From Darkness To Light

Chapter 1 - Outcast

Some people hate me. Others fear me. Few strive to understand me. Most of them just listened to the twisted rumours floating around the town. I never really understood the power of words until now. I had grown up in this town, became the person I am today and all I remember was twisted kindness from these people. They treated me well, took me in from the cold and the wolves that roamed the forests yet I never truly fitted in. Wary looks were always sent my way merely because of my appearance and my behaviour. I had learnt quickly that silence was a valid option and it was easier to remain in the shadows than to bring attention to myself.

Whenever anything went wrong in the town, I was to blame even if I had no knowledge of it at all! Shoved into dark cell after cell, with little freedom and all things I held dear thrown into the bonfire in the centre of the village as an 'example' to all. They knew what I was capable of from the beginning. Yet they let me suffer alone and unwanted. So in a way they brought this upon themselves.

I couldn't move. My hands and legs were chained to the floor, a stiff metal collar attached around my neck and metal gloves restricting any usage of my hands. The cell itself was cramped, with about 3 metres of movement for those who were not deemed 'dangerous' by the guards. A small bed was attached to the wall by metal bars and the only light source visible was the small rays shining in through the narrow bars.

Food? Water? Hah. Those kind of things are only given to prisoners they are going to keep around for any longer than a day. I was chained up last night, warned against escape attempts and told to prepare for my 'trial' which would be 'fair' and 'honest', that would occur at the rise of the sun. They knew what I was capable of and we all knew the law. There was only one way this scenario would end. 

The slamming open of a door disrupted me from my thoughts, my attempts to struggle to my feet almost impossible as my chains just pulled me straight back down. I growled at the guards who watched me suffer, part of me wishing to wrap my hands around their throats for how they had treated me in these long twelve hours of my imprisonment.

I was covered in bruises and dried blood, the cuts and open wounds not visible under my simple shirt unless you pulled up the sleeves - so they could claim I fought them instead of them facing the charges for cruel inhumane torture. I spat at them, my face ferocious with rage and agony tied together as they approached my trapped form. A blinding pain seared across my face as a hard slap snapped my head back and I was yanked to my feet, lead across the cold prison floor like a dog on a leash.

I was dragged out into the sunlight, being directed towards the centre of the town where a fake courtroom had been set up just for my trial. I could see all my childhood companions stood in the juries section and the leaders of our small town discussing something next to the judge’s podium. I had no defence, no way to explain myself and my actions and make them understand that it wasn't me who did it, I couldn't help it but I knew there was no going back on my actions. Jeering and curses were thrown at me from every angle, a constant cry and uproar of the one phrase that chipped away at what little self-confidence I had.

'MURDERER!'

I swallowed, my mouth dry and my hands beginning to shake as I approached the stand, my head down and the piercing stares of the residents boring into my skull like knives stabbing into a helpless animal. My chains were removed from around my wrists and my hands were free at last, allowing myself to stretch and move around the small space the guards had shoved me into. Their spears were levelled at my chest and their glances kept shifting down to my hands, awaiting some sort of stupid escape attempt from me.

'Caitlin Shadownius Mystic. You are charged with the murder of 78 people, 39 of which were children. You destroyed over half the village including the shrine of the Enlightened One which is a court martial offence. However despite these horrific crimes, you committed a worse one. As you know, magic itself is forbidden throughout the realm with the punishment being incineration for all those caught practicing it. Dark mages are the most loathed out of all the wicked ones who are cursed with magic and you, were caught using such magic against our people. Do you have anything to say for yourself?'