Does It Have To Be This Way?

Four

Caius POV

Year 2022

I sat in the throne room looking in the distance completely zoning out not paying attention. I think about that night often. It overcomes me and all I can do is think of the night she died, the night we met... the life we could've had.

"Caius? What is your judgement?"

I looked over at him for a moment coming back to reality. I looked over at Aro. Shit. The trial. I hadnt payed attention to any of it.

"Your judgement?" Aro asked again.

I looked over at the young child. She was around Janes age. Tears fell from her eyes. I saw the fear in her eyes as Demetri and Felix held her still.

"Please I... I.." the young girl said trying to pull.

"Sit still," Felix said.

"Caius?" Aro said become impatient.

"Give me a minute," I snapped at him. I attempted to recall her crimes. But I couldnt remember.

I looked at the girl once again she looked at me complete fear there. "Please," she whispered.

Im the decision breaker. Life or death. I took a breath and stood. "Let her stand," I said.

Felix and Demetri pulled her up.

"Come to me," I said.

"No I dont want to die please. I didnt know... it wasnt my fault. I dont even want to be a vampire. I was..." she cried out as she was pushed infront of me. She fell to her knees.

I observed her carefully. "Please," she whispered.

Our eyes met. I went back to the day Athenadora and I met. I saw the fear in her eyes.

I remembered the crime. She was hurt by a bad man. Who changed her against we will and left to be free. No one to train her.

"Have you made a decision Caius?"

"Yes,"

"Please," she cried out.

"Enough crying we dont want to hear it," Aro snapped at her.

"She did not know of our laws, she was a result of a reckless man, one who hurt her. The one who should be up for death is the man to turned her. I vote that she should remain alive." I said.

Aro looked at me. Somewhat shock.

I looked down though. "She should be punished for her actions, but not death,"

"And what would you suggest?"

I looked at the girl once. "How many people did you kill?" I asked not knowing the exact answer.

"Ten... I-I killed ten people," she whispered. "I dont want to hurt anyone. I couldnt control the thirst," she whispered.

"I understand child," I said to her. "10 minutes for each person she killed,"

The girl looked at me confused.

"Jane, take her to an isolation room,"

"Would you like me to start now?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"No," I said instantly.

"A-are you going to kill me," she looked at me.

"No," I said once again.

She tried to stand breaking free from Felix and Demetris grip. Demetri quickly ran after her. But her actions surprised me.

"Let her," I waved my hand gesturing to stop.