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Journal Entry 23
17. September 2022 It has been two years since I sat at my desk and wrote in my journal. During my disappearance, I was confined to the basement of a dilapidated residence in the northern village of Rüdersdorf, Dorstenland. A heavy metal clasp with a chain that extended to the wall was attached to my ankle from the moment I…
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Journal Entry 22
05. August 2020 The funeral for Karina was held this morning at Wenceslas Cathedral in Eberbach’s City Centre. I was amazed and worried about the thousands of people who poured into the City Centre to pay their respects to Karina as the funeral commenced. The people of Dorstenland have shown so much support that I am still having trouble comprehending…
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Journal Entry 21
01. August 2020 It has taken me a week to get the strength to write a new entry in my journal. On 25. Juli, the knocking on my bedroom door, woke me from my first good sleep since my family was taken from me. Fräulein Heng was calling my name as she frantically knocked harder and harder to get my…
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Journal Entry 20
22. Juli 2020 Even though my secretarial duties required me to attend this afternoon’s parliamentary address by Prime Minister Northcott, I was not obliged to go for obvious reasons. But I needed to go. I wanted Northcott to see me there. The prime minister must know I am watching his every move. Our eyes did meet momentarily as he entered…
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Journal Entry 19
21. Juli 2020 At the insistence of the king, I spent most of the afternoon at the palace. I can feel depression setting in, so I know a change of scenery from my estate was in order. It has been 17 long days since Karina and the children were taken from me. Also, I have not seen one of my…
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Journal Entry 18
20. Juli 2020 I know Fräulein Heng meant well, but by putting two of Dorstenland’s most notorious tabloid newspapers on my desk this morning, she inadvertently started my day off on the wrong foot. One of the tabloids insinuated that I played a role in the disappearance of my wife and children. The other tabloid’s front page had a target…
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Journal Entry 17
18. Juli 2020 The light sounds of knocking on my bedroom door woke me from a well-needed deep sleep. After requesting a few moments to get dressed, I got out of bed and realized I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. I honestly do not even remember going to bed last night. When I opened my bedroom door, I thought I…
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Journal Entry 16
17. Juli 2020 It is tough for me to write this journal entry. The king said it would be therapeutic to write down my thoughts and feelings to keep myself focused. My hand is trembling as I write down these words. I am numb. I am scared. I am furious. I am exhausted. I am deeply depressed. I cannot eat.…
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Journal Entry 15
3. Juli 2020 I am still trying to grasp this week’s events, from the apparent “suicide” of the man who attempted to assassinate the king, to the parliamentary bills presented by the prime minister’s party, which sparked widespread demonstrations throughout Dorstenland. Add the COVID-19 pandemic to the mix; I feel I am living in an alternative reality. After Prime Minister…
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Journal Entry 14
30. Juni 2020 Today’s press conference by the prime minister in which he announced the death of the man who tried to assassinate the king was chilling. The explanation Prime Minister Northcott provided for the prisoner’s “suicide” seemed a bit contrived. At least to me, his demeanor appeared to harden the more questions that were asked by the press. As…
