The Monster That Stole My Reflection

Chapter 11: Unbecoming

Jim's POV

"Lower the prisoner," Queen Usurna ordered. Metal chains clanged together as the cage I was in lowered. I held onto the cage to gain my balance at the sudden movement. Once the cage lowered I was tossed out of it. I grunted as I regained my balance.

"Are you still refusing to admit your friends had any hand in this?" Vendel asked as he stepped forward.

"It's my fault. I'm responsible. Everything they did was for me," I testified truthfully.

"Then this is beyond even my authority. I am sorry," Vendel apologised grimly.

"James Lake Jr, you stand accused of unleashing Gunmar on the world and failing to protect troll kind," Usruna replied.

"If you let me out, I can fight." I exclaimed trying to reason with her.

"You will face trial in front of the Tribunal for your crime. If found guilty, as you say you are..." She paused.

"The consequence could be... death," Vendel hesitantly finished.

"But an offer of mercy is on the table. If you surrender the Amulet to be destroyed, you will be exiled." Usruna offered.

"And your life spared," Vendel added.

"I don't understand. Then there won't be a Trollhunter," I replied.

"For too long, we trolls have relied on Merlin's antiquated magics to shelter us. As for the evil we face tomorrow, that is up for our own race to decide, not some human child." She responded with a poke of her staff at my chest. Ursuna made her exit from the area. Only if she knew. But then again, I don't know what I am. Am I a troll? Am I a human? I don't know.

"I'm aware this is a terrible choice, young one, but it is solely yours to make." Vendel advised as I held the amulet in my hand in front of me, gazing at it's warm blue glow.

"The trial begins at dawn. You have until then to decide," Usruna added before she departed. I was then thrown back into the cage prison. Being held suspended in the air once again.

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What had felt like hours had passed. I couldn't sleep. My thoughts were too loud and upset to let me sleep. I could hear the guard and some gnomes snoring as it was pretty late by now. I hope my Mum is doing ok. She's most likely at work so she wouldn't even know that I wasn't home. I stood up and held the amulet out for me to see it glow again. But it's glow had been extinguished, only being a mere trinket.

"Is this what you wanted?

"To hurt everyone?

"To ruin my life?

"Why did you choose me, huh?" I questioned the amulet, as if it would answer my questions. Unsurprisingly it didn't. This amulet has caused so much danger in my life in only a short span.

"I wish I never picked you up in the first place," I sobbed as tears streamed down my cheeks. Anger began to bubble in my chest, in a fit of frustration I threw the amulet away onto the ground.

"You made a mistake," I sank against the cold metal, knees up to my chest. I wiped the tears from my face to try to have some sort of control of myself. Why had I been acting so weird today? Even though I don't remember doing anything? If I wasn't the Trollhunter this wouldn't've happened. If I was just a normal guy. A nobody. Everything would be fine. I would be on a normal date with Claire and have a normal life. But no, I can't have anything in my life to be normal. I don't even know what I am anymore. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a small blue misty orb appear in front of me. I held my hands out in defence in case it might attack me.