Milla makes her way to Gustavus Airport while the guards delete all footage that she's seen- even those containing her blur. They all move like robots without emotions on their faces, removing all of it and the backup files. After finishing the task, all memories of her and their interaction with her are gone, permanently.
As if someone clicks the play button, they continue whatever they're doing before she appears in front of them. The only difference is the guard's slightly injured wrist, "Aw-aww!"
"What? What is it? What happened?" Another guard who's surprised with him shouting in pain out of nowhere asks him in quick succession.
The guard in question concentrates on not moving his left arm before he answers in pain, "My wrist is injured, man. I don't... know why. It was fine until now."
"Is it the old age insinuating you?" The other guard teases him, thinking it's not a serious injury since he doesn't know the pain the man is actually feeling. They both laugh at this speculation because there's no other reason.
The third guard has no idea why he keeps staring at his radio the whole time, 'Why do I feel like I want to grab my radio?'
…
Milla arrives after midnight at this state-owned public-use small airport which has 1821 acres of land. There are not too many people at the airport and she slips past through the guards without them noticing. She hears some people asking where they want to go, so she walks towards the counter- not bothering with the line.
No one can recognize her because of her hidden hair and face. People start complaining as she makes her way to the front, then the woman beside her booking her flight gazes at her simple clothing. While the man inside the counter politely informs her, "Miss, please wait for your turn and fall in line."
"I would like to go here," Milla shows the hologram of the map showing the United States from her watch, and those who can see it are quite surprised that she has the money for this luxury.
"Sure, Miss. But could you please fall in line first?"
The woman is starting to feel annoyed at her so she's about to tap her shoulder when she sees her bag, 'Is that a Tom Ford Buckley bag?! How could she afford these things with those clothes of hers?' She becomes more bewildered in the next thing that happens.
Milla places her bag on top of the counter and grabs the black card inside it, "Here, they said that I can pay using this." In this situation, she's like a kid that was ordered by her parents to buy something with their money.
The man glances at the woman to know her opinion when she smiles at them while nodding her head, "It's okay, she can go first. I'm not in a hurry." She doesn't want to offend someone like her especially when they have no idea how capable she could be.
"Thank you, Ma'am. Miss, can I have your passport?"
She replies to him, still in a serious voice, "What is that?"
The man let out a light chuckle that gradually changes into a nervous one upon realizing she's not joking, "Ahh… Ahem. Your passport, Miss. Your identification."
'Is she serious or she's just toying with us?' This is the question in the minds of the people who listen to their conversation.
"My identification?" Milla raises her head, makes eye contact with him, and briefly lowers her mask so he can see her face. His knees suddenly weaken, eyes widen, and his jaw drops as he realizes who's the individual standing right in front of him. He's so thunderstruck and terrified that he almost falls off his seat, he has to grab the counter to steady himself.
Reading his mind, she whispers to him, "Be silent and don't tell anybody. And move it."
"Ye-yes, Em- Miss. Would you like a private jet?"
"I don't know. Just bring me here," she points again to the United States on the map.
"Certainly, please follow me to where you'll ride." They aren't supposed to leave their work station but he needs to. All the people and his colleagues are dumbfounded at this special treatment and how the man is reacting right from the start.
They all are curious to know who that person could be because she's not even obliged to prove her identity by showing a passport. The manager discovers this so he makes an appearance and questions the staff, "What happened? Who was that and why does he have to escort her personally- leaving no one to substitute for him?"
"We're not really sure, Sir. We didn't get to see her. We only know that she paid using a black card and didn't show any identification. But he's so stunned when he saw her face."
Now, the manager is concerned about how his staff handled the situation and how would the higher-ups react to this, 'What? Then how did she get to pass through the security without showing her passport?' So he goes after the two of them.
Concurrently, Milla is sitting with closed eyes while they prepare the private jet. The man from earlier oversees everything and also instructs the two pilots. Before the preparations are finished, the manager arrives at the scene and immediately confronts him- pulling him to the side, "Who is she?"
"Uhh- I'm really sorry, Sir. But I can't possibly tell you," he keeps checking on the Vampire Empress, worried that she'll kill them if they irritate her. The manager peers in her direction but the hoodie is covering her, "Aren't you afraid of losing your job? Then, I have no choice but to ask her myself."
'I care more about my life. Wait- ask her?' His manager is already on his way when he tries to stop him but he's too late, 'You've been a good manager to us, Sir.'
"Miss? Pardon me." He notices a little movement from her so he courteously inquires after, "I'm the one who supervises everything here in our humble airport. May I ask of you to show us your passport?"
"You- behind him, tell him who I am. I'm sleepy, he's too nosy and noisy."
Startled by the fact that his manager is alive, he steps to his side and murmurs to him, "She's the Vampire Empress, Sir."
It seems like the manager is having a hard time comprehending the circumstance he's in that he turns his head to look at him. He receives a nod from the man, then he bravely but slowly gawks back at her. She has her head down but knowing who she is- causes the manager to collapse.
If the man isn't there to hold his arm and support him, perhaps he's slumping on the ground right now. The former doesn't know whether to pity or laugh at his boss's condition when someone calls for his attention, "The private jet is ready to use, Sir."
Milla opens her eyes and gives them a question, "Do you have food and drinks inside this… thing?"
This snaps the manager back to reality but dismisses the other people so no one can overhear them. "Yes, there are foods inside and about your drinks- he'll quickly get some." He hands the key for the office near them which has food and drink amenities including blood.
"Empress, if you could follow me, I'll escort you inside the private jet." They head inside as she silently observes everything, "The people who'll be flying this will be inside here while you can sit anywhere you want. There's also a bedroom at the rear side where you can sleep or just take a rest. Do you need an attendant while you travel?"
'Flying? This thing could fly? Huh… how is that possible?' Milla is truly astonished in these new things she keeps uncovering, but she's just extraordinary at suppressing her emotions.
"No, I prefer to be alone. But since you're still here, I would like something to eat. I'm starving."
The manager smiles at her and continues to speak enthusiastically, "Of course, I'll go and prepare it for you. If you need anything else, please do inform me."
A few minutes have passed when the man comes back with some stock of blood. They serve her drink, first and notify the pilots that one of them should serve the food once they are flying stable in the air. Moreover, they don't forget to advise her to wear the seatbelt when the light on its sign is on.
"Safe travels, Empress." Both of them offer a bow to her before they hop off. They remain standing in a safe distance waiting for the private jet to take off. When it does, they are about to discuss what they have experienced, but their faces become desolate.
The same thing happens to them similar to the guards, but the difference is that the only thing removed from their memories is what she looks like or who she is, and anything that can prove she's a vampire- all forgotten. What could be her intention? Do they really need to forget her?
What do y'all think? Does she have a reason for it?
Feel free to comment and share your thoughts! How are you liking the novel, so far?
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