A Girl Called Lucy

Chapter Forty-Two

Ian was staring out in the small court room through a window. Lucy was tied to a chair located in the middle of the room. The room started to fill up with officers, judges and audience members as the execution time drew nearer. Ian lowered his head and then looked over his shoulder as Lucas, Brady, Cody and Crane were talking softly. Ian knew what he needed to do, but seeing Lucy tied up like that seemed to be teasing him. Lucas walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you ready?" he said and Ian half-smile at him.

"Lucas, if there was another way..."

"Ian, don't make this harder than it already is," Lucas said. He handed him a small box and Ian knew what was inside. "We'll be in the room waiting for you." They walked through the doors and out into the court room, Brady flashing him a reassuring smile over his shoulder as he left. Ian watched as they took their seats and he saw Lucy smiling at them. He saw a news team come in, setting up their equipment so Lucy's execution would be sent out to the public. Lucas had convinced the Cabinet it was necessary for people to see that she was done. Finally Ian saw the judge come forward and started reading off the crimes Lucy was accused of. Ian knew there was more to her charges, but they couldn't find any of the evidence yet. He hoisted the box under his arm and opened the door. He walked down the aisle and placed the box on a small side table. He opened it and stared at the large shot inside, the clear liquid inside the bottle. Ian picked it up and looked over at Lucy as the judge finished.

"The verdict is sudden death," the judge said. Ian walked up to Lucy and she stared at him in the face. Her arms were facing upward so he could pick and choose which arm he decided to plunge the needle into.

"Do it, Ian," she said with a smile. Her eyes were challenging him. Ian narrowed his eyes and placed the needle centimeters from her right arm. He held it there for a minute as the room went dead quiet. After a moment, he smiled to himself, shook his head and withdrew the needle. Soft gasps went up from the crowd and Ian was pleased to even see the look of shock cross Lucy's face.

"What you did to the soldier, I now do to you," Ian said directly. He turned to face the crowd. "Murder is the one crime that can change a human being into a monster. We've seen what it does; how it corrupts people. Taking a life that is not ours to take is just what Lucy wants. She gave us the answer." Ian looked directly at Lucas. "Now I know what she was done is unforgiveable. We can't bring back the people she slaughtered. What we can do, however, is prevent ourselves from becoming what she is. My verdict for Lucy is life behind bars, in a secluded area where she will never see another human being. Her life, however, she can keep." Ian walked back over and placed the needle back into its box. He looked at the judge, and then at Lucy. "I refuse to become a murderer." The room was dead silent. Ian's eyes didn't leave Lucy's. Suddenly she smiled at him and started chuckling.

"Ian, what are you thinking?" Lucas hissed as he walked around the railing, making his way towards Ian.

"Lucas, give it up," Lucy responded. Every head swiveled in her direction. "I'm actually astonished, Ian, you had that in you. It would've been easy to get your revenge by sticking me with that needle." Lucy nodded her head to him before smiling at him. "Congratulations, Ian. You have completed the game."

"What?" Lucas asked as his expression fell. Lucy smiled.

"Listen well, all of you," she said. "It's easy to become corrupted by hatred and fear. It's another story when you take a life. Taking a life completes that hatred and it eventually turns you into a monster. I was hoping to accomplish turning all of you into monsters, like me, who would take the lives of those who wronged you. However, it would seem Ian figured out the one way to avoid becoming such a crude beast."