I Didn't Even Think

Chapter One

        Flowers had grown out of seeds of despair. Everybody’s face wore a weeping flower, except Ryces. “Today is the day the 126th rotten citizen is put to death,” his smile pinched my heart.

            “That rotten citizen is Papa!” Jared wailed. His eyes were overflowing pools of sorrow. I stood there aimlessly in the corner bawling inside. Mom moved to the old rocking, and began to whimper in unison with Jared’s cries.  It was a song of tears. Ryce glowered at Jared for starting it.

            “No!” Ryce hissed, “He’s not Papa, he’s a rotten citizen!” Hard lines stretched across his face, shadows lurked in between them. Jared’s cries grew louder. Ryce kicked him onto the floor, then again in his stomach.  “Help, Sky.” Jared breathed. I stared back at him expressionless. He turned away and positioned himself for the next kick.

 “He’s a rotten citizen!” anger bled onto Ryces words. He lunged his foot forward into Jared’s gut.  Jared clutched his knees to his chest and shuddered in pain. I turned for the door, and left him there crying.

            I could still hear Jared’s sobs from outside. I walked to the stables and rested a saddle on Masons back, I could feel Masons body almost crumble under it. His face too wore a weeping flower. Papa had taken care of him when I was too little to. Their bond grew like wild flowers, sprouting in every field that stretched across the earth.

            I remember when Papa, Mason, and I used to share our afternoons together down at the river. It was shallow enough for Mason to trot through. He used to get scared when the fish snuggled against his ankles though. Papa and I laughed together as Mason dashed out of the river, and into to the brush. My face hardened at the thought. It reminded me there was life before the seizing, but after today, it would pain me to go there anyway.

The slab was at the center of town, but it was always a risk going there.  Bloodthirsty guards always lurked in the shadows. Even if you looked at them the wrong way, you’d be prosecuted and most likely killed.

I could watch from Lookers Hill. It would take longer, but I guess it was worth it. I pulled hard on the reins. Mason snorted but then obeyed. I could tell he didn’t want to go. His movements were resistant, and took a long time. I patted his neck softly and leaned over so I was almost kissing his ear. ‘We can rest in sorrow later Mase,” I whispered.

            Mason trudged up the steep path. Each step he took, it became harder to carry through with the plan of doing nothing to save Papa. I would do anything to save him. But I knew in this world, there was no saving. It was everyone for themselves. People roamed hollow and stripped of a heart. Darkness swallowed love whole, apparently never to return, according to Leader.

            I dismounted Mason when we reached the top of the hill. I’ve seen many people be put to death but none were my father. Should I have come? The thought slid down into my stomach and became butterflies.

 We both peered over the edge. Town square was empty, not even Ryce had shown up to witness his doing. Maybe he did care about Papa, I didn’t believe it, but the thought soothed me.

            The three bells poured into my ears. I watched intently as two guards burst out of the Justice Building. Papa was dragged out behind them.  Dried blood crusted his nose, bruises danced on the surface of his body. A tremor exploded through my body.

I knew he was awake and alive, Leaders prisoners always were, but his figure seemed to do nothing to fight back. This was not like Papa, he usually resisted everything issued by the government. What have they done to him? They threw his limp body on to the slab without care. He didn’t resist, not even a word could escape his throat. They tied his wrists and ankles to the four wooden posts.

            I flung my body over Masons eyes as the blade began to fall. Gravity pushed it down hard. I squeezed my eyes shut, and we both waited for the end. My fingers dug into Masons neck.

                        It fell 

                                    Vaulting towards his neck   

                         Then his head was gone.

                       

Arrows of pain stuck into my stomach that was now stripped of a heart. Confusion and loss pulsed through my veins. I gasped for air, but only more sobs clogged my throat. Tears wouldn’t stop flowing. My vision blurred, shapes and colors twisted and merged together. Weakness cut through my body, my grasp loosened on Masons neck. I fell backwards, my head colliding with a rock. I layed there dazed.

                                                                        Papa is gone.