Wielder Of Fate

Chapter 3: Death Day Pt. 2

***

Nothing can prepare you for the day you die.

Not even the past three years of waiting for my execution had prepared me for mine. 

It wasn’t until the legions soldiers marched through the gate, across the gardens, up the stairs and into my room that the surreal reality began to sink in.

Helplessly, I felt as the icy metal enveloped my skin, trapping my hands together, allowing no room for a possible escape. Soldiers on both sides tightly held my shoulders, guiding me through the network of corridors connecting the school. Never in my life had I been more grateful for the schools complex layout, it allowed me a few more minutes to live. 

I had never been one to value affectionate goodbyes, but as we walked through the school’s passageways, I had never felt so alone. Not one child, teacher or supervisor met my eye, no one uttered a single word, not even a goodbye.

My final journey to the town square was filled with nothing but the scornful glares of people I had conversed, met and grown up with. Except for the occasional snide remark, none of the villagers offered me any form of comfort. 

As we approached the location of my hanging, A sizable crowd of townsfolk appeared through the carriages window, circled around the center platform. At first I was confused about the nature of this crowd, until it all became apparent. They had gathered to watch me die.

“Welcome to this month's freak execution” the announcer boomed through his microphone.

“Today we have a lousy, prideful, snobby mage awaiting his hanging!” he continued. 

The crowd cheered loudly.

I gazed around at the sea of faces below me. People I had known for the past three years. 

James, the butcher who had always given me extra meat whenever I was tasked with gathering ingredients for the schools chefs. Merylin, who had always given me baked goodies any time I was allowed to walk through the town. John, who had always let me send my letters to Lor, even when I couldn’t pay for their delivery. All of them stared up at me with wide smiles plastered across their face, anxiously awaiting my demise. 

As the countdown began, I thought about my family. Finally, I would be with them once again. I wish I had of been killed along with my family three years ago, at least my death wouldn’t have felt as lonely. 

I thought of Lor. There was no longer a prospect of ever seeing him again. All the years we spent planning the things we would do together in the capital after I escaped would never come to fruition. 

“3”

“2”

“1”

The platform fell and the rope tightened. I had never experienced this level of pain in my entire life. I listened as my neck snapped and my body drooped. I waited for my mind to lose consciousness, but death never came.

Why?

Why am I still alive?