The Child Executioner

Axe, Mask and a Dead Body.

Two days since father had died. Two days since life had gotten better, yet worse. Since he died we had been able to talk freely, and be anywhere we wanted to when we wanted to. However, it was only a matter of time before I had to execute someone, and that fact loomed over me like the execution axe itself.  None of this affected Aviva. She was as solemn and meditative as usual. Forrest was hit the hardest out of the three of them. Ivory didn't understand what had happened. I told her something about father being away for awhile. Ha. More like forever.  I don't know what I'll do when the execution comes up. It can't be too far away. It has to be within the next day or two. The King and Queen won't be able to control their blood lust for that long. Aviva looked up from her yarn

"Think of the Devil" she whispered as there was an impatient knock at the door.

I walked over to answer it, dread filling my lungs like lead. I pulled the chain off, lifted the bar and opened the door to find a Royal Messenger standing on the steps. I wanted to cry and could feel my eyes starting to well up. It's today. The messenger cleared his throat

"Where is your father, I must speak with him." He stated clearly, chin jutting out and nose in the air.

"He's out, I'm the oldest. You can give me the message. I already know what it is though, He has to do an execution. Dusk today or dawn tomorrow?" It felt weird, these words coming out of my mouth. I couldn't believe I was able to keep my face blank.

"Very well, and the execution is at dusk today. Make sure he gets the message or you'll be the next one on the block." The messenger said, briskly turning around and walking away.

I closed the door, put the chain and the bar back and then sunk to the ground, my face in my hands. Why do the worst possible things have to happen? Aviva spoke again before I had too long to think

"You have but an hour, some of which you will spend getting to the castle."

She was right, as much as I didn't want to, I dragged myself to my feet and walked to father's room. He had two spare robes laying in his top drawer. I pulled one out and walked back to the main room. Without looking up Aviva held up the mask. I was going to cry. I tried to swallow my tears but they came spilling over anyways. I took the mask from her and slid it onto my face, willing myself to ignore the stench of blood and sweat worked into the vile leather.

The robe my father wore as executioner slid easily over my smaller frame and the black fabric brushed the floor. When my father wore it it came just above his ankles. I looked to Aviva for help. She looked at the robe, and promptly stood up and walked upstairs. A few minutes later she returned, carrying father's boots I could have sworn we left on him, two steeply wedged pieces of wood and a handful of fabric.

"What are you doing?" I asked, not really expecting an answer. Usually she just shows you what she is doing instead of explaining. This time was no exception

I watched as she tore her fabric in half, rolled each into a ball and shoved it into the boots, followed by the wooden wedges.

"Done" she muttered, looking at her handiwork.

I looked at her skeptically.

"Try them out." she whispered

I stepped into the boots, they added about four inches to my height, I understood what she had done now, she basically turned the boots into high heels on the inside. The hem rested about where it was supposed to now. Aviva jumped up and pulled the hood over my head. All that's left is the axe.

I tottered slightly going to the door where I had leaned the axe. It was slightly heavier than I remembered but still manageable.

"Time to go Serenity"

I sighed, my apprehension was making my heart beat ridiculously fast and my stomach to do flip flops.

I slammed closed the door gently behind me and I heard Aviva slide the bar into place.
Okay, okay. Come on, move.

twenty minutes later I was standing at the center of the whole kingdom screaming

"Death Death Death!"

The person I was to kill was already bent over the stone. This is not happening. No.

The gruesome cheering continued

"Death Death Death!"

I can't, oh my god I can't.

The King, who was standing next to me, announced the person's crime. I didn't even hear. As soon as he was done it was my cue to... to... to execute the person on the block. Squeezing my eyes closed I picked the axe up over my head. What if I miss? Before I could stop myself I swung the axe down, cutting the head from the body. The crowd finished cheering and exited the castle almost in the blink of an eye. The king turned around and walked from the courtyard leaving me alone with the guards and the dead body. They picked up the body and the head and put them into a bag, but not before I saw the face. I knew him, he had been really nice to me in school when nobody else was. What had I done? I could barely breathe as I stepped off of the platform and walked away from the castle.