Meanwhile, in Oswego County, the home that Shayna built on takes about nine acres; a gated traditional Japanese house did not have a designated use for each room aside from the entrance area (genkan, 玄関), kitchen, bathroom, and toilet.

Any room could be a living room, dining room, study, or bedroom. This was possible because all the necessary furniture was portable, being stored in oshiire, a small section of the house (large closets) used for storage.

It was important to note that in Japan, the living room was expressed as ima, living "space." This was because the size of a room can be changed by altering the partitioning. Large traditional houses often had only one ima (living room/space) under the roof, while the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet were attached on the side of the house as extensions.

Somewhat similar to modern offices, partitions within the house were created by fusuma, sliding doors made from wood and paper, which were portable and easily removed. Fusuma sealed each partition from top to bottom so it could create a mini room within the house.

On the edge of a house are rōka, wooden-floored passages that are similar to hallways. Rōka and ima are partitioned by shōji, sliding, and portable doors that are also made from paper and wood. Unlike fusuma, the paper used for shōji is fragile, so outside light can pass through into the house.

This was before glass began to be used for sliding doors. Rōka and outside of the house were either partitioned by walls or portable wooden boards that are used to seal the house at night. Extended roofs protected the rōka from getting wet when it rained, except during typhoon season, where the house got sealed completely. Roofs of traditional houses in Japan were made of wood and clay, with tiled or thatched areas on top.

Riding in an orange SUV, a visitor made their way to the gate of Shayna’s home. The elderly female driver rolled down their window and spoke into the intercom, “Mrs. Abigail Grace.”

“Welcome back,” the guard responded. “But first, you must answer three riddles for you to gain passage in the Killer Queen’s lair.”

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“Well, I’m all up for playing little stupid ass games, Daryl. By the way, how is Shayna’s blood sugar count? I have her medicine right here. So, open the fucking door, you jackass!” Abigail demanded.

In two seconds, the gate opened, and she could drive right in.

“Fucking idiots…” Abigail cursed under her breath.

Putting the car in park and shutting off the engine, Abigail came out of the SUV donning a long winter coat and a fur hat. Getting her satchel from the backseat of the car, she didn’t even bother locking it, knowing it won’t take long.

Abigail Grace was Shayna’s defense lawyer and has been under retainer for the past twenty years. Not batting an eye of Shayna’s lifestyle since she had dealt with weirder clients before.

Making her way inside the house, she followed tradition, wiping off her snow-covered boots and taking them off before she got inside to walk around. Afterward, she hung up her coat and hat and walked straight into Killer Queen’s bedroom, where she was pacing back and forth, mumbling to herself.

Getting a closer look at her deteriorating state, Abigail walked in unannounced. “Shayna, are you all right? You should be in bed.”

Getting her attention, Shayna turned around to see her lawyer. She was slightly older than her doppelgänger. She had dark circles around her eyes, and they were bloodshot. And she had been sweating through her robe. Sadly, Shayna came down with the flu a week ago, and she called up one of her replacements to take her place.

Panicking, the delirious Shayna talked to her lawyer, “Abigail, Adrian is not picking up her phone. I don’t know what is going on.” Abigail shook her head in disappointment as Shayna was still in denial. “I didn’t hear back from… We were supposed to… We meant to… Have those crates right now… There’s a lot of money on the line. You got the documents, right? Right?!”

Abigail depressingly sighed as she reached into her satchel and took out Shayna’s medicine. “Here, take this. It will make you feel better.”

Shayna walked over to her lawyer and took medicine from her. It was an EpiPen containing her insulin and her pain medication. Shayna walked over to her dresser drawer and began to administer her medication. “I ran out of insulin about a day ago.”

“I know, and it was actually a week ago. That is why I sent a rush order from Oswego County to get it,” Abigail explained as Shayna injected herself with the insulin. Getting immediate relief, she felt better already as Shayna took her pain and flu medication.

Shayna took a deep breath as she began to feel like her old self again.