Shadow of the Key | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 45: Despair

"Now the tide is rolling in. I don't wanna win. Let it take me, let it take me."

- Labrinth & Zendaya

Sebastian's POV

Crying. Screaming. Pleading.

That was all Sebastian heard once he set foot on that desolate island.

The agony laced within resided deep in his chest. It was all he could feel now.

As he walked with the Auror and the cloaked man past the cells and into a small room, bounded by the rope around his arms and torso, his only thoughts consisted of Amelia.

How he tried to save her and couldn't. How he failed her. And now, she was alone inside a maze that was likely tearing her mind apart, bit by fucking bit.

He felt absolutely sick at the thought, and he never hated himself more than he did now for abandoning her.

He could only hope she heard his reassuring words to go on without him. To Occlude the voices that were sure to penetrate her already fragile mind. That he loved her.

Merlin, did he fucking love her.

He didn't mistake the absolute fear and inner turmoil that marred her face, and knowing that'd be the last time he'd see her silenced the symphony in his soul.

This was a fate worse than death. Deep down, he knew his past would come back to bite him in the ass, but he didn't think its teeth would be so sharp.

There was nothing he could do but hope that she successfully navigates the maze and finds the locket. To avoid Harlow and the sick bastards that threaten to snuff out her flame. To return to Hogwarts and live a normal life.

Sebastian didn't deserve to live, but Amelia certainly did.

An Auror sat at a small table in front of Sebastian, a single candelabra hung over him. His forearms rested on the table, tapping his quill while he glanced down at some paperwork. His peppered hair hung low enough to where Sebastian couldn't see his eyes. The man didn't even acknowledge him or the intimidating Auror and cloaked man standing next to him.

He was just another pig being sent to the slaughter.

"Name," the Auror demanded.

"Sebastian Sallow," he spoke quietly, chin pulled to his chest.

"Do you understand why you're here?" The man quizzed.

Sebastian's jaw ticked. These prats wouldn't offer him representation anyways. "I killed Solomon Sallow."

"A former Auror and your uncle," the man clarified, finally looking up at him through his long, dark eyelashes. "Are you aware of the punishment you're about to face?"

Accepting his fate, he slowly nodded as a single tear fell. "I- I believe so."

The Auror kept his deadpanned expression as he read off the paperwork, "Use of the Killing Curse on another human being is a violation of Wizarding law. You are hereby sentenced to life in Azkaban without parole. The rest of your days will be spent here."

This wasn't surprising to Sebastian, but it didn't stop his breath from stilling at the stark words leaving the Auror's mouth.

He should've received a fair trial, but it was apparent both the Ministry and Azkaban were corrupt.

The Auror snapped and pointed to Sebastian, and once the ropes disappeared around his body, he was forcefully dragged in the corner and stripped of his clothes.