The Ingdom

I woke up to the sound of loud fast-paced beeping. I blinked and groggily looked around. I was in Katie's room at the health clinic, seated in the padded armchair next to her bed. I glanced up toward the health monitor to my right that was emitting the loud beeping. Flashing in red at the top of the screen was the word "ALERT" and a horizontal red line scrolled across the middle of the screen next to a symbol of a crossed-out heart.

I jolted upright in my chair and turned toward the bed where Katie was laying. But she wasn't there... "Katie?" I called out, sounding more frantic that I'd intended to. I jumped up and looked on the floor next to the bed, making sure she hadn't fallen out.

Just then, the beeping seized. I glanced back toward the monitor to see that the horizontal red line had turned back into a spiky green one that resembled a working heartbeat. Then, to my left, the bathroom door swung open and Katie stepped forward in her hospital gown, pulling a mobile medical trolley behind her. An IV was attached to her arm and oxygen tubes hung from her nostrils.

"I'm here. I'm okay," she said smiling. I smiled back, sighing in relief to see that she wasn't dying. Even dressed in a hospital gown, with no make-up, and with tubes sticking out of her nose, Katie still looked adorable.

"I heard the beeping and... got nervous," I explained, suddenly feeling a bit foolish.

"Sorry, my heart-rate thing fell off when I was in the bathroom," Katie explained, holding up her finger that sported a plastic sleeve. "Back in business, now," she added with a smile.

"How're you feeling?" I asked.

"I'm good," Katie answered, trying to look casual as she crossed the room toward me. I cocked my eyebrow at her skeptically. "Honestly," she chuckled. "I'm just ready to get out of here."

"I bet you are," I replied. "So, has anyone given you an update? Told you when you'll be able to check out?"

"Um, I'm not sure," she answered. "The doctor's supposed to stop by again soon."

"And did anyone tell you what's happening? I mean... after you check out?" I pressed awkwardly, unsure if she'd been made aware of that fact that she'd be moving in with me.

"You mean, about you having temporary custody?" Katie asked, her face suddenly looking flushed. I nodded, trying to pretend as if the idea of having custody over a grown woman didn't weird me out. "Yes," she replied, smiling. "They explained it all to me while you were sleeping. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it."

"

Please

," I said, shaking my head dismissively. "I'm the one in

your

debt." Katie blushed, looking down at her legs. "Had it not been for you, I'd be spending the next several weeks in the

kennel

." I reached forward and grabbed her hand. "I won't let you go back to Murphy," I assured her. "I promise."

"Thanks," Katie said quietly, seemingly holding back tears of relief.

I couldn't imagine what she'd gone through over the past 48 hours. Between the kennel, the auction block, Murphy's apartment, and now the emergency health clinic, she'd certainly been through

hell

.

"And don't worry," I joked. "I'm not a fan of peaches, so you don't have to worry about ending up back here."

Katie laughed, looking down sheepishly at her feet.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, causing both of us to turn our heads. A middle-aged man in a white doctor's jacket stepped into the room.

"Hello again," he said pleasantly.

"Hi," Katie replied, making her way back to her bed.

"Hi, there," he said, looking at me. "I'm Doctor Scott, the primary physician here."

"Um, I'm Jodie," I said awkwardly. "A... friend."

"Nice to meet you," he replied. "How're you feeling, Katie? You look better!"

"I'm good," Katie replied, as she got situated back onto her bed. "Really good, actually."

Katie appeared to have turned the enthusiasm dial up to an 11. I guessed this was in an effort to convince the doctor that she was ready to be released. The poor girl clearly wanted to get out of here.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," the doctor replied as he put rubber gloves on. "After the morning you've had, I would've settled for just

regular

good." He stepped over to her and pressed his hands against the sides of her throat. "Looks like the swelling's gone down. That's good. Any tingling or itchiness?"

"No," Katie replied.

"How's your appetite?" he asked

"Um," Katie answered, "I didn't each lunch, but I'm still not very hungry yet."

It wasn't until she mentioned the word lunch that I realized how famished I was. I glanced up at the clock on the wall, which read 4:07.

Shit

, I thought. No wonder I was so hungry! I hadn't eaten today...

"I'm sure your appetite will return once we wean you off the saline drip," he said as he pressed a stethoscope against her upper chest. "Take a deep breath for me." Katie did as he asked. "Hold... aaand exhale... Good. Any tightness in the chest?"

"Nope," Katie responded.

"Open up for me?" the doctor asked, as he pulled a small flashlight out his pocket. Katie said 'aaah' as the doctor shined the light into her mouth. "Everything looks good," he mused. "I think we can lose the oxygen and start to wean you off of your IV."

Katie didn't have to be told twice. She immediately reached up and pulled the rubber tubes out of her nostrils, causing her face to contort in discomfort. The doctor took the tubes from her and hung them from a hook on the medical trolley next to her. Then, he adjusted a mechanism at the bottom of her IV drip.

"Alright, Katie," the doctor said, removing his rubber gloves. "Your appetite should return shortly and then we'll reevaluate how you feel after dinner."

Katie's face suddenly fell. "After dinner?" she asked, clearly disappointment. "So, I have to stay here longer?"

"I'm afraid so," the doctor replied apologetically. "For severe allergic reactions like yours, I typically recommend a minimum of twelve hours medical supervision."

Katie sighed in disappointment, slouching her shoulders forward.

"So, when exactly will that be?" I asked, filling in for Katie.

"Let's see," the doctor mumbled, grabbing the clipboard at the foot of the hospital bed. "Twelve hours from the time you checked in would be... around 7 o'clock tonight."

Katie looked down at her legs, clearly disappointed by the news.

"Well, Katie, if you need anything, don't hesitate to press the call-button and a nurse will come running," the doctor said. Katie gave him a polite smile. "And Jodie, it was nice to meet you."

"Likewise," I responded. I turned my attention back to Katie as the doctor exited the room and closed the door behind him. "Hey-" I said, leaning toward Katie, causing her to meet my gaze. "Chin up,

peach

," I said playfully. "It's okay if I call you peach, isn't it?"

Katie's mouth curled into a smile. "I'm in your custody now, so you can call me whatever you'd like," she replied.

"Peach it is, then," I chuckled. "I'll hang out with you til it's time to go. Three hours'll fly by."

"Oh no-" Katie responded, straightening up again. "You've already given so much of your day. I'm just being a baby. I'll be fine."

"It's really no problem," I countered.

"I know," Katie replied. "And I

really

appreciate you offering. Like... more than you know. But I feel terrible keeping you any longer than I already have. Plus, you have to be starving. I insist you go get something to eat."

I

was

extremely hungry, having napped straight through lunch.

"Alright, I get the hint. You'd like some alone time," I replied sarcastically.

Katie's eyebrows rose apologetically. "You know that's not true," she answered.

"Just teasing," I reassured her playfully.

Katie smiled back, her face once again looking flushed.

"You

do

raise a good point, though," I continued, standing to my feet. "I'm frickin'

starving

." I crossed back over to the armchair I had napped in earlier and grabbed my phone. "Do you want me to bring back anything back for you while I'm out?" I asked. "Any other food allergies I should be aware of?

Katie shook her head smiling. "I'm good, thanks," she answered.

"Suit yourself," I replied bluntly. "Get some rest and I'll be back later."

"Yes ma'am," Katie replied.

I flashed a peace sign to her before exiting the room. Halfway down the hall I was still smiling. I was surprised by how upbeat I felt. I

had

just woken up from a marathon nap, but I'd be naïve to accredit my mood to anything but Katie. The idea of having her around was...

nice

.

Exiting the health clinic, I made a b-line to

Sally

'

s BBQ

. Speed walking down Centre Street, I was salivating just thinking about my order. To my good fortune, I arrived to a nearly empty restaurant where my order was promptly taken and prepared. I don't recall much from the next several minutes on account of the food that had monopolized my focus. I was in barbecue

heaven

.

About halfway through my sandwich, I felt my phone buzz. Wiping the barbecue sauce off my hand, I pulled my phone out of my pocked. At the top of my screen was a drop-down notification from the Kingdom app. As I read what it said, I nearly fell out of my chair in fear. It read-

Message from 01:

ALISON ROOK, DO NOT RESPOND. DO NOT REACT. YOU ARE BEING WATCHED.

Instantly overcome with dread, I gasped and dropped my phone, causing it to land loudly on the wooden table. Blood rushed to my face and I could suddenly feel heart beat between my ears. The message used my

real name

! Not Jodie O'Connell!

Alison Rook

! Whoever had written me knew my true identity!

In an impromptu attempt to look unsuspicious to any onlookers, I quickly pretended to swat an imaginary bug off my phone and then the table. I held my breath, silently hoping that my performance was convincing enough for whomever may have been "

watching

"...

My hand trembled as I picked up my phone and cautiously tapped the notification containing the message. The Kingdom app suddenly opened and the message expanded to fill the entire screen. Only... it was no longer the same message... The message had become garbled and now read:

DÔöð% ˽îh--0¹

h4Ð΢ #ö‹æå¨Tþq; gOÒ`Vµ¢" A•³®²ué VmÞ½¸‹½¹âÙµ Å¢ñìða¦ ÔZ "ªaˆ ÅA¤ ÈàÌ=uËí®êf

I stared at the screen in confusion for several seconds.

What the hell?

With my heart pounding out of my chest, I worked up the courage to send a reply, despite the specific instruction not to.

Who is this???

No sooner did I press the "

send

" button, the app instantly crashed, returning me to my home screen. I blinked in silence.

Shit, what did I do?

After a few seconds, I felt my phone buzz as another notification dropped down from the top of my screen. It read-

Message from 01:

I REPEAT- DO NOT REPLY. OUTGOING COMMUNICATIONS FROM YOUR DEVICE ARE NOT SECURE. WE NEED TO

...

Swipe down to read more

I swiped down to reveal the rest of the message.

...

SPEAK IN PRIVATE. YOU

A

RE IN DANGER. SWIPE UP TO CLEAR EACH OF THESE MESSAGES.

I hesitated before tentatively swiping up on the notification. I hated the idea of complying with the demands of this stranger. But despite my distrust, I had few alternatives.

Whoever was messaging me new my name

...

Message from 01:

ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR MEAL, EXIT THE RESTAURANT AND ENTER THE

...

Swipe down to read more

I swiped down.

...

APOTHECARY DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET. INSIDE, LOCATE AND PURCHASE 1 ULTRASONIC PEST REPELLENT AND 1 INSULATED COOLER BAG. ONCE THIS IS COMPLETE, EXIT THE SHOP AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

My whole body was trembling. Whoever was writing me had a clear view of me! I hated my privacy being so violated. Willing myself to appear casual, I did as the message instructed- I cleared the message and preceded to

calmly

take another bite of my sandwich.

Despite how hunger I had been, my appetite was completely gone. Leaving the rest of my sandwich uneaten, I used a napkin to clean my hands and mouth.

Be casual, be casual

,

I thought to myself as I stood and exited the restaurant into the blinding sun.

Now hyper-paranoid, I felt as if

all

eyes were on me. Taking deep breaths, I crossed the street and entered the Apothecary. The Apothecary was basically the Kingdom's version of Walgreens. It didn't take me long to locate the items on my list. I couldn't fathom why I was being instructed to purchase ultrasonic pest repellent and insulated cooler bag, but I dutifully obliged. In my continued attempts to appear natural, I collected several additional items like conditioner, hair ties, and other hygiene products.

Once I exited the building, I pulled out my phone to see a new drop-down notification waiting for me. It read:

Message from 01:

NOW, MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE SYCAMORE MARKET AND PICK OUT SEVERAL ITEMS OF CLOTHING. LOCATED IN

...

Swipe down to read more

...

THE BACK RIGHT-HAND CORNER OF THE BUILDING IS A BDSM HEADWEAR SECTION. LOCATE A RED BOX MARKED WITH A GREEN STICKER AND TAKE ALL ITEMS TO THE FITTING ROOM TO YOUR IMMEDIATE LEFT. ONCE INSIDE, LOCK THE DOOR AND PLUG THE ULTRASONIC PEST REPELLENT INTO THE WALL OUTLET.

I read the message twice before swiping up to clear the notification. I had no idea where all of this was going, but I dutifully made my way to the market. At the Renn Faire, Sycamore Market was a sort of outlet store operated by over a dozen different vendors. Here, guests were able to buy and trade everything from Renaissance period clothing, relics, incents, and weaponry. I shuddered to imagine what it was being used for in the off-season...

I didn't have to imagine very long. After a short walk, I arrived to the large barn-like building. As I stepped inside, the first difference I noticed was the obnoxiously loud scream-o music blaring over the speaker system. Quite the contrast from the pleasant pan-flute background tracks that were commonly heard during the Faire season. And instead of handcrafted renaissance-style garments and accessories, the aisles, racks, and tables were now filled with slutty latex outfits and sex toys.

In front of me stood a fat male employee wearing a toupee. Turning away from the latex-clad manikin he was adjusting, he gave a disingenuous smile and greeted me.

"Welcome to Sycamore Market," he said in a monotone voice. "Can I help you find anything today?"

"Nope," I replied bluntly, making my way past him.

As I made my way through the aisles, I continued to fight off the peculiar feeling that I was being watched... I casually glanced around but found nothing particularly suspicious. The market was surprisingly empty. Emptier than it usually was during the regular season, anyway. In fact, from what I could tell, the market's customers appeared to be outnumbered by the manikins that displayed the merchandise.

Attempting to appear casual, I perused the market for a few minutes, and eventually grabbed a random slutty outfit from off a rack. Eventually, I made my way to the back corner of the market where dozens of manikin heads showcased various latex and leather hoods. I began searching through the items on the rack for a red box marked with a

green sticker

. After about a minute of digging, I managed to find it buried deep on the bottom shelf. The text on the box read

Unisex Inflatable Latex Hood

.

All items now in hand, I made my way to the fitting room to my left. As I extended my hand toward the handle, the door suddenly swung open and a middle-aged man exited, pulling behind a curvy naked Latino woman by the leash. In his free hand, he carried what looked like belt harness outfits.

Avoiding eye contact, I entered the fitting room and locked the door behind me. The obnoxiously loud scream-o music blared down from a speaker handing directly above. Dropping everything to the floor, I began rooting through my bag for the ultrasonic pest repellent. Ripping it from its plastic packaging, I quickly plugged it into the wall outlet as instructed. Next, I pulled out my phone to retrieve my next instructions. Surely enough, another notification was ready and waiting for me.

Message from 01:

REMOVE ALL OF YOUR CLOTHING AND STOW IN THE INSULATED COOLER BAG. ONCE THE BAG IS SEALED

...

Swipe down to read more

...

OPEN THE RED BOX AND PUT THE LATEX HOOD ON YOUR HEAD. INFLATE TO FULL CAPACITY WITH THE CONNECTED SQUEEZE PUMP.

I stared at the phone, reading and rereading the instructions in disbelief. "

Bullshit

," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. This

complete stranger

seriously expected me to strip down naked and lock my head in a fucking blow-up hood?

I continued stubbornly staring at my phone's screen, silently willing my correspondent to send me an alternative. After a long pause, I finally cleared the notification and began furiously undressing. I hated how accustomed I'd become to acting against my better judgment. This place had a way of getting me to comply with directives I'd have

never

previously considered going along...

Moments later, I was completely naked and cursing under my breath as I shoved all of my clothes into my insulated bag. Once I zipped the top closed, I sat down on the chair and pulled the black latex hood from its box. For the life of me, I couldn't fathom what the reason was for any of this. But the bastard

knew my name

. So, for now, I had to play his game...

Exhaling one last sigh of frustration, I lifted the hood up to my head and began pulling it over my head, submerging myself in total darkness. To my surprise, the inside of the latex hood was lined with soft silk-like fabric, allowing it to slide easily across my skin.

Once it made its way past my chin, I began squeezing the attached hand pump, inflating the balloon around my head. With each pump, I felt increased pressure on my face and neck. After about a minute, squeezing the pump had gotten significantly harder. I raised my other hand to my head, feeling what was now a large round latex balloon.

Just then, I nearly leapt out of my skin in shock as a male voice spoke into my ears, "Rook, do you copy?" Knocking my chair to the floor, I frantically backed against the mirrored wall behind me.

"

Holy shit

, who's there?!" I shrieked. Despite the pressure of the hood against my face, I was still somehow able to speak intelligibly.

"Easy," the voice said calmly. "Your hood is equipped with a secure two-way radio. We're alone."

"Who the

hell

is this?!" I demanded forcefully.

"First thing's first," the voice replied. "If we're going to talk, I need for you to remain calm and quiet."

Calm and quiet?

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" I blurted out in outrage.

The voice interjected, "Your hood will muffle your voice, but only if you speak at a volume of 65 decibels or lower. Speak louder than that and you risk being overheard. You've managed to capture the attention of some very dangerous people. It is imperative that those people do not overhear this conversation..."

"Tell me who I'm talking to, or this

conversation

is over," I replied in a soft but stern voice.

"I'm a special forces operator in a highly classified covert operation," the voice answered

"That doesn't answer my question-" I countered.

"I'm U.S. military, ma'am," the voice interrupted.