The sun cuts into my eyes like flashing hot coals as salty rivers of sweat run down the hills and valleys of my masked face. The crowd has grown unbearably large around me, the faint hum of hushed whispers building and crashing against my ears like a tidal wave. Amidst this torrent of sound, a thousand eyes are turned to me. My legs quiver like a child’s as he takes his first steps and the weight of the axe in my hand is going to tear my arm from its socket any second. I do not know the man I am about to kill.
Across the courtyard the prisoner is escorted to me by four armed men. His wrists are shackled, the rusted chains laughing as they scrape against the dirt. His face is empty and hollow. His body is a painted skeleton. I do not know the name of the man I am about to kill. The crowd falls silent. They gaze as the prisoner slowly ascends the stairs to meet me, each step a gentle whimper that echoes through my bones. I can feel my heart trying to punch a hole through my chest. Somewhere in the distance, a bird is singing. I do not know the crime of the man I am about to kill. The guards remove his chains and he stands before me. His eyes drift up to meet mine and he lets loose the faint whimper of a dying calf. “He can't speak,” one of the guards tells me. “Last night we cut out his tongue.” I do not know the last words of the man I am about to kill. The guard slaps his hand on the prisoners shoulder and throws him to the floor. The prisoner does not fight when the guard places his head on the chopping block, and he does not need to be tied in place. The crowd’s attention is fixed, their eyes burning into my soul. I hoist my axe above my head, the sunlight gleaming from its cruel blade. I slam down hard. The deafening roar of the crowd drowns out the sound of the axe ripping through flesh and bone. Bestial screams attack me from all sides. The prisoners head rolls and a geyser of blood shoots from his neck, painting the chopping block a deep shade of death. I try to look away, but I can't. I do not know the man I have just killed. Comments are closed.
|
Editorial StaffEditor in Chief Categories
All
|