THIRST IN HELL

CHAPTER 10

The first time I entered into this territory, I was unconscious and there was definitely no need to tie my hands, but bad is never good until worse happens. This time, things were different.

We reached the territory at late night. I walked in, dragging the heavy chains that were fastened on my hands and ankles.

I was led and cast into a dark dungeon, then restrained in an uncomfortable position and tethered by the chain to the wall.  It was like I was some kind of a maniac dragon.

Even the very thought of escaping was now out of question. I had to endure the darkness and cold.  The night appeared endless and several flashbacks attacked my mind, rendering it restless.

                                *******
Dear reader,
This Is Your Column.
I am ready to insert your written flashback here.
YOUR FLASHBACK SHOULD  MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITETIA.
- should not conflict with the story's plot.
-Should be short, at most 200 words.
-Should be interesting.
-Should be targeted to curb a particular evil that irritates you in our modern human society, mostly an evil for which you have a personal painful experience of its aftermath. 
You may post it in messages here or in my Facebook profile (my fb username is kanyoro james, the profile that have this book's name somewhere in the news feed. )
Thanks.

                            *******

I was awakened by a sudden loud sound as the dungeon's lid got opened. It was early morning. A wooden ladder was lowered and an officer climbed down. He unlocked the chain from the wall and forced me up the ladder. Step by step, I dragged myself up.

At the very top, officers were waiting for me. Not surprising. One of the officer grabbed my chains violently and pulled me forward as he led the way. Two other officers walked  close behind me.

I was taken into a spaced cabin. The verdict house. This, I noted, was now my third time to face the law and in all of them, I had been wrongly accused.

There were many beings inside the cabin waiting. Among them, I saw the king himself, the muscled high ranking officer and Miss Wanton.

The verdict was given by the King's daughter. In fact, I had overheard that to be anywhere near leadership here, you had to be related to the king or be a very close friend to the royal family.

The daughter spread her scrolls on the table, though I never saw her read from them and then started talking.

"To my king and the other beings present here, I take this honour to proudly do my obligation for the well will of this land.

In accordance to the laws that control the behavior of slaves, I have found Mr. Sojourner guilty of inciting the other slaves. He also lied to his Highness the king, for which I  regretfully apologize.

Other than that, he attempted a disloyal escape and refused to get shot when the king ordered for it, humiliating him.

All these are gravely sins, punishable by the law. It is clear that Mr. Sojourner's conduct does not fit in this society."

At those words, I could hear some faint clapping from the audience.

"Therefore, he leaves us with no other choice but to have him face the guillotine, in front of the public. Today." 

The king suddenly turned to face her daughter, admiring her in a very impressed way. She smiled back at him.

But one question kept disturbing my mind.  Now, considering how the competent lawyers make many of their clients to win cases, what really makes an accused being guilty?

Is it their lack of defensive tactics, or the evil intent of the acts done or is it the law as it has been stipulated?

There was a loud uproar that filled the whole cabin, as the audience cheered happily. I noted that all of them were rejoicing.

All except two.

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It was around midday by the time  executioners were fully set to do their job of honour. The guillotine's blades were sharpened dangerously shiny.

All along, I had been kept restrained in a small guarded cabin awaiting for my end. I felt like a fattened ram, a day before Christmas.

Four officers came with spears to take me. I refused to walk, but the officers wouldn't have me spoil their broth. They dragged me along the way.. I had to pay my debt. My hope went on diminishing.

Would I be happy or sad to leave this evil land?

On reaching to the execution ground , I found most of the native dwellers and some of the slaves had already gathered to witness my fate. I also noted that Mrs. Wanton was now among the absent, possibly out of guilt.

The king gave his speech.

" Male and female beings, as we make our bed, so we must also lie on it. finally, all reap what we have sowed. Today, we are assembled here to witness Mr. Sojourner clearing the debt of his doings. Mr. Sojourner, what is your last wish, if any?"

" My wish is that every being will always remember what I ever told them." I replied addressing the present slaves.

In turn, the king knocked my stomach hard with his boot. Air was forced out of my lungs instantly and I exhaled from the impact, twisting in pain.

Two officers then tied my hands behind my back and bound my legs together. Then, they fastened the legs to the hands at my back, making me totally immobile. I was laid down with my neck across the lower blade of the guillotine. Its heavy upper blade highly raised, waiting to be dropped to separate my head any second.

The executioners then closed their eyes. One of them put his hand on the guillotine's handle, ready. They started a slow final countdown from ten. In an awkward harmonious chorus, like croaking frogs in a stream at night.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven...."