Glitch's Short Stories

Treasonous Fates

"May God have mercy on your souls."

SNAP!

I pulled the lever in front of me. Necks snapped, and there was eerie silence in the plaza, despite hundreds watching. The people closest to the gallows scrunched their eyes over the sight that beheld them – five hanging women whose faces were covered in cloth. Gruesome, but normal.

As guards retrieved the corpses, those next in the death row were called to the platform. Five more women stepped up, wearing only ragged dresses that I call 'killer dresses,' their hairs shaved, burns and bruises everywhere on their bodies. I set them up, tying the ropes onto their necks.

"Please," the girl said. It was Nicole Valdez, leader of the so-called Mamatid Strike.

As the executioner, I feel no emotion. I've gotten numb to the violence. I hung serial killers, terrorists, and even a senator. But never have I felt a heavy heart in an execution as this one – 100 women fighting for their rights in this devolved patriarchal society were now in front of me over charges of treason.

Is fighting for political representation treason? All they wanted was to get the appropriate representation for women, not only their heads of families.

Is initiating a hunger strike an incitement of rebellion? No government official was even deposed or even threatened – they only refused to receive food from the oppressive government.

Yet, as the executioner, I can't have opinions. I could only secretly wish success for people who are fighting and symbolizing my beliefs. Instead, I'm about to execute such a person – a 15-year-old girl with dreams.

Everyone's watching me carry out their death sentences. Everyone's watching me betray an oppressed demographic that I'm a part of.

"I'm sorry," I replied. "I have to do this."

"You're a woman, too," she commented.

I stopped in my tracks. Indeed, I'm a woman, too. I still adorned a long hair and breasts – attributes that I know I'm supposed to be proud of.

However, for the execution I couldn't say that I'm proud to be a woman.

I tied up my hair and hid it in a hoodie. I sported a dark mask so people don't know me, and I wore large clothing to conceal my breasts. Despite this, I still couldn't conceal my shame, of the fact that I'm about to execute heroes with my own hands.

"Why are you doing this. . . ?" Valdez teared up.

I wistfully uttered, "I wish there was another way."

I finished tying up the nooses and swiftly walked towards the lever. The local priest came to the front and began another set of rituals, blessing their doomed souls. Behind the platform, guards were already preparing the next five women to be put to death.

"Any last words?" I asked, my hands already grasped on the lever.

Valdez stared at me with her teared eyes – I recognize the look. It was the look of a young, aspiring leader, whose dreams were ruined and visions within a single flick. My flick.

She closed her eyes and faced the front. She's bravely facing her imminent death – such courage that I wish I have. If I was as brave as Valdez, I'd be stepping up beside her, also facing the crowd and dying for what I know is right. There'd be a different executioner holding this lever.

My hands were trembling. I took a deep breath.

I wish I was as courageous as the five I'm about to kill, who are facing their death rows with bravery and dignity as they did during their strike.

The 100 here aren't deserving to be charged with treason. It should be me, who is actually going to betray my countrywomen who are fighting for a better society for ourselves.

The crowd in front of me watched. They weren't chanting their usually songs of death and encouragement to serve justice. They were silent, and were about to watch me flick the lever – and in turn betray my country.

I'm sorry for ruining the chances for reform towards a better country and society. I'm sorry for ruining the dreams of people who just deserved better.

"May God have mercy on your souls."

SNAP!

* * * * *

This is just one of the short stories that I have written over the quarantine. I hope that you enjoy this short story! I'm trying to release some new content for my profile since I haven't logged in here a while.

I kind of missed publishing in this platform, so there you go :D

(I hope people still read this)

That's it from me, everyone!

_Glitch