Mr. R’s fantastical flying ship looked like your typical metal ship, with the cabin as the base. On top was the open main deck with the middle mast reaching high in the air, with a crow’s nest in the middle. It had all types of functions. Where the captain stood, there was a control dashboard that had all of the controls you could imagine: To steer, to open fire, to stealthily snipe an enemy, to stop and control the propellers with which the ship levitated in the air. There were many other buttons and switches that Alice had no idea what were used for. It was better that she didn’t.

Mr. R stood confidently at the captain’s dashboard steering the flying ship in the night air. He swerved up and down avoiding the many platforms that were set at varying levels across the dark sea. He finally managed to soar high above in the air and they plateaued. The ship was brought to a halt as they drifted slowly along. It had stopped raining and the clouds had started to dissipate. The sky opened up. It revealed the many stars hiding behind the clouds. They shone brightly.

Everyone took a deep breath as the kids sat down with their backs against the wall. They all sat in silence.

“How ya kids doin’?” Mr. R asked.

“Alright,” Max said tired. Alice was quiet.

“How’d ya kids escape?”

With a chuckle, Max answered, “Well, Alice led the way. Out the window. Passed some guards. Alice did some damage on a few.”

“Didja?”

Alice nodded.

“Well, I have no doubt, Alice.” Mr. R laughed.

“Thank you, Mr. R, for getting us,” Alice finally said.

“Oh, you’re welcome, my dear!”

Max asked, “Alice, how’d you get Mr. R to come?”

With a sigh, she said, “I told Mr. R, to come at the last supply run. He was worried.”

“I was scared, frankly.” He chimed in. “I wanted to help her but didn’t know how to, but she had a plan and I agreed. It worked didn’t it?!” He laughed boisterously.

“Yeah, Max, I’ve been planning this for a while. It took me a whole month to gather all the supplies in this bag,” as she ruffled around in the satchel. “Yeah, those guards didn’t see any of that coming!” Alice shrieked with delight.

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” a little annoyed and jealous at her skills. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew you would talk me out of it. And that you would try and stop me and then you would get too scared and then probably give me up. I couldn’t let that happen. But I did wait for you, out in the hall.” That relieved Max. They looked at each other and then at the ground. Max thought of her as a good friend. Alice thought of him as a great friend but wished and hoped maybe there was something more. Walking around the ship, he looked out into the night.

“Mr. R, If you deliver supplies to them, how are you ever gonna show your ship there again?”

“Oh, I don’t think they knew it was me. The fog covered me, I think. Don’t worry, they weren’t worried about that or concerned at the time about what the ship looked like. Besides, I’m not planning on delivering there any longer. Got a new job.”

“Oh yeah? What kind?”

“Oh, delivering supplies just like I always have. It’s a government job. I work for the Queen now. Enough locally sourced materials. Now’s the time to move up in the world,” he announced proudly.

They both stared, not knowing much about the Queen. They only heard stories. They never knew anybody who had met her. She was a mystery.

Max lit up walking toward him, “Have you ever met the Queen?”

“No, not yet anyway, but I doubt I’ll ever get to.”

“What are you gonna deliver?” Alice asked. Mr. R turned away.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Oh well, some medical supply of sorts. Medicine,” he said adamantly.

“What do you know about the Queen?” Alice asked.

“Oh, well, not much. I hear different stories from different guys. Some like her, some don’t.”

“Do you like her?”

“All I know is that she pays for my salary and that’s good enough for me. But the City’s not what it used to be.” Mr. R cleared his throat. “Well, now, if you kids need some shut-eye, get it. We’re gonna be stopping in a bit.”

“Where are we going?” Alice asked.

“Just a little detour. But first! Something to eat. You kids hungry?!” He roared.

Max spoke up, “Yeah, I could eat.”

Alice said, “Sure.”

“Alright, we’ll stop soon.” Mr. R started the propellers at higher speeds as the ship went off into the night.

Alice thought that a nap sounded like a great idea. She asked for a bed. Mr. R directed her to a spare bedroom down in the cabin. The cabin was simple. There was a bedroom where he slept, two spares, and a kitchen and living room all nicely kept. Alice took off her shoes and slept with her satchel on, ready for any adventure. She snuggled up in the covers and drifted off into a deep sleep.

A light flashed. Her father turned and ran into the forest.

She called out, “Daddy!” He turned again running faster.

A bright light in the air. In the sky. It seemed to be something large.

Suddenly she woke, jolting up.

Her breathing was heavy and she was covered in sweat. She didn’t know where she was at first. Then there was a knock on the door.

“Alice, are you awake?” Max asked, muffled.

“Yes,” she said timidly.

“Well, we stopped. You hungry? It looks like a diner. Mr. R says it's delicious.”

“Alright, I’ll come. Be right there.” She said, feeling as if Max would have a fit if she didn’t come.

She put on her shoes and walked up the stairs slowly wanting to see nobody. All she wanted was to be left alone. Away from everyone. Nobody was getting hurt on her watch, especially Max. He was a good friend. She wanted him to be safe but kept all this to herself. Pushing it down, she faced the moment.

She felt a deep sadness but didn’t know why. Thinking of the guards whom she killed, on her mind relentlessly, she forced them out of her mind’s eye.

Ascending to the deck, she saw Mr. R and Max waiting patiently for her. Mr. R smiled at her as she smiled back hesitantly.

“Hey, how’d you sleep?” Max asked gently.

“Good,” Alice responded quietly with a forced smirk.

Proceeding into the diner, Alice noticed it had an old look to it with a strange oval shape to the front window and a door on the far right. They could see an old man cleaning up a spill and looking like closing up for the night. Mr. R led the procession with Alice in the back.

“How ya doing, Reginald!” The old man spoke with a raspy voice. “I haven’t seen ya for some time!” They shook hands warmly.

“I’m hanging in there, Frank. Frank, this is Max and Alice.” He stepped aside to introduce the children to Frank.

“How ya kids doin’?”

They didn’t know how to respond. They were silent.

Mr. R, embarrassed, looked at Frank from the side of his eyes. “Yes, well, Frank they’ve been through a lot tonight as it is. You got any food?”

Frank’s eyes widened as he smiled strangely. “Oh, do we have food? We just got some fresh tonight. My son Randy picked some up.” His face fell.

“You know we’ve been struggling. Ever since the Queen has stopped exports from going out of the City. But we manage.” Just then a loud shout from the basement came. A shrill voice that broke the queer silence came bursting forth in the front of the diner.

“Hello, hello, hello! How ya darlins doin’?”

There was a great commotion of laughing and chattering as Frank’s wife Matilda brought with her vibrant shrills of noise. She made the children feel at ease and made Frank and Reginald laugh hysterically. They all were filled with calm spirits as they all settled down around the bar with Reginald. Alice and Max sat on the stools on the customer side. Frank and Matilda leaned on the other side. Fixing their food, Frank splattered some ground beef on the griddle while Matilda danced around fixing their buns and condiments. She then dropped fries in the fryer and creamed some milkshakes.

Frank went downstairs. Matilda perked up and came close to Alice leaning on the bar.

“Where ya from, darlin’?”

Alice stared down at the counter. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? Where did Reggie getcha then?”

“At the orphanage. On the Northern Quadron.”

“Oh, all the way up there. Ya been there ya whole life?”

“Not all of it. I have glimpses, you know?”

“You mean dreams, darlin’?”

“Yeah, but that’s all I ever remember just glimpses of memories.” She thought of her father. She loved him dearly remembering how he used to sing her a lullaby every night. She liked that. She felt safe.

“What’s this place called?” Alice asked.

“Oh, this is more South. Closer to the City. The South Side, some folks say.”

“The City. Have you ever been?"

“Well, I’m from the City originally.”

Alice’s bright blue eyes widened. “Oh, what is it like?”

“The City was a marvelous place. It used to be ruled by a great King. He loved his kingdom and his people. It was prosperous. It was glorious!” Her face fell, “But, it was a great city, it’s definitely changed... I don’t know exactly what changed...

“When I was a little girl my family would go to the King’s great feast where all people could come and feast with him. No one was turned down.” Matilda's face glowed, but then it shifted again.

“But that was a different time. A dream, darlin’. That’s what it all is, a damn dream. It’s all in our heads. And we gotta wake up, or the storm is gonna swallow us.” She stared intently into Alice’s big blue eyes. “You got such nice eyes, darlin’. I could just eat you up.” She talked slowly and with greater passion than before. “What’s your name, darlin’?”

“Alice.” She said timidly. Alice didn’t like this woman. She sensed something was wrong, something sinister from her, but couldn’t put her finger on it.