The Villainous Hero

 

How Most of us Wake Up

Duchess rose from her chariot of fire, cackling evilly. Her head of ebony hair was thrown back, and her gnarled finger extended towards Commander Neptune. Commander Neptune coughed, slowly rising from his knees; dust caked his striking blond hair, reducing it to a musty brown. Duchess' pale skin pulled itself unnaturally over her teeth, giving her the look of a jackal as she stared down at him in victory. But little did she know Commander's true plan. As if she could ever defeat a hero. Mirror Girl crept up behind her, palms filled with blue smoke. Commander looked up and smiled for a fraction of a second. Realization hit her, and she spun around in horror, eyes wide. But it was too late for Duchess. Mirror Girl slammed her palms into Duchess’ chest, toppling the villain off of her chariot. Duchess looked around frantically until her eyes found mine; she leaped forward, her mouth hanging wide open, and shrieked my name. Her sharp, claw-like hands reached for me.

“GLACIA!” she wailed, as if to take me down with her. But the blue light expanded in her chest, eating away at her existence.

“GLACIA!” she cried again; the voice was terrifyingly familiar. I heard something pounding; maybe it was my heart. Commander Neptune flew forward valiantly, determined to stop her cries once and for all. His blue cape sailed through the wind, rippling slightly. He opened his mouth, looking at me with his piercing blue eyes, but then his face contorted and my mother's voice screeched out of his mouth.

“GLACIAAAA!!” he bellowed. I stared at my comic book in horror.

“I'M GOING TO CHOP OF YOUR HEAD AND BOIL IT FOR DINNER. WHAT'S TAKING YOU SO LONG?” I jerked back, and my reading light fell with an almighty thump, leading to a crescendo of screams from outside my room. Ah, that's who it was. I pulled the blue silky blanket off from over my head, and bright sunlight hit me even from behind my closed curtains. I groaned. Had I been reading all night? Shoving my comics under my pillow, I rolled off my bed, and the mattress creaked beneath me before I landed on the lavish floor. It had meant to be all quiet, all ninja and cool and stuff, but it came out a little louder than expected, and the floor vibrated around me with a resounding thud.

My room was larger than the average girl, but I was in fact not an average girl. My father was a wealthy man who worked with estates, buying and selling property, while my mother was a diplomat. Of course, neither were home often, but that didn't bother me much. After all, that money ultimately went to me. To my ivory bed stands and walking closet the size of another room, my jewelry box of museum worthy accessories, and bathroom fit for a queen. But alas, despite all this, the one thing I really wanted fell outside the range of “poised, elegant and proper.” So the bartered stash must remain concealed under pillows and hidden in the deepest depths of my vast closet. The thought was so depressing I let out a forlorn sigh as I stared longingly at the slightly rumpled satin pillow.

 

It's too Early for a Villainous Encounter

“What are you doing in there? Have you finished your shower? Your class starts in five minutes!” my mother shrieked on. She was going to lose her voice at some point today, I could already tell. I scrambled to my feet, tuning her out as I dashed into the bathroom, sliding on the smooth beige carpet. The frigid cold of white tile tingled my feet, so I hopped as I ripped off my satin nightgown and searched for something to wear. I mentally kicked myself for forgetting to visit the east wing to pick up my freshly ironed clothes, and I couldn't risk sneaking out the door to my massive closet either. I hesitated for a moment, and my mother's shrieks filled my ears once again.

“Did you brush your teeth? Comb your hair?! You better be finishing up right now!” I sighed and dived into my laundry for something clean-ish to wear. I fished out a flouncy sundress with pearls along the bottom and pulled it on. I walked over to the mirror and ran my fingers through my reddish brown hair. I stared at my reflection assessing my work. My outfit might pass, but the dark circles around my eyes made me look like a racoon. Curse this pale skin. I crouched down, ignoring the painful sound of my knee cracking and opened the cabinets under the seashell adorned sink until I found the right section. Aha! ….My heart sank as I stared at the rows of identically colored powders. I splayed my hand out in front of me, attempting to find the right color, but they all seemed off. I groaned; if only my friend Sadie were here. Where were maids when you need them, huh? 

“Glacia?!” my mother called.

“COMING MOM,” I belted , slamming the giant oak cabinet next to me to emphasize. This seemed to appease her, and she quieted down a bit while I tried on powders.

After I was satisfied I finally closed the powder boxes I had taken out and set them on the sink top. I swiped the remaining particles off the granite, drying the countertop in the process. I looked a little yellow around the eyes, but it wasn't too noticeable. My mother started up the yelling again, so I ran the tips of my hair under the sink to add to the effect and popped a mint in my mouth. I grabbed my phone off my nightstand and hid it in the folds of my dress. Turning swiftly, I slid into a pair of heels. Then I charged to the door, throwing it open and stumbling out.

My mother stopped mid sentence, her mouth hanging open. She quickly arranged herself, smoothing down the dark brown fly hairs and clearing her throat. I frowned. She had caramel skin and dark hair, so how did I end up with such pale skin? She was so frazzled; she didn't take a second glance at my attire. Phew. She retucked the blindingly white dress shirt she was wearing and straightened the cuffs of her suit. I twiddled with the ends of my dress awkwardly, trying to seem important.

“Let's go to etiquette first, shall we?” she said, forcing a fake cheer into her voice. I gulped.         

“Madam Hearts?” I asked, confirming. I was not in any mood to fight any evil forces today. Mom nodded- a little too enthusiastically.

“How long will it take you to memorize the schedule, Dear?” she said exasperatedly. I shrugged, twirling my phone in my hands behind my back.

She sighed and closed her hand around my bicep. For a queen she had a surprisingly strong grip. We sped past security guards, who oozed profession as they stood stoically with crisp gloves and navy suits adorned with medals. But even they veered clear out of our way, practically hugging the hallways. Even they had no desire to get involved with where I was going. We rounded the corner, and she deposited me on the threshold of Madam Hearts’ room. I turned to say goodbye or maybe plead for strength, but she had left me all on my own.

I stepped forward timidly, bouncing on the balls of my feet so my heels wouldn't click on the ground. My feet pressed onto the black tile as I made my way over to the fancy table she had set. It was such a large room I felt smaller than ever; I was sure my heartbeat could be heard echoing off the blood red walls.

Madam Hearts herself sat with her back facing me. She sat in one of those tall black chairs you see in vampire movies, but this was red and curved in at the top like a heart. This somehow made it all the more terrifying. She was sitting in front of a window, but it was so bright outside she had to close the curtains so she could appear more terrifying. Nevertheless, shards of light crept through, brightening the otherwise dark room. Scary. It's a common strategy for evil beings, I told myself. Don't be fooled. Nevertheless, my hands shook as I uselessly tried to hide my phone behind my back. The chair slowly wheeled around with a soft hiss, and I gulped again, nearly swallowing what was left of my mint, as she came into view. Her neatly arranged straight white hair shadowed her high cheekbones. She held a glass of deep red wine to her brightly dyed lips and sipped lightly. She smiled at me, and I noticed not a single lipstick mark on the rim of her clean glass. Her cold gray eyes looked down at me haughtily, scrutinizing me. A small wrinkle appeared on her sharp chin. I straightened my spine while clenching my hands and held my chin higher, narrowing my eyes at her. Her taciturn smile only grew bigger. Her eyes roamed my face, and she smirked as she noted the sad attempt to cover up the dark circles around my eyes.

“Is that a frosting stain under your collar, Miss Glacia?” she spoke softly. My composure wobbled.

“Um.” I cringed at my eloquence and racked my drowsy brain for something smart to say.

“Or is that smear perhaps a byproduct, of your late-night activities?” My heart sped up, and an image flashed through my brain; a corner of my comic peeking out the side of my pillow, I shoved away the thought immediately.

“M-Mirror Girl shows no fear!” I squeaked. I wanted to shove my comic books into my mouth as soon as the words rolled off my tongue. Never again would I stay up that late reading comics. Madam Hearts laughed as rudely as her conscience would allow. I dropped my head to my chest, feeling my cheeks burn in humiliation. She laughed for a good two minutes, and by the time she had finished, I just wanted to die.

The Villain Makes the First Move

“Let's begin our lesson today, shall we?” She said, sliding smoothly out of her chair. I nodded, grateful for the change in subject. I finally scampered over to a chair at the middle of the room. “Today we will be learning the history and uses of silverware….” She continued, but I suddenly had a brilliant plan for retribution. I looked up at her attentively with big doe eyes, nodding my head vigorously when I assumed it was necessary. I caught a few words like “oyster fork” and “sundae spoon.” Nothing I needed to know to carry out my brilliant plan. “....And now let us practice,” she finished. She flitted her fingers at the butler standing in the middle of the room, gesturing him to come forward. He sideled over tentatively and carefully placed the assorted foods and silverware onto our table. I scanned the cutlery, preparing to execute my scheme. I had quite a bit of time, considering that Madam yelled at the poor butler every few seconds.

“No! The salad spoon goes one centimeter away from the soup spoon, not ¾ of an inch!” she screeched at the poor butler. He ducked his head and mumbled his apologies before correcting his mistakes. When he was done, he wiped his shiny forehead with the back of his hand and exhaled roughly. I looked at him sympathetically as he hurried away, dragging the silver cart away as quietly as possible. He discreetly rolled his eyes at me, gesturing at Madam. I took this as a good omen for the events to come.

As Madam Hearts walked over to my side, muttering under her breath, I rolled up my nonexistent sleeves and cracked my knuckles. The sound awakened Madam from her rant and her head snapped up. I expertly lifted my tea spoon with my pinky lifted and all, and…. used it to stab my tomato. Madam gasped in horror, unprepared for the sudden attack. I looked up innocently and swallowed the cherry tomato in one bite. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish as multiple shades of red and purple crossed her face. Victory coursed through my veins. I set down the spoon and let my hand hover over the table, wiggling my fingers dramatically. Madam Hearts reached out as if to stop me, mouth slightly agape. My hand slowly descended upon the meat forks, and I closed my fingers around the cool metal. I put one in my left hand and the other in the right. Oh yes I did. My left hand. The blood drained from Madam's face altogether, and she stared at me angrily, lips moving in incomprehensive words. I slowly raised my fists over the bread, wielding my meat forks in both hands.

“You wouldn't,” she said breathlessly. I simply looked at her, and then I brought my hands down.

I Almost Avoid the Unavoidable

Madam Hearts let out an unearthly wail and sunk to the floor as though I’d stabbed her instead. I sat back calmly, chewing my bread pieces off the ends of my fork, mildly surprised no guards had come running.

“May I be dismissed now?” I asked politely between bites. Madam looked at me through a haze of secondary pain and nodded her head with gritted teeth. I swallowed my last bits of bread and skipped out the room, my heels clicking obnoxiously along the floor. I reached out and curled my fingers around the doorframe, swinging around the corner. My victory was stopped short as my face collided with something hard.

“Oomph,” I muttered, rubbing my face. I peered up, slightly annoyed to see what I had bumped into. Warm brown eyes looked down at me, sparkling with humor.

“Carter!” I gasped. He grinned widely, showing a perfectly dimpled smile.

“In the flesh Princess. What mayhem have you caused so early in the morning?” he asked. I pulled myself up proudly, straightening my spine.

“Nothing out of the ordinary. Just vanquishing evil as usual,” I said in my most dignified voice. He chuckled.

“Who was the poor villain today?” he asked, running a hand through his unruly mass of dark brown hair.

“Madam Heart's,” I said haughtily. He looked mildly impressed.

“What did you do this time?”

“Well….” I explained my valiant tale with great detail, to which Carter nodded his head enthusiastically. I couldn't tell if he was genuinely interested or simply mocking me. I’d like to think it was the first. “...and so here I stand, victorious!” I finished, flourishing my arm dramatically. He sniggered.

“Your mom’s gonna be so mad.”

“Cripes! I forgot about that!” I squealed. If I could make it to dance class without seeing my mother, then maybe I could hold off her wrath just a bit longer.

“Well then, gotta go!” I said brightly. Carter was now leaning on the door frame, arms casually crossed over his chest, looking quite amused. Take note that he too had skin darker than mine. I made a face at him before darting down the red velvety carpet. I scurried up the stairs, hopping over two at a time. I reached out and grabbed the end of the pale wooden banister and skidded around, squealing gleefully. Gathering my balance, I charged down the long hallway; my feet pounded down and the boisterous thuds echoed through the hallways.

A class of young royals singing the national anthem faltered slightly as they saw my blur run by their open door. I ignored the thrill that ran through me as I picked up speed and focused on the task at hand. A few yards to go and my mother was nowhere in sight.

I was so close now I could make out the elaborate carvings of the open door of the dance room. The sunlight cascaded out the door, making the red carpeting look slightly pinkish.

I dropped to the ground, sliding for the pale splotch of color like it was home plate. Hot pain burned along my legs, but I ignored it, skidding down the remaining hallway.  The blazing ray of sun warmed my legs before flashing into my face, blinding me momentarily. As soon as the warmth came, it was gone. BAM. Then came a sinking feeling as I heard a familiar startled yelp from above; seconds before I slammed into them, my face making a painful, unplanned visit with the floor, as they tumbled down on top of me.

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Ugh.. my head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. I blinked hazily, trying to bring the blank white ceiling above me into focus. My whole body was heavy, but at least I was conscious. I dragged myself upright, hissing as a dart of pain raced through my head. I turned slowly, taking in my surroundings; the scent of lysol assaulted my nose, making me dizzy. I was in the medical wing alright.

A body hooked up to a bunch of beeping machines lay beside me.  Squinting, I leaned over to get  a better look. Holy…. I gulped, was that my mother? Her head was wrapped in bandages and her cast encased leg suspended in air. Yesterday's playful crime reenacted through my head. I gulped guiltily; had this all been my fault? I must have collided with my mother when I was running down the halls to dance class since I was late. Oops. I totally blame that on Carter.

Clumsily, I lifted my hands to pat my own head, surprised to find it wrapped in bandages. Lovely. A sudden panic surged through me, and I shivered through the thin gown. Like what time was it? What day was it even? How long had I been out? A bubbly laugh of hysteria rose up. I was like Princess Ginger every time she got knocked out, even after beating someone twice her size. I swallowed it down; now was not the time for this.

I made to get out of the elevated bed, wriggling on the crinkled paper, when I noticed a small purple envelope placed on the bed stand beside me, placed between varias bottles and tools. Grabbing it, I settled back into the medical bed, sinking into the not so soft pillows. Across the top “Glacia” was written in a familiar neat script. Pulling the letter out of the envelope, I inhaled the lavender scent. It must be from Sadie. The paper held only two words: “Your Father.” I let out a frustrated sigh. That maid was so elusive;she was so much more fun when she was younger.

I kicked up the blankets with my feet, letting them thud noisily back down on the mattress. As if cued our medical doctor, Mr. Erland, walked in. I slid the paper and envelope together and shoved it under the covers in one smooth motion. My annoyed expression traded with an innocent joy almost instantaneously. Mr Erland scratched his balding gray head, looking thoroughly unconvinced with my facade. I shrugged, dropping my eyes and playing with my fingers in my lap. I could already feel the lecture coming on. 

“You really did it this time,” he said, wheeling over on a doctor’s stool. As if I didn't know that already. “Blah blah…. Danger…. blah.” He continued pulling the stethoscope from around his neck to his ears. Oh, shut up, old hound. He placed the end of the stethoscope onto my back, and I breathed in and out loudly. “Blah … irresponsible… blah blah.” God, when was he going to shut up about it? “Are you listening?” he inquired finally. I blinked, no longer glaring daggers at the ground.

“Oh, yes, mhmm, I heard you, ‘irresponsible, dangerous, whatever,’ Ya I got it.” Dr Erland sighed, and his shoulders dropped, making his white lab coat look even bigger then it was.

-Jessica Andrews