The Rift

Chapter Twenty-Two: Penance

ANOTHER long chapter I'm on fire
Another one
Another one..

As the sun sets, turning the forest canopy a neon orange, the stranger sits at the small dining table in the cabin, looking over a map.

They have since changed into a loose gray hoodie and tan slacks, the only decent clothing they could find in the hunters' drawers. The combat suit hangs out to dry from being washed on a wire in the tiny bathroom.
The stranger chews on the granola bar they had stolen from that woman from just the other day.

They're about 40 miles from Haven, and have decided to stay in the cabin until the food runs out, then move on. The stranger has been just about everywhere down south, and it would be best to lay low for the time being. The stranger looks outside and sees that it's not quite time to sleep yet.
Maybe those hunters have some books they think to themselves.

The stranger goes into the small bedroom and looks through the closet, rummaging through old clothes and dust.
The stranger then feels a hard surface, then pulls out the object: a copy of A Tale of Two Cities.

They take the book into the front took by the door, sitting down in a cushiony recliner.

The stranger opens the book and reads the first line.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

------------

After Lauren had called a "recess", I had gone over to talk to Evan, DJ, and Anna. "Where's Bella?", I ask them.

"She's with Thomas watching a movie at her apartment. He doesn't need to see or hear any of this", Anna tells me, folding her arms across the front of her black jacket.

"Can't argue with that", I reply.

"David", Evan starts, scratching his short brown hair, "Sorry about...giving you shit earlier. I was just mad about everything."

"Don't worry about it, Evan. But whatever happens right now, you'll have my back right?"

"Always", Evan replies, giving a slight smile.

"Will David Suarez please step out?", Lauren asks loudly. I guess the break is over. I step away from my friends and into the open circle in the center of the room. I glance over at Grace, who immediately avoids my gaze by turning her head in the opposite direction.

"With the evidence and statements given, we will now take a vote", Lauren announces, "Anyone who believes that David is not guilty?"

At least twenty hands are raised.

Twenty hands out of over sixty people.

"Anyone who believes that he is guilty?"

Over forty hands go up. I shut my eyes tightly and lower my head.

I hear Emma lightly gasp, along with someone in the crowd who loudly whispers, "He's so guilty. Look at his fucking face."

"Disgusting young man."

"He needs to pay."

"He's a killer."

I hear Lauren sigh, then she announces, "Very well. Due to the...nature of David's crimes...he is to be hanged tomorrow at noon just outside the walls.