We had broken the law and were now were sentenced to our grim fate. Condemned to the strict laws of our Government, the country was trapped inside some chess game. All lower and middle class citizens deemed expendable in this fight against each other. Only the king the one who must survive. People sought justice. People sought fairness and people sought safety. Then there were the upper class citizens. If they had the ability to, or were able to afford, the Governments influence they became more valuable and therefore much safer. Each day everyone were forced to go to the town square were we watched the daily execution of several ‘traitors’.

Now it was my turn to die in front of the crowds and crowds of people. It was mandatory viewing hence the great mass of people standing in front of the stage. This was so unfair. Blaire and I neared the stage and we shared one last look at each other affirming my worst nightmares. We were both going to die and there was nothing we could do. We were two helpless children twelve years old who had knotted themselves too deep into the old conspiracies travelling across the town.

What i thought of the political parties that control our country; they are so weak and fragile that two broken girls that spread a rumour about a revolution at school are sentenced to death. BANG! I hear the crash of the floorboard and know that someone just lost their life at the gallows. The small line of people shuffled closer to the stage. We were concealed from everyone as we had gotten into a last-minute formation underneath a decrepit grandstand people had foraged through for supplies. Now the rusty remains provided very little shade but great camouflage from others.

Another bang of the board falling down and the last words they screamed; ‘Ma,M-‘

(In dedication to Sejanus Plinth from the Hunger Games, his last words being exactly that).

I dreaded the time I would have to walk onto the stage, where I would stand as the officers tied the noose around my neck and lift me onto the swinging board were suddenly I would drop and I would die. I wondered for a while what would my last words be? Tell my family I loved them? Ask for world piece? Just scream for my own mercy?

The pain in my chest grew and I tightened the restricting hold I had around myself. It was as if I have a hole on the inside of my stomach and the only thing keeping me together were my hands. A person beside me sensed my discomfort and gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. I turned around and realised it was one of my school teachers.

I let out a cry of sadness and wrapped my arms around her fragile body. I cried into her hair, and just stood there unmoving for what seemed like hours but at the same time not long enough. She muttered something inaudible but my twisted sobs were drowning out any last remnants of her reassurances. I had kept it together with Blaire but seeing my primary school teacher had opened the floodgates.

The stale musty air was filled with the metallic smell of blood and I glanced forward and saw the pools of blood on the floor. Bile built up my throat but I remembered that at least my death would be quick right? We shuffled forward again and I let out another twisted sound like a wounded animal crying for help. This time Blaire comforted me. But it didn’t help, my inevitable death loomed closer and denying would prove nothing but my weakness.

In a blur of colour and screams I stood on the board and tears stung my eyes. I turned to my one and last friend tears also glistening on her cheeks. I reached for her but an officer kicked me in the stomach and I doubled over in pain. This time when they tied the rope around my neck I showed no signs of restraint my tears falling freely, but my arms staying in place. I stayed silent but Blaire showed no signs of strength crying and thrashing.

More cries. More screams. More blood. So much more blood.

And then the floor dropped and I had no time to say a word.