Darkness, nothing but absolute darkness. The kind of darkness only experienced in the deepest crevices of Earth or the mind of the depressed. Days have passed and here I lie drowning in my thoughts. Thoughts about my mother, and Luis; but mostly myself. You never realize how much life means until death is gnawing at your flesh, digging deeper with each passing moment; Threatening to expose the rotten soul that lies within. I often wonder how life would have been if I hadn't gotten my revenge on Luis. But all of that is in the past and that's exactly where it's going to stay, whether I want it to or not. I managed to eat a few bites of the molded bread, and mystery sludge on the tray they slid into my cell. All concepts of time have faded with what remains of my sanity. I find myself staring at the blank wall for what feels like hours. Small pictures scattered my room where I had carved into the wall with my nails. How long must I suffer? During the time that I "sleep" I am visited by a creature, it leeches on the fear I harbor of my impending doom. I cower before its massive size, it gets bigger every day and soon there shall be no room and I will be crushed beneath its enormity. Might it have been him attempting to smother the last breath from my lungs? I bet it was him, he's always lurking in the shadows waiting for the torpor to eliminate my consciousness. How may I rid myself of this impudent beast? Perhaps I'll set him aflame, or tear his tongue out with my ragged fingernails. No none of these will work, I wouldn't even have a chance, he would tear me to pieces in a second. I need to come up with something so wicked that Satan himself cowers before my wrath. I would like very much to bury myself inside of him and absorb his power but I must be quick-witted and ten steps ahead of him at all times. I was smart enough to plan the demise of my enemies but dumb enough to get caught. Not again! I will not be undermined this time. I slam my fist rapidly against the stone wall. I feel the sting of my skin splitting from the impact with the impenetrable wall. The warm red liquid brings me comfort and I suddenly feel at ease. And for a brief moment, I am lost in the peacefulness.
Without warning my cell door opens and a shadow approaches me. Wild with fear I flail my arms hoping to put off the stranger. I am roughly shoved against the wall and cuffed. Oh, it's just a guard. I sigh, grateful that it wasn't the creature coming to tear my life away. "Rickitt, if you so much as blink in a way I don't want you to, I'm going to bash your damn face in. Got it?" the guard hissed. Spit from his threat collected on my dry, cracking face caused me to shudder in disgust. "Now let's move!" the guard shoved me towards the door. The bright fluorescent lights pierced my skull and the already present headache intensified. I am forced to squint until my eyes adjust to this sudden change of environment. I notice that I am now surrounded by a flock of guards leading me down a narrow hallway. My brain is buzzing with possibilities and I unsuccessfully try to swat them away. This is it! You can escape, just take the guards down and hide until you can successfully get away. I wonder how amazing their blood would feel dripping down my flesh and oozing through my pores. If I do what they tell me maybe they'll end my suffering sooner rather than later. These thoughts ricocheting off my skull and through the vessels in my aching brain over and over again. Will I ever be free of this madness? I find myself at a door and I cannot remember the journey here due to my confusing and distracting inner disaster.
I'm not sure how far or long we walked, and if you took me back to my room and told me to find my way back to this door I would have no idea how. The guard that handcuffed me is holding me firmly in place and I watch as a guard whose name tag reads "Jared" leans forward to knock roughly on the plain gray metal door. The click of the lock put my body into hyper mode as I eagerly wait to see that is on the other side. The anticipation feels like electric and I am paralyzed where I stand. The door opens and a bright-faced woman appears. "Good morning Mr. Rickitt, my name is Elaine Dimmette, I'm the warden of this facility." her voice, smooth like silk eased the pain in my head. Her bright green eyes piercing into me like glass, revealing my every secret. The wave of her hair as it passed her breasts and curled around itself could make anyone feel weak in the knees. I've never seen someone so beautiful in all of my miserable days. "Hello, Mrs. Dimmette." I slowly replied. "Please, just Elaine; And It's Ms. Dimmette" she laughed. Her laugh was the most heavenly sound, it filled my ears and warmed my body. "Yes ma'am" I replied trying to cool the parts of my body awakened by the sudden heat. "Follow me" Elaine shifted into a professional speech, but it was still somehow comforting and inviting. Most of the guards dispersed, but three remained to keep control of me I assume. One of them being Jared and another being the one that cuffed and threatened me. I was unfamiliar with the third man in the room but he looked slightly suspicious. He was tall with a broad face and wide-set shoulders, you could tell he definitely worked out. A scar started on the top right section of his eyebrow and ended just above his eyelid. I squinted to see his name tag but he had already crossed the room to stand guard.
The room was large with beige walls, if there hadn't been an abundance of decorative artwork it would have looked quite bland. On either side, there were bookshelves with a variety of book shapes and colors. My focus was instantly drawn to the back of the room where a large mahogany desk stood, and in front of the desk, there were leather chairs that matched the chair paired with the desk. A window behind the desk provided a majority of the light in the room but there was a light on the ceiling and a stained glass desk lamp. "Take a seat Mr. Rickitt." she said while walking towards the chair behind the desk. I thought I saw her hips swaying a little more than necessary, but I was probably imagining it. " I took a seat in one of the two leather chairs in front of the desk and was surprised by how comfortable it was; Although after sleeping on what I've been sleeping on for god knows how long, a bed of nails would feel comfortable. "Why am I here?" I ask cautious of the guard that threatened me a little while ago. "We're here to talk about your case, and If you would like us to contact or provide your lawyer." Elaine replied smoothly. "I don't have a lawyer" I replied dully. "That's quite alright, the state will provide you with one, It says here," she said looking down at a large packet of paper and reading its contents. "that your court date will be November 21st." she informed me. "Fine" I replied grimly. Only a week away you big idiot. You're going to find out when you're going to die in one week. I felt as if I was going to burst, like the tears would dart out of my eyes and burn a path down my face, but nothing happened; There were no tears, my eyes didn't even water. "Look," Elaine said grabbing ahold of my shackled hand. "I know how hard this must be for you, deep down you hope that there's a chance you won't be executed but the logical part of you knows what is going to happen when you walk in that courtroom." she comforted me in a slightly insulting way, but I wasn't complaining. I nodded solemnly because she was right; I didn't want to die, and I hoped that the jury would have some sudden instance of guilt for me, but that wasn't how it would happen. I was going to die, and it was time for me to come to terms with that. "What are the methods of execution?" I asked trying to gain my bravery. "There are three methods, but a few of them are frowned upon so we typically refrain from these. The first and most common is Lethal Injection, then there's the Electric Chair, and lastly is the Firing Squad." she informed me. Taking all of this information in I thought about which one I would want. Most likely Lethal injection, Since the beginning of my prison time I have grown and come to the conclusion that I would not like to be hung in the town square for two reasons. One, I would not like everyone to have the satisfaction of watching me die and feel like heroes. Two, there is absolutely no way the state would allow such a thing, even for me "The Famous Alabama Serial Killer".
The days passed in a blur and I can only remember bits and pieces. After I returned to my cell from the warden's office I didn't do much thinking. I just sat there, empty; Like a cave that hadn't seen life in decades. Slowly seeping deeper and deeper into oblivion. Drip Drip Drip Drip. The toilet continued endlessly. I begin thinking about the beast again, how if I got my hands on him I'd tie him up and set him under the dripping toilet until he went mad like Chinese water torture. I realize now that I have not thought much about what happened that fateful day; Unfortunately, my door is slid open revealing bright lights and I am no longer alone in my head.
YOU ARE READING
Unforgiven
HorrorA young boy from Alabama who is harassed by his peers decides to take matters into his own hands. Follow his story as he falls further and further into his own insanity and torment after carrying out a devious plot.
