the ice queen

[Mirela]

PART ONE

"I don't understand why I've come to this god damn place..." A young woman with brilliant red hair sat on the roof top of the factory she worked at, looking up at the many stars above. She hated this place, she hated the food, she hated the way people were being killed each and every day. She hugged her knees, allowing soft tears to escape her emerald eyes. I have to be strong... she thought. Ariel was never the type of girl to just cry and give up once the going got rough. No, she was the little mermaid who was able to endure it all. What would the other factory workers think if they saw her crying like this? It was unheard of! Ariel wiped the tears off her face, clearing her throat as she nodded her head confidently. She had a reputation to uphold.

After all, she was the Ice Queen.

Last night another citizen was lynched. Even though the act of killing another human being was quite vile, it had to be done. How else were they going to eliminate every spy McNeal has placed within the workers union? Ariel sighed, wishing she had more clues as to who the remaining traitors were. She really wanted to go back to Ireland but unfortunately she was stuck here until this situation resolved. The whole reason why Ariel came to the Burg in the first place was to make some money for her poor family. Thor was exiled, obviously that was a mistake. Who would be the next to go? Ariel already knew the answer to that...The answer was.......Rey.

Just thinking of that name singed the ends of her nerves. Rey was a photographer from New York, here for the exact same reasons every other person was here for. Money. Ariel had always believed Rey was a spy from the beginning, but people didn't seem to believe her. Apparenty he was a genuine guy to them. Hah, if they only knew how cruel the man actually was. The violinst sighed, examining the split ends in her red hair. She loved Rey. She loved him and hated him at the same time. But he was a spy, an he had to be killed. They would never be together, Ariel understood that.

"What the hell are you doing up here?" Mirela stood several feet behind Ariel, both hands on her hips as she raised a suspicious eyebrow at the girl. "Sorry, I was just thinking to myself." Mirela was a gypsy, one that was quite skilled in the art of the occult. Ariel trusted her for the most part, her best friend Kirsten seem to think she was one of the innocent. "You do realize we're going to miss the burg meeting if we don't hurry." she said, crossing her arms. "Fuck the meeting Mirela, I need to ask you something." The gypsy was intrigued by this, and chose to sat down next to the thinned skinned girl. "Tell me, do ou know of a way too......Ressurect the dead?" Ariel didn't look at Mirela, instead she kept her eyes focused on th North Star above them. "Ressurect the dead? Are you crazy girl?!" Mirela shrieked.

A common reaction.

"I know it sounds ridiculous....I'm just asking if it's possible." Now this was an idea that has been on her mind for weeks. Ariel actually had a book about it. It was a gift from her grandmother before she left to America. She was heavily involved into the occult, much like Mirela, however not as aggressive about it . On a regular basis the violinist wouldn't believe such bullshit. But the situation she was in was far from regular. People were dying left and right and she was desperate to do something.

"Your dealing with very serious stuff Ariel." Mirela's expression adapted one of worry and concern. "You don't want to mess with black magic." The Ice Queen rolled her eyes, standing up. "Calm down, it's not that big of a deal. I'm thinking of ressurecting Yvette." The fortuneteller's eyes widened; Yvette was one of the workers who was lynhed under the suspicion of being a spy weeks and weeks ago. She turned out to be an innocent citizen, thus creating the worst mistake the union as ever made. Everyone loved Yvette, especially the way she fought so hard to figure out who the traitors were.

"I'm in." Mirela would do anything to make up voting for Yvette. If she could use her occult knowledge to help Ariel with this endeavor then so be it. "Okay then, we'll discuss it more in detail later. Let's go to the meeting now." Ariel walked past Mirela, who just looked at her strangely. The fact she wanted to ressurect an individual was so out of character. Not to mention random. The gypsy realized she'd have to becareful with Ariel. Who knows what other plans she had stored up inside that skull of hers.

[Judge Sam]

You are a really good story-teller I'm very impressed with your writing skills. I really enjoyed reading that from start to finish and how you wrapped in game-events into the story.

[Mirela]

PART TWO

"Ariel......Ariel please....."

The girl tossed and turned in bed, the sound of Rey's voice echoing in her head. She didn't want to hear it, she didn't want to believe it! The violinist got up, running a hand through her hair as she stared at her bed post. The last couple of nights have been a complete nightmare. Rey was exiled, her attempt to ressurect Yvette failed, what else could she do? The Burg has failed twice, and now the spies are going to take yet another citizen. Ariel didn't know what to do anymore. She's tried to help but every time she tried she'd always fail. Perhaps she wasn't as strong as she thought. Sighing, the girl brushed her bangs to the side as she got up from bed.

The image of the citizens hanging Rey was one that would stay in her head forever. She remembered those final moments, a couple of hours before the exile meeting. Rey had come up to her room, begging for help. "Please Ariel, I'm going to be killed tonight. You can change that if you convince them otherwise. People trust you Ariel, please. Please help me...." The girl sat on the bed as the photographer spoke to her, uncertain of her decision. Despite the fact she was in love with Rey, she knew he was a spy. Her heart told her he was the one who needed to be killed tonight, as much as it hurt her. She couldn't go back on it now, she just couldn't. If Ariel suddenly defended Rey it'd make her look bad, and they'd both end up being killed. As much as she wished things were different, they weren't.

Rey sat on the bed next to her, pulling her hair back softly as he whispered in her ear; "I love you." The Irish maiden closed her eyes, trying to block the man's voice. Ariel loved Rey, but she refused to say. She refused to say it to someone whose been making her life miserable for the past two months. She refused to say it to a spy. "I'm sorry Rey." Ariel turned her head away, unable to look into Rey's brown eyes. The photographer looked down, realizing that his beloved wouldn't change her mind. He'd have to accept death, despite the fact he was one of the innocent citizens. "Okay." Rey leaned in a kissed Ariel's cheek before he left her room. That was the last time she spoke to him, before she saw his neck break in the town square.

The violinist leaned against the wall, unable to keep her balance. After storming Rey's quarters it turned out he was another innocent person. A citizen who was being tormented, just like Ariel. They were both one and the same. They could've been together but she refused to see it. What on earth was she to do now? I can't let this stop me. I've failed but I won't fail again. It was discouraging to see the only man she loved killed, but this was a war she was in right now. Ariel had no time to mourn over someone's inevitable death. The red haired girl made her way to the factory roof, the spot she usually ventured to when she felt overwhelmed. Ariel would now have to think about who the spies are. Who they really are.

"Why so sad Ariel?"

Dark haired Amelia stood several feet away from the violinist, her voice filled with disdain. Amelia was a roughed up waitress on the streets who recently came under the suspicions she was a spy. Mainly due to her connection to the whole Iris fiasco. Ariel certainly didn't trust her. "How can I help you Amelia?" The waitress cracked a sly smile and took a couple steps forward, causing Ariel to take a couple steps backword. "You must have been oh so very sad when Rey died earlier today. I bet you regret ever thinking he was a spy." Emerald eyes gleamed in the moonlight as she narrowed them at Amelia's comment. "Yes. It was a mistake."

"Tell me Ariel, who do you think is a spy right now?" Amelia inched forward, tilting her head in a friendly manner. The violinist stood still, refusing to move and run away from danger. She wasn't sure if she was a spy, and it'd be wrong of her to jump to any conclusions right now. She had to examine the evidence. "Well, I'm not sure. I'm going to have to analyze everyone more closely from now on." she stated. Amelia laughed, putting both hands on her hips. "Ariel, your so stupid. I thought you were smarter than that." The red haired girl bit her lip in anger, she didn't like to be insulted in such a manner. "I think the stupid one here if you Amelia. Look at yourself." Ariel gestured to the patches of dirt on the street rat's face. "Your pathetic. Covered in dirt like the rat you are...."

Amelia growled, stepping right up to Ariel's face. The violinist didn't move, she stood still, unphased by this little girl's idiocy. "So you think I'm a rat?" The dark haired girl broke into a toothy grin; "Well, your right." she said innocently. Then in a quick motion, Amelia pushed Ariel right off the roof of the factory. The Irish maiden blinked as she slowly fell to her death, unable to think of how this happened to her. She has failed herself, she has failed her family, she has failed the rest of her co-workers.....On her way down, the girl could only think of how she'll be able to see Rey once more.......

In the afterlife.