Mercy's End

***

The man stood shackled in front of the council, his hands still stained with the reasons for being there. This was a final hearing, and all attending knew the inevitable outcome. The three-strike rule was harsh but necessary. It seemed it was always the loners who ended up here. Strangely quiet and scary with those empty eyes staring at something beyond you. I guess they flipped a switch when the world went dark, losing their loved ones and seeing their hopes for the future disappear into the night.

The judge was all about done with the list of transgressions. The air was thick with anticipation. "The court has therefore surrendered the final ruling to the council. May we hear your verdict, council leader?" he said looking up at the pews above the inner courtyard.

A middle-aged woman with dark frizzled hair stood up. Cheryll, I think her name was.

She looked down at an old, wrinkled piece of paper. "Because of your continued aggression and violence, and an unwillingness to adhere to the peace we demand within these walls. The council has no other choice but to expatriate you from this city.” She took a breath and folded the paper. “The sentence is final and will be carried out immediately."
They used nice words, but it was what it was, and it was worse than an execution. The gavel fell. Two guards approached him and led him out to the outer courtyard. The inner gate was shut behind him. Freed from the chains, he was handed a crude machete before the outer gate was opened.

All watched as the man took his first strides into the wilderness, where hope ends.

***

- M. Rougne