How We Fought

Chapter 3

Soon after, Viktor left. He left the prison and went back to town. I stubbornly stayed for a whole week without food and water. One fateful afternoon the councilor came to visit my lovely home at the dungeons.

"The army is going South, to your village, for a hanging of twenty people, we are taking you with us. You will die in a few hours after you see twenty people die before your eyes. Get in the van!" I stared at the councilor in pure agony, my stomach aching for a meal, my eyes tearing up at the thought of seeing my neighbors hanged. This savage, egocentric man had no pity in his eyes, instead a longing to see people of his country die.

The guards grabbed me by the elbows and pulled on me. I had no hope left, there wasn't anything I could do about it. I willingly let them drag me across the ground, with no fight, no bruises.

Soon after the thirty-minute car ride, we arrived in my hometown, Chaluire. About fifty people had gathered around in the town square waiting eagerly for my advent. On a land that was high above the ground, a wooden pole with a branch stood. A beige rope tied in a circle, a petite man standing straight waiting for the execution to begin.

One by one I saw my neighbor's heads chopped off, neck badly bruised, their motionless bodies on the street. Then it was my turn.

"Come on girl, get on the platform!" The guard shouted impatiently. His boots tapping a steady rhythm. I slowly stood up and walked to the hanging pole. My feet shaking, my red lips quivering. My life flashed before my eyes. I could not die now, not like this, not knowing that my country was still in the firm grip of an avaricious man.

I turned and faced my people. My hands still bound to the chains, the scarlet blood dripping out from the tightness. "Citizens of Chaluire! I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry that you dimwits cannot see the plain old truth!" I paused; the councilor stared at me like a bomb waiting to go off. His face turned white; I swear his wig was about to pop right off his bald head.

"Mr. Lawrence, how long has it been since you saw your wife again? Didn't the councilor say she was coming back yesterday for 2 years? Ms. Pyne, how long has it been since you received your paycheck? You do work for the government, right?" I questioned, my voice stopped quivering, instead it was sharp and rigid. I wasn't the same girl I was a week ago, I was a girl who wasn't scared to talk against the government in public!

The Grand Councilor came on stage; he pulled me away and forcefully pushed me to the ground.

"This girl is telling lies! Do not believe her!" He screamed. I was still on the ground ready to speak again.

"We hear countless lies that our country is safe, that our councilor is working his butt off for you! Is he really? All he cares about is his selfish needs. Millions have died, half of them slaughtered by him! Use your senses people, he is manipulating us for power!" I yelled, my loudest and proudest voice yet.

Guards climbed on the platform cornering me. They tackled me down, I persisted, I kicked, and I screamed. I had to finish my speech.

"THE GOVERNMENT IS NOTHING WITHOUT ITS PEOPLE! Join me in the fight against this regime we face. Help me make this country beautiful once again, help me make life worth living! For our children!" I croaked out, the same guard who arrested me weeks ago held my neck, squishing it.

My vision became blurry and the world shook, memories of my family flashed in my brain. I could not breathe and my head, spinning. I sharp and excruciating pain hit my gut. I remember seeing blood, lots of it. Then everything became black.