Page 8 of Condemned

Even though she was frightened, make that terrified—this warranted that bigger word—she couldn’t quite imagine how this would be. How much pain would she feel? Quick was supposed to hurt less. Please make it quick. She wouldn’t beg. Must not beg.

When it happened, she would surely scream? She gulped down the bile welling to her throat. Fainting would be the best thing to do. Or dying before it got to that. Sadly, she eyed the chain that ran to her ankle. Strangling herself might’ve been possible last night. Not now. The story of her life. Always with the too-late planning and scheming.

She looked to the mauleons again.

What were they saying to each other?

Her stomach twisted. Her dark thoughts circled back around.

As if she’d summoned it, the captain raised a spear she hadn’t noticed due to the cell bars. He grounded it. The point looked sharp, as spear points do.

Soon she’d be only a body in a grave.

Way too soon.

Please, don’t let me beg.