Dread Expectation

By Brittany M Harrell

Nemamiah’s trembling hands surrendered in terror to the chains that held him to his deathbed. Heart racing, he felt as though his lungs could barely contend.

He looked past his purpled arm to Lunaera, standing among the masses waiting to witness his execution. Eyes were fixed, focused, as if love’s presence might somehow lessen his imminent agony.

Behind him, the sickening sound of leather uncoiling in earth was enough to send his heart plummeting. A whistle cracked through the air, accompanied by a searing flame that had every nerve in his body writhing. Rebellion would prove to be a bloody garment.