~*~The Murder That Changed Everything~*~
Written by: Ashley McCubbin
�Good morning,� Jr yelled as he ran down the stairs.
�Good morning Prince Jr,� Emily responded. �Breakfast is on the table sir.�
Jr went and sat at the table. Jr was a prince and not long ago, moved from his parent�s castle to a castle of his own he shared with his beautiful princess. Jr had the nicest dreamy eyes and the silkiest brown hair. His princess Ashley had nice brown hair that blew so nicely in the wind that went so nicely with her hazel colored eyes.
�Where�s Princess Ashley?� Emily asked.
�She is upstairs getting ready,� Jr answered. �So now that everyone knows you�re with Shannon, are you two planning on getting married?�
�Yes sir,� Emily replied. �We are getting married on the 15th in February. Is that ok with you?�
�Of course it is,� replies Jr. Jr actually was looking forward to seeing Emily married since she was such a nice person to be around. Ever since Martin committed suicide, she�d been down and now she was turning to a really happy person because she had found the true love she needed.
�Hello Emily and Jr,� Ashley said as she sat down at the table.
�Good Morning Princess Ashley,� Emily greeted. �Me and Head Knight Shannon Myers are getting married on the 15th next month. He asked to marry me not long ago.�
�That is so cool,� Ashley commented. �I wish you luck on your marriage.�
�Thank you,� Emily thanked her. Emily then headed to the kitchen.
�What do you think of their relationship Jr?� Ashley asked.
�I approve of it Ashley,� Jr answered. �Emily needs to be with someone who can make her happy. She was so sad after her first crush Martin killed himself and now that she�s found a true love that will be with her, I really am happy for her.�
�Ok,� Ashley said. �I can�t believe that were already 9 days into the New Year.�
�Well that�s how fast time goes around here,� Jr commented.
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�So do you think that things will go great this year and uneventful?� Brenda asked.
�Yes I do Brenda,� Dale answered. �All the evilness of Jr and Ashley�s marriage has died down so I think we will have one year full of peace. Why do you ask?�
�Because I�d like a year of nothing big happening,� Brenda replies.
�Well I think we all want that,� Dale added.
�We all do want that,� Brenda corrected him.
�So what do you want to do today?� Dale asked.
�I don�t know,� Brenda answered. �I have no ideas. Do you?�
�No I don�t,� Dale replied.
�Ok,� Brenda said. She then headed up to her chamber.
�Queen Brenda and King Dale, breakfast is ready,� Aimee yelled.
Yet they didn�t start to head down. Usually when she screamed that it was ready they�d come down and have breakfast. So she went upstairs and knocked on their door. She got no response. She opened the door and saw that the king�s throat was slit. She then turned to the where the queen was and saw that she was covered in poison and probably was poisoned.
�Joshua Snider, get your ass up here!� Aimee screamed.
Josh ran up the stairs and yelled, �Its Head Knight Josh Snider to you.�
�Sorry sir,� Aimee pleaded. �Yet this is an emergency. Look into the queen and king�s room.�
Josh looked into the room and saw the two of them there. �Aimee, call the hospital and tell Dr. Austin to get over here ASAP!�
�Ok sir,� Aimee said. She ran to the phone and called Dr. Austin.
Soon after, Dr. Austin was there. He went straight to the room and checked both of them and declared that they were murdered that night.
�I�ll go over and tell the prince and princess,� Josh said.
�I will come with you incase they are injured in anyway,� Dr. Austin said. They then headed out the door. As they headed out the door, Ryan Moore came in ready to take the bodies to the funeral home.
Josh and Dr. Austin ran to the prince and princess�s castle. They went straight upstairs to the room of the prince and princess.
�Princess Ashley and Prince Jr, may I please come in?� Josh asked. �I have some news for you.�
�Come in right away,� Ashley answered.
Josh then came in with Dr. Austin.
�I�m sorry that this had to happen yet Queen Brenda and King Dale were murdered last night,� Josh started. �I will give you your time to grieve before the funeral and the presentation of the new king and queen which you can figure out who that�ll be.�
�Yeah us,� Jr said as he started to cry. �I can�t believe it.� Jr was about to get up when a shock of pain hit him and he sat down.
�What�s wrong?� Dr. Austin asked.
�He is sad due to the murder,� Josh answered. �Let�s go and let them be.�
�Its not that Josh,� Jr corrected Josh. �My leg hurts a lot.�
�Ok,� Dr. Austin said. �Josh, can you please help me carry Jr to the hospital?�
�Of course,� Josh answered.
Josh and Dr. Austin then carried Jr to the hospital. When they got to the hospital, they went to a room and genteelly laid him on a bed.
�Where on your leg does it hurt the most?� Dr. Austin asked.
�From my knee to my foot,� Jr answered through his tears.
Ashley gave him a big hug and said, �Here�cry on my shoulder. You�re not alone and I will never let you be alone with this, ok?�
�Ok Ashley,� replied Jr. Jr then let the tears out like a huge waterfall.
�I�m going to do an x-ray and see what is the matter, ok?� Dr. Austin checked his plans with Jr.
�Ok,� Jr answered. �As long as Ashley gets to stay with me.�
�Of course she can Jr,� Dr. Austin said. He then took Jr to the x-ray room and ran some x-rays. After the x-rays were done, he took Jr back and said, �I�ll be back with the results real soon.�
�Ok,� Jr said.
Dr. Austin then left to go look over the x-rays.
*********************
�Hey Shane, I found something interesting,� Policemen Todd said.
�What did you find?� Policemen Shane asked.
�I found the murder weapon,� Todd answered.
�Put it in a bag and we will examine it for fingerprints,� Shane told Todd.
�Ok,� Todd said. He then did as Shane said. �Did you find anything?�
�No,� Shane answered. �After we leave, we have to go to Head Island and report the murder.�
�Yes we do,� Todd said. �First we need to get a death certificate for the king and queen from Ryan.�
�Here it is,� Ryan said as he handed it to Todd. �Now do you need the bodies of the victims?�
�No we�ll be fine without them,� Shane replied.
Shane and Todd looked over and found nothing else. They then left and started to head to Head Island.
**************
�The results of the x-rays are that your leg is broken in the area you said hurts a lot,� Dr. Austin started. �I am going to get Nurse Randy to elevate it and tomorrow Surgeon Peach will look over it and see if it needs surgery, ok?�
�Ok,� Jr said quietly.
�Nurse Randy!� Dr. Austin called.
�Yes sir?� Randy yelled as she ran to the room.
�Can you elevate Prince Jr.�s leg for me?� Dr. Austin requested.
�Certainly,� Randy accepted. She then took some pillows and elevated his leg for him.
�Good Morning Prince Jr,� Georgia said as she entered the room. �I�m Surgeon Peach. Now, have you had breakfast yet?�
�Yes,� Jr answered. �Nurse Randy brought it to me not long ago and I ate it already.�
�Ok,� Georgia said. �Can I see your leg please?�
�Ok,� Jr answered. He kicked the blanket off completely with the other leg and said, �If you roll up the pant leg you can see it pretty good.�
Georgia rolled up the pant leg and looked over his leg. �Well it doesn�t look too bad on the outside through I�ll need to look at the x-ray.� She then left to look over the x-ray.
Ashley then entered the room and said, �Hey sweetie.�
�Hey Ash,� Jr said.
�Did Surgeon Peach come and see you yet?� She asked.
�Yeah,� Jr answered. �She�s gone to look at the x-rays that were taken yesterday.�
�Ok,� she said. �Everything ok?�
�How can things be ok Ashley when my parents are murdered by someone?� Jr starts off. �How can everything be ok when I am in pain that has been caused by someone? Maybe that someone is someone I�ve never seen before. Maybe that someone is someone who was with Jimmie or Jeff. Maybe that someone is you and you wanted to be all pretty nice for about a year and then kill my parents and hurt me. Does everything look ok from what I have told you?�
�No,� Ashley replied. �But are you blaming me now? Because let me tell you something. I would never hurt you in anyway Jr. Hell would be what I�d live with for my life if you died. I�d let myself get hurt before letting you get hurt from someone else or me.�
�I�m sorry for blaming you,� Jr apologized as he started to cry. �I just don�t know what to say about this. I mean I loved my parents so much and I never wanted something like them getting killed to happen. Again I�m sorry.�
�Its ok Jr,� Ashley forgave him. �I understand that right now is really tough on you.� She then gave him a hug and said, �Jr, let the tears out. The tears are what need to come out. All that pain you are holding inside needs to come out. Let it out my prince. And I�m sure Shane and Todd will catch the killers.�
�They better,� Jr threatened.
Georgia then came into the room, �Hello future Queen Ashley. Jr, the results I have is you are close to getting surgery yet not to the point where you need it.�
�Ok,� Jr said as he lifted his head up from Ashley�s shoulder. �Will my leg heal faster if I get surgery?�
�Yes,� Georgia said. �Would you like a Kleenex Jr?�
�No it�s ok Surgeon Peach,� Jr answered. �Then I would like to go through with the surgery.�
�Nurse Randy!� Georgia yelled. �Take Prince Jr down to the surgery room and prepare him for surgery on his leg.�
�Yes ma�am,� Randy said. She then took Jr down to the room.
�If you want you can go wait in the waiting room for Jr,� Georgia suggested.
�Ok,� Ashley said. She then went and sat in the waiting room.
********************
�Brian, two men are here to see you,� Mike said.
�Send them in,� Brian instructed.
Mike went and sent Todd and Shane in.
�Hello Policemen Todd and Policemen Shane,� Brian greeted them.
�Hello Sir France,� Todd and Shane said together.
�We bring some sad news for you from Summer Island,� Shane started.
�What has happened at Summer Island?� Brian asked.
�King Dale Earnhardt and Queen Brenda Earnhardt were murdered in a midnight murder,� Shane reported. �We have the death certificate right here coming from Ryan Moore.�
�What is this Ryan Moore in charge of?� Brian questioned as he looked at the death certificate.
�He is in charge of taking the dead bodies to the funeral home,� Todd explained.
�Do you have any clues to who caused this murder?� Brian asked.
�We found the murder weapon that killed the king sir,� Shane answered. �It�s in a bag ready to be taken to Ron for fingerprint examination.�
�Ok then,� Brian said. �You two go down that and find out who caused this mess well I go to Summer Island to talk to Prince Dale Earnhardt Jr and Princess Ashley Earnhardt about the future and about the funeral there.�
�Yes sir,� Shane and Todd said.
They then left Brian�s castle and went to the Fingerprint Examination office.
�Hello may we please see Ron Hornaday Jr?� Shane said when he got there. �It is regarding the murder of the king and queen.�
�Go right in,� David Green said.
Shane and Todd then went to Ron�s office.
�Ron, we need to talk to you about something,� Shane started. �At the crime scene of the murder of King Dale Earnhardt and Queen Brenda Earnhardt, we found the murder weapon that killed Dale Earnhardt. Can you check for fingerprints and see who they match?�
�Of course,� Ron answered.
Shane then gave Ron the bag and Ron carefully emptied the weapon out. He rubbed off the fingerprints and put them in the machine. After a few minutes, the name of the murderer came up.
�The name of the murderer is Chandra Johnson, widow of Jimmie Johnson,� Ron reported. �Shall I print is so you have it on record?�
�Yes please,� Shane answered.
Ron then printed it and handed the sheet to Shane.
�Thank you Ron for finding this information for us,� Shane thanked Ron. �Todd lets go get Chandra.�
�Ok partner,� Todd said.
They then left and headed back to Summer Island to arrest Chandra for the murder.
************************
�The surgery to Prince Dale Earnhardt Jr was success and he has come out of recovery in perfect condition,� Georgia reported to Ashley. �Do you want to see him?�
�Yes please,� Ashley answered. Ashley then went to the room Jr was in. �Hey Jr.�
�Hey Ash,� Jr said.
�How are you feeling now?� Ashley asked.
�Well I got no pain but I have to wear this cast and stay here for a week,� Jr answered.
�Well I�m glad there is no more pain to worry about,� Ashley comments.
�Me too,� Jr agreed
�Hello Prince Jr and Princess Ashley,� Brian greeted them. �I�m here to talk about your ceremony and the funeral of the king and queen.�
�Ok,� Jr and Ashley said.
�Now how long do you have to stay here for?� Brian asked.
�A week,� Jr answered.
�Ok,� Brian said. �Then on January 19th, we will hold the funeral and on the 20th, we will hold the ceremony. Has there been someone set to become the new princess or prince?�
�Yeah my dad told me who last year,� Jr answered. �My sister Kelley.�
�Ok,� Brian said. �Is she married?�
�Yes,� replied Jr. �And she has a daughter.�
�Thanks for the information on that Jr,� Brian thanked Jr. �Where can I find Kelley?�
�She is living out the queen and king�s castle,� Jr answered.
�Ok,� Brian said. �I will be talking to you but now I need to go so good bye.�
�Bye Brian,� Jr said.
Brian then left the room.
�Ashley�do you think we can make a good combination for the top of the throne?� Jr asked.
�Yes,� Ashley answered. �We together are two unstoppable powerful people who nobody can ever stop so I really think we can keep Summer Island a good place to live in.�
�Ok,� Jr said.
�Prince Jr, do you feel any pain?� Dr. Austin asked as he entered the room.
�No sir,� Jr answered.
�Nice to hear Jr,� Dr. Austin commented. �Do you want anything?�
�No thank you,� Jr answered.
**************
Shane and Todd knocked on the door to Chandra�s house and there was no answer.
�This is the police!� Shane yelled. �You open up or we will break this door down. We know you�re in there.�
Chandra then went and opened the door.
�Chandra Johnson, you are arrested for the murder of Queen Brenda Earnhardt and King Dale Earnhardt,� Shane said as he put Chandra in handcuffs.
�I thought you said you made sure you didn�t leave in traces of being there,� Brooke yelled.
�I thought I didn�t Brooke,� Chandra corrected her.
�Since you know of the murder Brooke Gordon, you are arrested to for the murder f Queen Brenda Earnhardt and King Dale Earnhardt,� Todd said as he put her hands in hand cuffs. �You have the right to remain silence. Anything you say or do will be used against in the court of law including what you girls just exchanged.�
�What evidence do you have to arrest me?� Chandra asked.
�We found the murder weapon with fingerprints on it,� Shane started. �You also have motive and the exchange between you and Brooke proves that you did it all together.�
�Just great,� Chandra said. �Thanks a lot Brooke.�
�You shouldn�t have left the murder weapon there,� Brooke yelled back.
Shane and Todd then hauled them to jail.
�This is case #1 for today,� Jimmy Spenser started. �Brooke, how do you plead to count of murder of the king and queen?�
�Guilty sir,� Brooke answered.
�Chandra, how do you plead?� Jimmy Spenser asked.
�Guilty,� Chandra answered.
�Then you are both sentenced to death,� Jimmy Spenser said. �Please go in the back and stand up against the wall and then the bitchy guard Kurt Busch will kill you. Court dismissed.�
Chandra and Brooke went outside the back door and stood against the wall and Kurt Busch stabbed them 3 times each with a sword. And they were dead soon after.
********************
�Jr and Ashley, Chandra Johnson and Brooke Gordon pled guilty to the murder of the king and queen,� Brian said. �They are now dead.�
�Ok,� Jr said. �Thanks for telling me.�
�You�re welcome,� Brian said. �Are you ready for the funeral tomorrow?�
�Not really,� Jr answered. �Yet we might as well go through with it.�
�Jr, everything looks good,� Dr, Austin reported. �You can leave now. Just be careful and if you are extra careful, your leg will be better in a month and a half.�
�Ok,� Jr said. �Bye Dr. Austin.�
�Good bye Prince Jr,� Dr. Austin said.
Jr then left and headed with Mike. Everyone from Summer Island that lived in the castle was headed to Head Island for the funeral and for the crowning of the new king and queen.
�We are gathered here to pay tribute to one of the best kings ever and also one of the best queens ever,� the minister started. �That king being King Dale Earnhardt and the queen being Brenda Earnhardt. These two touched many hearts and curtain people have been called to share a tale about them. First I call upon Brian France, head of Head Island.�
Brian then walked up and said, �I don�t know what to share. There were so many. First and for most, I want to say that Chandra Johnson and Brooke Gordon were convicted of the murder of them both. The one I have on my mind now does with how Ashley and Jr got together. Dale knew that something was up so he sent me a letter. I then went and rescue Ashley and got these two together. And what did he give me? I big thank you note. I still have the note. That�s all I have to say. Next is Prince Dale Jr.�
Jr went up and said through his tears, �You know, I never wanted to have to come up and do a speech like this. I mean, this is the hardest speech I�ll have to do. I really have no particular memory that sticks out in my mind about them. All I know is that they were two caring people who I loved a lot. No matter what they always cared about me even if what I did was real wrong. And that�s what I�m going to remember them for. Ashley, it�s your turn now.�
�Ok,� Ashley said. She came up and stood at the stand. �What Jr said is all true and more. When I first came, they were caring right from the start and really didn�t know that much about me. And they made sure that everything was perfect and nice for us. I will remember them for their kindness.�
�That�s all we have to say,� Jr said. �Here is the minister to say the final words for the day.�
�May they rest in peace,� the minister started. �May those who will assume their role be blessed by god. Brian has something to say before you leave.�
�The ceremony for the crowning of the new queen and king will take place tomorrow morning,� Brian started. �Please be there on time. That�s it. You can leave.�
Everyone then left.
�We are gathered here today to crown two new queen and kings,� Brian starts off. �As you all know, King Dale Earnhardt and Queen Brenda Earnhardt were killed in a midnight murder 10 days ago. Meaning there is no longer a queen or king of Summer Island. When that happens, the Prince and Princess are promoted to top of the throne while someone else will go to their spot. If there is no one available to assume the role of queen and king, then I will say who gets that role next. May I ask that Prince Dale Earnhardt Jr, Princess Ashley Earnhardt and Kelley Earnhardt please come up to the front.�
Jr, Ashley and Kelley walked up and took their seats.
�May Prince Dale Earnhardt Jr please come up to the front and stand before the crowd,� Brian directed. Jr then got up and went and stood beside Brian. �Dale Jr is the person that will assume the role as king. He will be in charge of keeping the island safe and out of harms way. He will also be in charge of his knights and how they are treated around the palace. Dale Jr, do you wish to be King of Summer Island?�
�Yes I do wish to be king,� Jr answered.
�Do you promise to make sure that the island is safe and that all your knights are well trained?� Brian asked.
�Yes I do,� replied Jr. �I promise to make sure that Summer Island is the safest island in the world.�
�Last but not least, do you promise to treat everyone on the island with respect?� Brian asked.
�Yes I do,� Jr answered. �I promise to be nice to each person on the island and not say anything mean to anybody.�
�May Princess Ashley McCubbin please come up to the front and stand before the crowd,� Brian directed. Ashley then went up and stood beside Brian. �Ashley is the person that will assume the role as queen. She will be in charge of making sure that everything goes well there. Plus a ton of other things. Ashley, do you wish to be Queen of Summer Island?�
�Yes,� Ashley answered.
�Do you promise to make sure that everything goes well on Summer Island?� Brian asked.
�Yes,� replied Ashley.
�Do you promise to fulfill your duty as queen?� Brian questioned.
�Yes,� Ashley answered.
�May Kelley Holm please come up to the front and stand before the crowd,� Brian directed. Kelley came up and stood beside Brian. �Kelley is the person that will assume the role as princess. She will be asked to help the king and queen out and if either is not able to do something, she is to be there to do it. Kelley, do you wish to be princess of Summer Island?�
�Yes I do Brian,� Kelley answered.
�Do you promise to help the king and queen in their duties?� Brian asked.
�Yes I do,� replied Kelley. �That would be an honor to do.�
�Kelley, please call upon your husband who will be crowned the prince if he wishes,� Brian directed.
�Roy, I ask that you please come up here,� Kelley said.
Roy came up there and stood beside Kelley and said, �Your wish at my command Princess.�
�Brian and I are giving you the opportunity to become the prince of Summer Island if you accept,� Kelley started. �Do you want to be the prince of Summer Island?�
�Yes I do,� Roy said.
�I now present to you Queen Ashley Earnhardt, King Dale Earnhardt Jr, Princess Kelley Holm and Prince Roy Holm,� Brian said. �Let the celebration party begin when we go to Summer Island tomorrow,�
That night at the party, everyone was dancing and chilling out.
�You know what I hate about having this broken leg is?� Jr started. �Is the fact that I cannot dance at my own crowning celebration. Like, how unfair is that?�
�That is totally unfair my dear king,� Ashley answered. �Through when you get better, we shall hold a special party just so you can dance.�
�Aww so sweet my dear queen,� Jr said. �I look forward to the party.�
�Well there is a way we can let him dance,� Kevin began. �Matt, come over here. Lets go through with are plan.�
Matt came over and said, �Hello King Dale Jr. I�d like to congratulate you from one king to another on your crowning.�
�Yes, same here,� Kevin started. �I myself would like to congratulate you also.�
�Well thank you King Kevin of St. Louis�s and King Matt of Winter Island,� Jr said.
�And for that we have a little present for you,� Matt began. He and Kevin then helped Jr up and took him over to the dance floor. �Now, carefully keep your leg off the ground and we shall hold you and help you join us in some fun dancing to a fun song. Oh DJ Kasey, can you please put on that groovy song I wanted?�
�Your wish at my command,� Kasey answered. He then changed the song and put the song on.
�Thanks Kasey,� Matt thanked Kasey. �Ash, come join us. And bring along Dalandra and Katie. We 3 queens and 3 kings shall have some fun together.�
�Ok,� Ashley said. She then got Dalandra and Katie and they headed on to the dance floor together.
As they were dancing, they were joking around and of course being extra careful.
Halfway through the song Jr goes, �Thanks Matt and Kev. I owe you one.�
�No you don�t,� Matt said. �It�s a little present for you that I owed you from earlier if you remember.�
�Oh shut up about that!� Jr yelled. �That was not suppose to go that way.�
�It ended up going that way through,� Katie joked. �And I wanted it this way.�
�Of course you did,� Jr said. �You loved Matt from Day 1 yet he didn�t want anything to do with you. And then I come along and set it all up. Puhlease! I wouldn�t have known if it wasn�t for Danny blabbing his big mouth off around the castle.�
�Now what did you say about your uncle?� Danny double checked.
�Nothing,� Jr answered. �Nothing that matters anymore.�
Soon after the song ended and Matt and Kevin took Jr back over to where he was sitting.
�When there is a slow song, do you want me to help you with the idea of dancing with your queen?� Matt asked.
�No Matt,� Jr answered. �I think I�m just going to chill for the rest of the night since I do want my leg to get better.�
�Fine with me,� Matt said. He then left and went back on the dance floor.
The rest of the night not much happened. It was a just pure dance party night. As Jr sat there watching everybody, he was thinking about how�d his days as king would go. Would he be the king they wanted? Or would he fail? Those were the questions lingering his head. Through only time would tell
~*~The End~*~
