The Omega

1 pt.10

I've never had a mother, or a father, or family of any kind for that matter. It's always been me. Just the way I like it. No one to worry for or about, no chances of betrayal, no strings attached.

But as I stand alone outside the doors to the council room, I feel for the first time the aching emptiness that is being completely and utterly alone.

There is no one here to comfort me, no one standing at my side ready to face the council, no one at all.

I am completely alone.

The guards stationed just behind me press the muzzles of their guns to my back in unison, urging me forward. I cannot stop here.

There are only a few seconds between opening the door and walking up onto the pedestal. Those few seconds however, feel like an eternity.

The council room is set up with a small cage-like pedestal in the middle with the council members seated in a semicircle around it. Long windows let in light while most of the room and its furniture is a dark stained wood.

Men and women alike sit in twelve chairs surrounding the silver crafted cage in the center. The bracelet, hidden under the silver strips, still administers medication as I make my way inside the cage.

There is no other word for it.

Cage.

They are treating me as if I were an animal.

Lifting my gaze from the ground, I look each of the council members in the eye. They are of all ages, some with graying hair and sagging skin while others have the glowing complexion of youth. I eyes travel down the line until it comes to the last one.

It's empty.

The twelfth and final chair is empty.

My gaze flits about the room in search of the final council member, but they are simply not here. The council is not permitted to sentence a prisoner unless every member is present. Will they still kill me despite their rules?

I didn't matter, I was going to die one way or another regardless of the council.

The lock on the door clicks into place behind me and I feel as though I've just heard my own death sentence. This is it for me, this is the first and last time I will stand before my superiors. This will be my only chance to leave a lasting impression, to leave a mark.

I am numb as the council opens the trial by stating their names, positions, and what pack they have traveled from.

Most are Alphas, but a few are Generals or warriors sent to represent Alphas that were unable to attend.

I don't answer as they begin to ask me a series of questions. Their voices rise and rise but I cannot bring myself to listen to their words. What are they saying? Something about murder?

I don't even know I've opened my mouth until a story begins to weave itself in the world around me. Flowing fingers of golden thread painting a picture in front of my eyes.

I have no idea if the others can see it too, all I know is that they've frozen in their chairs as if time has stopped.

I've never told this story before, the words have never crossed my lips.

It's my own story.

I see a small child who is afraid. Always afraid. So afraid.

She's afraid of the world. Afraid of the people. Afraid to make her own choices.

She is oh so afraid.

She has been perfect get entire life, dutiful, obedient, a perfect slave.