was not pen-pointed. Thank goodness. Victoria thought to herself as she pecked her pendant on her neck. It was given to her by her grandmother. A very sacred and rare jewel, the pendant was like a god to Victoria and she kissed it every time she felt grateful. She eased back inside her door, but before she was able to properly close her door she heard a shutter-like noise.