I couldn’t watch

The dreadful clock

Click…

Click…

Click…

My life has a time limit, and I’m afraid I’ve little left.

I’m stuck in iron clasps and a jail of hopelessness.

I didn’t meet the demands, and now I must pay the price with my life.

The moans and cries of the imprisoned match the ones screaming in my mind.

Who will remember me once I am gone?

I lived in a shack and went on with my duties of a farmer.

My parents have long left me and I have no siblings.

I never had the chance to fall in love.

And in this cruel, cold kingdom, no one ties friendships.

I am alone…utterly alone.

Alone I will die.

Unknown I will leave.

“Come on farmer! The Queen wants you.”

The guard picks me up, forcing me to my awaiting death.

At the clank of my chained feet, my time ticks.

Clank…

Clank…

Clank…

The Queen sits on her throne with a cruel, murderous smile.

Her blood-red nails click on her iron throne.

Her silvery voice chills my bones,

“Farmer, as a member of my kingdom you were to pay the tithe. But you failed. You were warned, and you refused to pay. Now, here, you will pay your debt with your worthless life.”

Worthless.

Worth…less.

That’s all I was.

All I am.

I see the sword beside her throne.

My time is thin.

I force my lips to plea, if only she may be merciful to a worthless farmer.

My voice is quiet as I speak,

“A Queen is supposed to be merciful.”

She sits tall on her throne, poised and regal. She smiles as poisoned words leave her merciless lips,

“But in this world, being Queen means blood,” she grabs her sword and steps down before me, “and yours must be spilled.”

With a finally clink, my time has ceased.