Epilogue

The steaming Kitfo sat infront of me, its savory aroma engulfing my senses as it filled the room. I looked down at it.
The meat looked neither soggy nor dry; it seemed to have been cooked to the perfect texture. The butter lay glitsening in a thick layer over it just the way Grandma used to make it. I wonder if it tastes as divine as hers used to be.

My hands fidget around as my nerves stand on end. Despite my mouth watering and despite my rumbling stomach that's been painfully empty for days, I couldn't get myself to touch the food.
Maybe that's a good thing though. Papi always said the spices taste better when it's cooled off a bit.

The guard by the door shifts on his feet and clears his throat. A not-so-subtle sign urging me to start.
I take a glance at the clock stationed right at the center of the white-bricked room.

It's nearly time.

I take a deep breath and let it out in a huge sigh. I pick up the roll of Injera from the basket it was in and cut a peice out of the flat bread. I swiftly envelop the Kitfo with it, sending it straight to my mouth.
As my tongue connects with the ground meat, rolling it around in my mouth, I can't help but notice the oily blandness of my meal in spite of its exaggerated scent.

Nothing like Grandma's!

Oh how looks can be deceiving.

Big, fat drops of tears suddenly start rolling down my face as the food triggers an emotion that had eluded me for nearly three years. And I cry. I finally let it all out.

The Kitfo, despite being so utterly tasteless, invokes a series of memories into my mind.
Not of the unjust judgement I've been served in a shiny silver platter. Nor of my many other crimes I admit I committed. No, my thoughts drift to my long lost family.

My parents' image flashes before my eyes, smiling proudly as they hand me my birthday gift. I see Grandma's kind eyes filled with joy as she inspects how the dress she knit for me fit perfectly. I see my baby brother, giggling with me as his eyes shine with innocent mirth, his pudgy little hand resting lightly on my cheek.

When I return back to reality, the Kitfo is all gone save for one last bite. More tears blur my sight as they struggle to fall and I pick the last peice of ground meat up.

Here ends my long and treacherous journey: as I take the last bite of the last meal I'll ever have.

The guard moves from where he was standing still as a pole, making his way towards me.
I look up at the clock once again.

It's time.

I feel my heart drop into an endless pit, leaving me void and helpless. My brain gets fuzzy and I feel my head start to tingle. Maybe it senses what lays ahead. I try to stand up but my legs refuse to cooperate.

It doesn't matter though.

Either way, my electric throne of demise awaits where I shall finally pay.....pay for what I've done....what I've been told I've done...all of it.

I feel myself move towards my fate, eventhough I've made no attempt to walk.

I look to the side and I see my whole family looking back at me. A tiny voice in my head tells me that it's impossible. Get a grip Maya, they've been gone for years.

But...but they all look so happy, smiling from ear to ear.

I turn and look into my baby brother's eyes. His smile is the biggest. He nodds his tiny head at me, beckoning me to come over and I reach my shackled arms out to him.

You believe me right?

He nods.

See Maya...they know your truth!Someone believes you!

This reassurance puts a smile on my face as well. So I won't go as a monster after all...I will finally see them all again...real soon...

We shall reunite on the other side....