The Vampire Queen's System

Braving Danger

Eli began climbing the steel ladder.

She wore cyclings beneath her long dress so there was no danger of anyone seeing her undergarments. But this isn’t a concern of hers. Nobody would even be able to see her once she’s on the top of gymnasium. And this is what frightened her even more. The thought of moving to such a dangerous height without any lights guiding her feet.

“All these years of studying...and now I’m doing something dumb like this.”

She hated the kindness that she had at that moment. She could simply walk away. Pretend like she doesn’t know anything. But then she remembered the teachings of the caretakers at the orphanage.

“Your talents and gifts are there to help others. If you just sit idly by and wait for misfortune to befall others when you know that you could’ve done something for them...then what difference do you have with these no gooders?”

“I swear Sister Maria...if I die because of this and don’t go to heaven...” Eli stopped for a moment. Wiping one hand after the other on her dress, taking away the sweat that was forming. “I’m gonna haunt you for the rest of my life.”

If Eli has one clear gift, it is her high level of intelligence. And, although she doesn’t want to admit it to herself, she is actually brave. When it comes to other people getting hurt, she wouldn’t hesitate to stand up for them. Just like she was doing at that moment, no matter how idiotic it may seem.

“The itsy-bitsy spider...went up the water sprout.” Eli sang to take away some of her nervousness.

“Down came the rain and...” Eli’s voice trailed off as she looked below her. “Okay not the best song choice for this moment.”

She began humming instead and, it worked for her. Just enough for our dear Elizabeth to finally reach the top of gymnasium where, she is immediately welcomed by a female voice.

“Who’s there?”

It was Tiffany. The tone was a bit nervous and, the music muffled it a bit. But Eli could identify it nevertheless. She has already heard it countless times and, even in that darkness where it was hard to make out a bunch of things, this voice isn’t something she could mistake for anything else.

“Y-You should stop this Tiffany.”

Eli balanced herself on the steel beam. She left her heels down the ladder, allowing her feet to be stable. Plus, there was enough room for both her feet to step on. With a bit of allowance also being present as she tried moving her feet from left to right.

“Oh my God. Is that snowflake?” Tiffany said, the nervousness in her tone being replaced by amusement. “That’s you, right snowflake?”

Eli made a deep breath and clenched her fists. Praying that she gets enough courage to look brave and intimidating at that moment.

“My name’s not snowflake.” She said.

Tiffany began laughing her heart out. There was no way for anyone to hear her because of how loud the music is and, because of how high up she was.

“Tell you what, I’m actually in a good mood right now.” Tiffany voice was as confident and as cocky as ever. “So, if you turn and walk away, I’m gonna pretend that you didn’t even come here.”

Eli steeled herself at that moment. She knew that if she faltered even a bit or, if she hesitated, then Tiffany would be able to go on with whatever it was that she was planning. And so, with whatever courage she could still muster, she began speaking again.

“First of all, I need to go down the stairs. So technically, I’m not “walking away” from here. I’m climbing down.”

“Are you insulting me?” The jocks were making their move. Their steps vibrating through the steel beams.

“No, and I still have a second point.” There was no backing away anymore. Eli knew that she needed to finish what she started. “I’ve seen you guys do this and, the whole conversation has been recorded in my phone.”

It was a bluff. There was no way she could record the conversation because of how loud the music was. But she knew that Tiffany and a couple of jocks would believe this. Especially because these are words from the smartest girl in school.

“You wouldn’t even dare.” Tiffany said.

“Oh yeah? Try me.”

Silence. Nobody said anything for a couple more seconds; increasing the nervousness of Eli even more. In fact, she didn’t even know if she could speak in the same brave front that she was using anymore. Not with the silence thickening quickly.

That’s why she prayed that her intimidation was enough. That what she said would be enough to dishearten the bullies who were about to do another childish scheme. And, with Tiffany finally speaking, she was going to get her answer.

“Alright fine.”

“Really?” The jocks asked – getting the same surprise as Eli.

“Yeah. I mean, it’s not worth the trouble that we’d get in anyway.” Tiffany explained. “We still have plenty of chances before the school year ends.”

“Good.” Eli said, the only word that she was able to force out of her lips.

“But you need to be the one to get this down snowflake. I’m not taking a bucket full of water balloons down there myself.” Tiffany said as, Eli heard the said bucket being lifted. “Come on snowflake, take it from me.”

Eli didn’t know if it was a trap or not. But even if it was, she was ready to stop the water balloons from dropping anytime. Even in the darkness, there was still enough light for her to make out everything around her at that point. And, with this, Eli finally did as Tiffany said. Walking towards this bully as she prayed for the ordeal to end.

“Take it.” Tiffany repeated as soon as Eli was right in front of her.

Elizabeth did just this. Reaching out for the bucket and as her hands finally touched it, her heart was placed in a bit of ease. Only to be betrayed by the expression she saw on Tiffany’s face at that moment. A grin that gave Eli a cold shudder as, Tiffany slapped the bucket out of Eli’s hands.

Time seemed to slow down as Eli looked at falling bucket. She pivoted her body to catch this and, she could’ve sworn she heard Tiffany’s laughter at her efforts. Something which wasn’t in vain as Eli was able to catch the bucket once again...with her body falling from the steel beam.

“What?”

Eli saw her whole life flash before her eyes. The strong beam of the spotlight got to her eyes. Blinding her momentarily as she felt gravity pull her body. And the last thing she heard are the screams of everyone in the prom.