Mad Jester

Seventh.. Execution

Sadly, now my memory serves me little. For when I woke up I was back in the hospital, in a bed, and tucked under its soft white covers. This time my mother sat close beside me. When she noticed I was awake she leaped from her chair and embraced me into a hug she never once had given me before.

"Oh Aiden my baby!" she cried. I felt that familiar bile of fear and hatred swell in my chest. So I shoved her off.

"Get away from me!!" I screamed. Her touch meant nothing to me nor could it ever compare to the touch of my older brother.

She gazed at me with hurt teary eyes.

"B-but Aiden.. Mommy loves you." She muttered, trying not to cry. In that moment I felt nothing but rage.

"LIAR!! Never once did you ever love me before!" I could feel some tears glide down my cheeks as I glared coldly at her pitiful state.

Then I noticed my mask sitting on the nightstand beside the bed and grabbed it. As I put it on, I noticed the Tv on. It's volume was low, so I turned it up to hear.

".. -ay at high noon, The Mad Jester will be publicly executed as requested by the people. So be sure your children do not attend this event." I turned off the Tv.

As I said before, my memory serves me little. All I remember was running. Running out of the hospital to where they were holding the execution. My bare feet hurt, and my eyes stung with tears, but I didn't care. I couldn't lose the one person who truly loved me.

When I drew near I heard Jackson laughing insanely as the people of the village screamed for the executioner to just kill him. Jackson struggled against the cuffs and shackles that bound him down to the guillotine as they closed the wooden latch around his neck.

"Damn you!" Brother screamed out, making the crowd fall silent. "Damn you all to hell!!" His eyes were wild and shaking. "This won't change a thing! I'll be back! I'll always come back!!" He cackled again, thrashing his head once again to try and free himself. The people started shouting in anger at his words, blinded.

I stared in horror as the executioner grabbed the rope holding the blade.

"NO!" I shouted, running to the stage as fast as I could. It happened so quickly I don't even remember what had happened. The village folk started cheering loudly, it was intoxicating to my ears. Only one voice echoed out louder than the rest.

"AIDEN!!"

Thump... But the deed had already been done..

I was right beside him when the executioner had dropped it. I could've done something if only I was fast enough. His watery eyes were lifeless once again, but not because of his madness. I fell to my knees and stared at the mess big brother became. The scene kept replaying in my head over and over again as I felt everyone's eyes on me. Like a broken record struck in one place. I remember feeling the hot and heavy tears glide down my face, but no one could see because of the mask Big brother gave me.

That day, I truly felt alone and empty, and it was my own fault.

...