Riddley's Nightmare - Chapter 9

Riddley let out a low groan, struggling to open his eyes. His head was pounding as if someone was repeatedly striking an anvil inside of it with a hammer. Blinking and squinting, he took in his surroundings and saw that he was in his room – much to his dismay.

"Well, would you look at that?"

Riddley, startled in surprise, turned his head to see Christi sitting in a chair by his desk, her legs neatly crossed and barely covered by the fabric of the dress she was wearing. She gazed at him with a mischievous glint in her sparkling eyes.

Her thumb fidgeted with her phone before she set it aside and stood up to approach him. "Looks like the tough guy is finally awake. How are you feeling?"

Riddley rubbed his forehead, and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he felt something unexpected. He sat up quickly and caught sight of his reflection in the window, noticing a bandage around his head.

"What is this, and why am I in my room? And why are you here? I mean, not that I mind seeing you in my bedroom, but..." He paused, his eyes widening as he realized the implications of those words. "That is definitely not meant in the way as it sounds!"

Christi let out a small laugh as she settled on the edge of his bed. "Well, that's too bad," she said, holding his hand. "I was hoping it was meant exactly as it sounded."

Riddley felt a rush of excitement as he looked into Christ'i's captivating eyes and saw a smile spread across her face.

"W-what happened?" he said.

"You got hit by a rock on your head, then your sister whisked you away moments before that collapsing building could crush you," Christi explained with a nod towards his nightstand, where a note written in his sister's handwriting sat.

Riddley frowned and grabbed the note.

"You're welcome." Was written on it.

"I think you should read what's on the back as well," Christi added.

Riddley flipped it. On the other side was another message: "Your punishment for acting out of line still applies."

My punishment? As he sat there, confused and trying to piece together his memories, he recalled why he was being punished. He had lashed out at his sister and slapped her on the cheek, resulting in him having to choose three cities for her to destroy.

Riddley scoffed. "Typical Lindsy," he remarked, sitting up straighter.

Feeling parched, he gratefully accepted the glass of water that Christi offered him. "Where is she now, anyway?" he asked.

Christi shrugged. "Nobody knows for sure. She disappeared right after Stephie's coronation."

Riddley choked on his water, spilling it all over his shirt. "Coronation? What are you talking about?"

Christi gave him a sympathetic smile and handed him a towel to clean up. "I apologize. You probably have no idea. You've been unconscious for quite a while."

"How long?"

"Wait, what day is it?" Christi glanced at her phone. "Oh man, if you had slept for just one more hour, it would have been exactly a week."

"A week!" Riddley exclaimed. "I've been out for an entire damn week!"

Christi nodded and cracked open a can of soda for herself. "Do you remember the fight? Between Stephie and Dunya on the beach."

Riddley racked his brain, prodding around in the basement of his memory to see if there was anything useful lying there.

Images from the argument between his sister's friends flooded back into his consciousness, sharpening in clarity the more he focused on them.

He also recalled frantically biking around town, warning anyone who would listen about the imminent danger they were all in. Then he saw Stephie's body hurtling through walls and a building collapsing on top of him. After that, everything went dark.

Christi had told him that a rock had fallen on his head, rendering him unconscious and that his sister swooshed by to save him from getting buried under the rubble.

Dunya and Stephie were fighting, and Christi was talking about the latter's coronation. Did that mean?...

He stole a glance at Christi, and it was as if she could read his thoughts just by looking at him because she immediately answered his unspoken question. "Yes, Stephie emerged victorious in the fight and now possesses powers."

"But what about Dunya?"

"She's no longer herself. She's without powers, and Stephie's bitch," Christi said.

"And what of Stephie?"

"She is now the Supreme ruler of the United States. The President surrendered to her power after realizing the futileness of opposing her, making her word law."

Riddley let out a dismissive snort. "Supreme Ruler? Stephie is nothing more than a conceited brat!"

Christi shook her head. "She's no longer just Stephie. She's ascended to the status of a Goddess, and as humans, we must obey her every demand or suffer her wrath. And you can no longer refer to her as Stephie."

Riddley rolled his eyes, turning to face Christi. "Fine, what am I supposed to call her then?"

"Your Divineness," she replied with a straight face.

Riddley could not contain his laughter, even though it made the pain in his head bouncing even harder.

Amid his laughter, a voice other than Christi's interrupted him. "Are we having fun?"

His eyes widened in surprise as Stephie appeared in his room, adorned in a glittering white gown and gazing at him with a satisfied smirk. Perched atop her head was a golden circlet adorned with a deep blue ruby. She looked regal and confident as she spoke.

Riddley's exclamation of "Stephie!" filled the room, causing Christi to gasp and cover her mouth in shock. "What the hell are you doing here in my room?"

Stephie smiled. "I'll let that one slip since you've just awoken and aren't adjusted to the new reality yet." She took a few steps forward, nearing Riddley's bed. "Dunya, I want to sit."

Dunya appeared suddenly from a corner, hurrying to fetch a chair for Stephie to sit on. She knelt in front of Stephie, bowing her head in respect. "Is everything all comfortable, your Divineness?" she said.

"Yes, yes, leave us be now," Stephie replied, waving Dunya away as she disappeared into the room's shadows.

Riddley's face was filled with disbelief as he stared at the surreal scene before him. Dunya, usually so bold and fearless, now seemed meek and submissive in the presence of a young upstart like Stephie.

"So, it is true then," Riddley spoke with a bitter tone. "My sister kept her promise and let you keep your powers after your victory while taking away Dunya's."

Stephie proudly nodded, crossing one leg over the other and revealing a generous amount of thigh due to her short attire. "It was obvious that I would win, don't you think? Or were you secretly hoping for a different outcome?"

"I would have preferred if you hadn't fought at all," Riddley replied.

Stephie burst out laughing, causing Christi and Dunya to join in. "Well, it's a good thing we did fight because now I have these amazing powers," she said, flexing her arm and giggling with joy.

Suddenly, coming from the hallway, was the sound of a television, its volume turned up by what Riddley thought his mother. "In other news, a new law will come into force today requiring all citizens of the United States to spend at least half an hour every afternoon praying to our beloved Diviness. This must be done with your knees resting on a stony surface, and heads bowed in submission in the dirt."

Stephie checked the time on her phone. "It's almost noon, folks! Get ready to send some prayers my way," she joked with a light laugh. "I suggest finding a good place to pray quickly, as failure to do so could result in a lengthy stay behind bars."

Riddley slammed his fist on the side table. "This is batshit! Where is my sister? Does she approve of this?"

"I have no clue about her whereabouts," Stephie said. "But I do know that she gave me the authority to do whatever I want to this planet. Hell, she even permitted me to administer your punishment and ensure that I discipline you sufficiently."

"What?" Riddley clenched his fists in frustration. He wanted to stand up, but he groaned and remained seated, still feeling too weak.

Stephie chuckled. "Save your energy, Riddley. I'll give you a day to rest, and tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up for our game."

Riddley raised an eyebrow. "Game? What game?"

"You have to name four cities for me to destroy," she smiled.

"Four? But my sister said that–"

"I know what Lindsy said. But the fourth one is for your constant insolence towards me. As a Goddess, I expect appropriate respect from my servants."

Riddley's fist tightened in anger. "You won't get away with this!" he seethed.

"Oh, but I already am," Stephie giggled, her confidence evident. "I can do whatever I want now. Bye-bye."

She blew a kiss before walking away. "Come, thrall." She gestured for Dunya to come with her, and Dunya meekly followed along.

Riddley slammed his hand on the table in frustration. "What is she thinking? Where is my sister?" He turned to Christi, desperate for answers.

Christi avoided his gaze and looked down. "No one knows. She disappeared as soon as Stephie declared war on the government of the United States."

"Is it true that Stephie is now the supreme ruler of our country?" Riddley asked with disbelief.

A heavy sigh escaped from Christi's lips, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm afraid so." She glanced at her phone and noticed the time. "It's almost noon. We need to prepare and find a good spot. I don't want us to end up in jail."