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Chapter 12
Tension slid throughthe group as they stood just out of sight of the death wall. There were a dozen bodies already strung on the wall, their arms tied behind their backs and their heads resting against their chests.
“There he is,” whispered Tobias.
Jude nodded. Heath stood in line with six other individuals, Malachi included. They were bound by the hands and feet. In front of them, two soldiers prepared rope nooses.
“They’re filming this.” Annie’s voice sounded strained. “They’ve got cameras over there.” She pointed in front of the death wall.
“Of course they have,” muttered Lincoln. “They need to show the world they’ve got one up on us. What better way to do that than show they’ve gotten our leader? Everybody knows Heath. They flash his picture around all the time.”
“They won’t succeed.” Annie’s words broke off in a sob.
“We’ll get him back.” Lincoln gave Annie’s shoulder a quick squeeze, his gaze never leaving the death wall.
“We will,” said Annie. “No one takes my man and gets away with it.”
Jude’s gaze was locked to Heath and Malachi. “There’s still no sign of Octavia.”
“You said you were separated,” said Lincoln. “Maybe they took her somewhere else?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” said Zane. “I bet they’re interested in how she’s been listening in to their comms. Maybe they want that information before they do anything else.”
“Like kill her,” said Jude.
“Sorry, buddy,” said Zane. “They want to do that to all of us. Octavia will not be the exception.”
“We’ll get her back as well.” Lincoln gestured for the group to move closer.
Annie stifled a sob as the soldiers grabbed the first person in the line and placed a noose around his neck. He struggled for a few seconds before seeming to give up the fight and slump forward.
A soldier stood in front of the prisoner. “In the name of the State, this traitor has been tried and found guilty of disloyalty. His punishment will be death. Everybody hear this declaration and know the same will happen to them if they disobey their rulers.”
“We can’t let them kill anyone.” Annie raised her pulse laser.
“Wait!” ordered Lincoln. “They put nooses on everybody first, tell the viewers what their crimes are, and hang them all at the same time. I’ve seen it before. They must think it’s more dramatic.”
“It shows what sick bastards they are,” muttered Tobias.
“Malachi’s next,” said Jude.
They watched in silence as Malachi jerked in the soldier’s grip. The soldier wrapped a noose round Malachi’s neck and tightened it.
“This dragon hybrid has rejected the loyalty and generosity of the State. He has rejected all attempts to be indoctrinated into our way of life. He is a disgrace to his kind. He is an aberration. Any dragon hybrid found must be reported to the State. Let this be a timely reminder that anyone sheltering a dragon hybrid will be considered a criminal. You will also be put to death if discovered.”
Malachi continued to fight until a soldier slammed a fist into his guts and shoved him against the wall.
“Now it’s Heath.” Annie took a step forward.
Jude caught hold of her arm. “We’ll get him.”
“Sorry. I just...” She gestured to the wall, a helpless look on her face.
“I know. I get it. We won’t let anything happen to him,” said Jude.
“When they’re putting the noose around the last prisoner’s neck,” said Lincoln, “we attack. I’ll aim for the two nooses on the right. Everyone else pick a noose and fire. Don’t stop firing until the rope around their neck is broken.”
They all lined up, focusing in on a noose each.
