The Child Executioner

Execution

All too soon, just as the beautiful red orb poked over the horizon the first people started coming out of their houses. Soon the streets were bustling with activity. Almost everyone was headed to the castle for the execution. Me and Rob were forced along with the crowd. All I could think was No no no no no no! I can't witness another death! I tried to push my way to one side or another but people just kept shoving me along. I was shoved all the way to the castle, through the gates, and into the courtyard where executions were held. Rob held my hand as we were forced to sit in the top row of seating. The whole, sick arena was chanting

"DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH!!"

over and over again. All too quickly a man with a bag over his head was led from the dungeon door to the block by two masked men. The King walked out from another door and his entrance was met with cheers. My father walked in behind him, he was masked but I knew it was him. The King was fatter than I remembered him. I looked around the windows of the castle. I saw the Queen in a window on the opposite side of the arena. She was fatter too. Her red hair was done into little ringlets that hung over her shoulders but her scowl ruined her otherwise pretty appearance. Also the lust for death in her eyes didn't help any. The king started talking then.

"Mr. Jeremy Marcus is convicted of thievery, unlawful removal of items not belonging to oneself, and taking goods without paying. We are all witness to his execution today..."

Didn't the King just repeat the same offense in different wording? Good grief, the idiot!

"And now the moment we've all been waiting for, The execution!"

I watched as my father lifted the axe up over his head, and then turned my head into Rob's shoulder. He put his hands over my ears but I still heard the dull thud of the axe hitting the stone. The people around us cheered but it was all I could do not to cry into Rob's shoulder

As the crowd started to get up and leave Rob forced me to get up and guided me along the row. As we went down the stairs he kept one hand firmly over my eyes and the other on my shoulder to guide me along. As soon as we got out of the arena Rob uncovered my eyes and started to lead me back to my house

"I thought we were going to the library?" I said, confused

"Your in no mood to enjoy books. Lets just go spend time together"

"Okay" I agreed, letting him lead me back to my house. Why was he so good at knowing exactly how I felt?"