Providence

Innocent until proven guilty

Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence

--- UN General Assembly, 1948, Universal declaration of human rights (217 [III] A). Paris. Art. 11.1

The wagon slowly starts moving, and the frame shakes as the wheel roll over the uneven terrain. Erin looks up at Fortitude.

"What have you planned for us?"

Fortitude shrugs. "I don't know. Truth did all the planning. We were just ordered to bring you to the city square, in front of the citadel. You know, the place where we burned your Mother. I hope they don't burn you tho. That would be a waste."

Erin flinches as Fortitude runs his finger across her body. The blisters have only partially healed, and some of them get torn open. Shocks of pain travel trough her body, and she struggles against the restraints, but they don't give way. Fortitude licks his lips.

"A yes" he says. "I will have so much fun with you after you are dead."

Faith grabs him. "What the hell, Forty. I prefer to cook her afterwards. It has been so long since I had good quality human meat."

Fortitude pulls himself away from Faith's grasp. "You can cook her after. I this girl already escaped once from me, I will not have her escape again."

Faith retches. "No way I will cook her after you had fun with her. That is disgusting. And by the way, do you really want to fuck that corpse? She has blisters all over."

Fortitude laughs. "It is about the principle. And by the way, we don't know what blistered her. But I am sure it will ruin the meat!"

Faith stamps on the ground. "You are impossible. Can't you just, let me have something for once. Without thinking with your dick first?"

Fortitude rolls his eyes. "For you information, I wasn't planning to use my dick, cause it is still healing." He points at Erin. "She stabbed it. Like two weeks ago. And the damn thing won't heal."

Infinity scoffs. "If it isn't healed by now, it won't heal at all, Forty."

There bickering is interrupted as the wagon stops. The back doors opens, and Erin notices they have arrived at the city square. The citadel towers over them, but that is not what draws Erin's attention. In the centre of the square, a large pile of wood is gathered. It would have taken ages to print that much. Erin recognises what the pile is for all to well. A large brass pole sticks stands in the centre. Ready for a prisoner to be chained to it, before the pile is lit on fire. She remembers her Mother being burned all to well, and soon it would be her turn.

Other than that, the normally bustling square is completely empty. The angels probably ordered all the people to stay inside while they were setting up.

Faith unlocks Infinity, and drags her outside. To Erin's surprise, she doesn't struggle at all, she just complies.

Fortitude tries to follow her, but Faith stops him.

"Forty, you and Sadie have to stay. You have to guard the other prisoner. She is way more dangerous than she looks."

Fortitude scoffs, "I thought Truth was going to guard her."

"Yes, and he will be here soon." Faith replies. "But until that moment, you need to stay here."

Faith steps off the wagon, and suddenly, emits a loud scream. As her scream is cut short, and she falls on her back, grasping at her throat. A large serrated knife is sticking in the side of her neck. She grasps, trying to remove it.