Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit - Part 1

Darkness lies all around. In a few moments, the checkered door will open again to the trial room. Anxiety built up inside my body like a monster was trying to eat me from the inside. They think I'm the killer. Who wouldn't? They walked in on me, attempting to kill an already injured Jasper... All he needs to do to win is sway two votes his way, and he's a free man. Three is the majority, after all. So even if Angel takes my side... If he can convince Leo and Claire, I'm a dead man... Why did things have to turn out like this? How could Jasper be so insane to make me shoot him like that? Why did we have to start another trial?... I just wanted it all to end...

"But are you willing to accept that?" A voice appeared in my head, hidden in the darkness around me. I looked around, but nobody was in sight.

"It's like Claire said, I deserve to die...." I clenched my tattered tie.

"Is it that you deserve it? Or that you want to run away from your actions?" It continued to linger in my head.

"Who are you? I thought I told him to go away," I scoffed.

"Killing yourself is nothing more than a way to run from your responsibilities. Take this trial head-on and prove him wrong. You might've made mistakes, but so have the rest of them. That's why you're all in this mess to begin with."

"It's not as simple as that! What I've done is more than just a mistake!" I yelled out.

"The fact that you believe what you've done is wrong is something to take pride in. You've already been punished for your actions. Just look at your mental state and well-being. You're moments away from breaking." It continued.

"I haven't been punished enough... These innocent people didn't have to die for the sake of my revenge against my father!"

"That might be true. But dying isn't the only way to redeem yourself. You're a man of the law. Turn yourself in once you get out of here if you feel guilty. But first, you need to face the obstacle head-on. Prove to them that you're not the culprit, even if you must reveal some unsavory truths. Okay?" It spoke in a calm and rational voice. Like a weight lifted off my shoulders, I felt relieved, even if it was just for a moment. I nodded to myself as the checkered door swung open to reveal the grand chess board. However, there was no music playing this time, just a cold, hard silence as the beams of light from the top tinted slightly red. With a breath of cold air, I stepped on the cold, rigid marble board. From the other side, Jasper limped. The demon looked disheveled and frail, with a stare of determination. The deep black emanated from his pupils as he sat on his square. To his right was Claire, anxious and pale. Her red dress scrapped across the marble floor as she moved with exhaustion. To my far left was Leo. He looked calm, collected, and a little less run-down than the rest of us. But still tired and mangled. And finally, to my right was Angel, terrified, afraid. She didn't want to look at me head-on, turning her head away in disbelief.

"I will prove to you that I am not the culprit, Angel. Please, believe in me." I sighed as I stepped onto my tile.

"You better..." She mumbled just loud enough for me to hear as the platforms rose into the air once more. The large Chess pieces surrounding the board had fallen to where only the black and white king and queens were left, with a lone black knight on the back rank. The trial has begun.

"To restate the rules of the trial-" Jessy began his usual speech, but it was cut off abruptly by a chuckle.

"Hank is the culprit," Jasper started without hesitation. A pang of anxiety rushed down my spine as his glare pierced my soul.

"I guess you don't need me. Just ask if you have any questions," Jessy sighed as the radio turned off.

"Wait, before we accuse, could we at least give out perspectives on the matter?" I tried to remain calm.