1

Romeo’s hands shook as he held the cup of poison he had bought from the apothecary. He looked at the bloody dagger lying in front of him. And the body of Paris near his feet.

At a distance stood Juliet’s coffin, a simple ornate box, lined with soft incensed cotton, on which lay a fragile flower, Juliet. Her face was beautiful. Who could have guessed that she was no more?

If death could be as beautiful as life, then Juliet could have been still sleeping.

Romeo’s heart wrenched, because he knew Juliet had left him, forever.

He raised the glass to his lips.

A strong blow threw the chalice on the floor where it broke into a million glass shards. The contents spread on the floor, seeping into the ground.

“What the...”

But he was cut off by the person who had dealt the blow, “You know what you were doing?”

A lithe figure of a young woman, lovely auburn hair that flamed in the dark, sharp features and gorgeous cobalt eyes. Her lips were drawn into a thin line, and she seemed the perfect picture of fury.

“Mr. Romeo Montague. You’re under arrest on charges of attempts to commit suicide,” there was a pair of handcuffs in her hand, which gleamed in the lamp-light.

“But I don’t understand my lady…”

“Of course you do. Charge number two, murder of Paris,” the girl declared.

“Ummm…I…I didn’t know…,” Romeo stammered.

“Charge number three, dealing in illegal drugs,” she went and knelt down beside the broken splinter of the chalice.

She whipped out a pair of disposable gloves from her pocket, took a paper napkin from her backpack and picked up one of the pieces.

“This goes to the forensic department, and you come to court with me,” she said, putting the wrapped piece in her pocket.

“My lady if I may explain,” a voice was heard from the entrance of the grave. The Friar was standing there, trying to figure out how to approach.

“No you won’t. I have an arrest warrant against you too. Charges of aiding illegal marriage, not to forget use of potentially harmful drugs like anesthetics on a girl, without the consent of a medical practitioner,” she pointed at Juliet.

“But she’s dead,” Romeo protested.

“That’s where you’re wrong. She has simply been put under general anesthesia, a death like sleep,” she snapped.

“That means she’s alive. What a relief! Oh, I love her, I’m so happy now,” Romeo was ecstatic.

“Recorded the statement,” the girl was holding a mini recorder in her hand, “Charge four, pedophilia, though it may go under the psychiatric cases.”

“That’s not true…”

“Miss Juliet Capulet is only 13, and according to official records, you’re 18,” she interrupted, “You just confirmed your sexual attraction towards Miss Juliet and we have reports of you two consummating your marriage, which means you, without any regrets had sex with a minor.”

She threw a pointed look at the Friar, “Arrest warrant for assisting and abetting child marriage. You’re under arrest too Mr. Friar."

“You’re known to be quite violent,” she tossed her head at Romeo, “You have another case pending, murder of Tybalt.”

“He killed Mercutio. I avenged his death,” replied Romeo, stonily.

“That’s the petition you’ll present at the court of justice, I’m just the messenger,” she rolled her eyes.

“What exactly is happening here? Can anyone explain to me?” a frail voice whispered.

Juliet was trying to raise herself from the coffin but she fell back again.

“Oh honey! You need to rest. You were under the effect of anesthesia,” the woman rushed up to Juliet’s side, helping her lie down again, “You must stay at rest, head reeling and nausea maybe the common symptoms after this.”

“What are you talking about? I am confused,” her voice was groggy.

“Nothing dear, I’m here to punish these creeps who took advantage of your age and your trust. These men will go to the court,” the graceful lady soothed.

“Juliet, you’re alive,” breaking his shocked reverie, Romeo was there beside her in an instant.

“Get away you dirty man, don’t dare outrage her modesty anymore,” Romeo was roughly pushed aside.

“But, I love him, and I’m betrothed to him,” Juliet protested.

“You’re too naive,” the girl in the dangerously hot, figure hugging black leather suit exclaimed, “Your marriage comes under the purview of child marriage and sexual exploitation of a minor. You need to get divorced immediately. You can marry him once you enter the legal age of 18.”

“Damn! Think about me. It’s certainly better to be married to someone I love, even if illegally, than stay back and marry that vile creature, Paris,” Juliet tried to reason.

“Paris is dead, and your lover has Paris’ blood on his arms,” she informed Juliet.

Juliet caught a glimpse of the cold body of Paris, caked with blood and dust. She let out a muffled scream.

“Think twice about whom you love. He’s a serial killer. He has no control over his anger. Two murders in a short time. There’s surely some underlying psychology. But don’t worry, the doctors will take care. Meanwhile darling, we need to get a thorough heath checkup done for you, honey. We need to check for unwanted pregnancies and STDs after what you did three nights back with him,” the girl ranted on in one breath.

“I don’t understand a word you’re talking. Who are you? You know her,” Juliet looked around at Romeo and the Friar.

They both nodded their heads in unison.

“Of course you don’t know me,” the lady tossed back her hair.

Then she turned to the three of them, smartly took out an identity card, flashed it before their eyes and said, “Clarence Watson, detective, literature travel Grade-A, time-patrol department.”

The three people gaped at her like idiots.

She shrugged, “Fine! What do I care? I am on a special mission to detect all negatives in literature, trace out its source and eliminate all potential crimes. Studies in our time have proved that unpunished crime and violence, in books they read, can put an effect on young minds. This has been one of the chief causes of rise in crimes from molestation and rape, to murder, arson and stuff. We at the lit-crimes department thus have set out on a mission to punish all kinds of crimes, and record them in literature to make youth realise their folly. And I am here to arrest Mr. Romeo and the Friar. And Miss Juliet will provide evidence against the duo.”

The others shook their head more vigorously.

“The gist of the matter is, you’re coming with me,” she pressed a button on her wrist and the whole grave was immersed in an eerie blue light.

2

When the light cleared, they found themselves in a big room with a crowded gallery, all with solemn faces, shooting them death glares.

And in front of them was the judge. No black robe, no wig, no expression on his face, a cool, dignified personality, in a pinstriped suit, matching gold rimmed glasses, typing away on his laptop.

As the baffled people from the Victorian era struggled to fathom what was happening, Romeo was dragged to the stands and Juliet to the witness box.

The judge called, or rather typed the court to order, as the words flashed on the screens covering every inch of the wall space.

“What will happen if the case goes against him?”

Clarence looked at the innocent face of Juliet. Her heart flinched for the poor girl. But Clarence knew that Juliet had been duped all the while. The poor trusting girl was being used by older men in the name of love. Clarence knew best how to deal with them. She had all her arguments well thought out.

“It’s just a matter of time before they are judged guilty by the jury,” Clarence put on a blank expression, “And their decision will be final.”

“I want to save Romeo, please. I don’t have a world without him. I can’t go back to my family, now that they know, I’m dead. What would I do without Romeo? Help me,” Juliet pleaded.

“Did he tell you that he used to love Rosalind?”

“What? No. But I never asked too.”

“Juliet, if you’re old enough to go against your parents to marry him, then you should realise that the world is not what you think it to be. You shouldn’t believe anyone so easily.”

“But…”

“Love is based on trust, girl. He doesn’t have enough faith in this relationship to actually dare speak the truth,” Clarence interrupted.

“But wasn’t he going to kill himself for me? Why would he do that? I heard you speaking. The effects of that drug were wearing off at that time,” Juliet reasoned.

“I never told he doesn’t love you,” Clarence replied indignantly, “It’s just that…Oh fine. You are two star crossed lovers meant for each other. It’s useless to argue with you both. I will take it as youth’s folly and try to help.”

“Thank you,” Juliet whispered.

“Girl, I haven’t helped you yet. Don’t thank me too early,” Clarence rose from her seat and went to the judge.

She whispered something in his ear. He frowned nodding his head. She whispered again, glancing time and again at Juliet. Finally the judge smiled a broad smile.

“Okay friends. Here we have an interesting proposal. According to sources, Mr. Romeo killed Tybalt to avenge his friend’s death. That is something which can be excused. Trying to commit suicide and dealing in drugs needs fine to be paid. We’ll convert the money in our terms. But Paris’ murder needs further investigation,” declared the judge, “Romeo, we will allow you to go home, but, you have to promise us to annul your marriage and rightfully claim her hand after four years.”

“But our families…,”Romeo began but was cut-off by the judge.

“See for yourself,” he declared.

A crowd of people entered the stage. Lord and Lady Capulet, Romeo’s father, and a few friends.

Seeing her parents, Juliet rose from her seat. And rushed into the arms of her stunned mother.

“Lord Capulet, your daughter is alive, rejoice, but yes, she loves Romeo. He thought her to be dead and was going to kill himself. Juliet would have woken up, seen him, and stabbed herself too. Fortunately we intervened and stopped it all. So, you should make up all differences with Lord Montague, to avoid any further heart breaks and disaster,” Clarence spoke.

“I never knew that,” Lady Capulet hugged her daughter, suppressing a sob.

“It’s true my lady,” Juliet’s nurse confirmed.

“I don’t have a problem if he agrees,” Lord Montague came and patted Capulet on the back.

“Damn you old man! We were friends when we were young. Never realised when we had become rivals,” Mr. Capulet shook his hand, locking him in an embrace.

Juliet rushed into the open hands of Romeo.

“You’ll be mine, this time legally, in four years,” he whispered, burying his face in her beautiful hair.

“What about me?” the still handcuffed Friar appealed.

Clarence silently freed him, “When everyone is forgiven, you are too. But never give in to whims of kids in future.”

“Hands on my heart,” the Friar smiled.

3

Clarence was looking at the couple, remembering Jared, remembering the time when she has tried to kill herself upon his death. Unknown by all, she blinked away the rapidly forming tears.

“Could anybody please tell what I’m doing here,” a voice broke her reverie.

There stood a balding man, in a buttoned doublet, with sleeves laced up to the armholes, attached to his hose and shoes.

“Ah! Mr. William Shakespeare,” Clarence greeted, “We need you to redefine destiny for Romeo and Juliet.”

“What about my ending lines,” he protested.

“There was never a tale of more blessed fate,
Than that of Romeo and Juliet!” Clarence gave a broad smile.

2000 words completed.

A/N For a Classics Retelling by adultfiction
Thanks to all my friends for reading.... I dedicate this story to tanuandchamp my senior, my special sister and my inspiration. Though she doesn't write on Wattpad! But I would love to see her publish ... Cause she's a beautiful writer.

Thanks to my regular readers Pipigrin
teamhathaway and all those who ever encourage me to excel.