“Who do you see?” the king inquired for the third time.
“Don’t worry. It’s going to be okay,” I tried to soothe Gideon through the glass as he struggled to crawl from under the covers.
“I’m s-so sorry, Katie,” Gideon’s frail body shivered as he freed himself from the blankets. “It wasn’t my fault,” he implored, trying to convince himself as he staggered forward and crumpled onto the ground from weakness. “I would never hurt ya. Not in a million years.”
“Shhh. I know,” I nodded with understanding at his gaunt face, offering a small smile of assurance.
“Everythin’ hurts all over,” Gideon coughed, unable to get back to his feet. He dragged himself back to his blanket and crawled into a ball on the floor.
“It’ll all be over soon. Nothing will hurt anymore,” I comforted him, gripping the pistol behind my back. The shadows of the king and queen lingered in my peripheral.
I gulped and raised the gun, my hands shaking enough to rattle the loaded magazine. I shot Gideon a final glance. He hacked again, forcing phlegm from his lungs. The pneumatic fit ended in a puddle of vomit on his only blanket. He gasped for air, clutching his throat. He pleaded with his eyes. Gideon begged for mercy. He yearned for his end.
I wanted to believe Gideon, but I knew better than anyone that, in order to allow evil into your life, an invitation was extended first.
“Who do you see?” the king demanded. His voice bellowed through the barn, leaving me no choice but to answer.
“Three fools,” I responded, steadying the gun against my temple. My finger squeezed the trigger, and the world faded to black.
THE END OF BOOK 1
* * *
About the Author
Grace E. Pulliam is a freelance social media manager, amateur photographer, and half-ginger. Grace graduated from Reinhardt University in 2012 with a degree in English Literature. She developed her love of writing at a young age, by sneaking contraband books like Stephen King’s Carrie and Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita into her room when her parents weren’t looking. During the rise of the household computer, when Grace was eleven, she kept what would later be referred to as a “blog,” portraying the everyday accounts of Tolkien’s fantasyland, titled “The Lord of the Rings Diaries.” Nearly a decade later, Grace garnered an online following on YouTube, posting videos of popular culture discussions and elaborations on proper grammar.
Grace currently resides in Cartersville, Georgia, with her husband. The newly weds live in a tiny red cabin on a slice of countryside with their three adopted dogs, whom they affectionately refer to as “junkyard dogs,” a black cat, and a coop full of chickens.
Connect with Grace:
@gracepulliam_
[email protected]
Kate Fox & The Three Kings Page 19
