No Claim to the dead
473 Words
The courtyard had emptied gradually as the crowd dispersed in obedient silence. But the cold still remained, as thick as ever. It clung to the air and her lungs.
Elira did not remember standing, she only remembered that at some point her knees were no longer pressed tightly to the frozen ground. She looked up to see just no-one else but a few SENT guards.
No one spoke of what they had witnessed. As a matter of fact, no one ever did.
The bodies of the deceased however remained.
Two figures in white execution cloth lay at the foot of the elevated steps with visible drips of blood.
"White as though purity could be granted after gory condemnation", Elira sighed and rolled her eyes.
Members of the SENT stood guard beside them motionless as though they feared the lifeless bodies would gain strength enough to escape.
Elira forced her feet to move.
Each calculated step toward the platform felt like stepping back into the vision she had already seen a hundred times. The flick of the commander's wrist and the stillness thereafter. The way Mirelle's hands had once twitched......and then never again.
She paused at the base of the steps.
"State your purpose . One of the SENT guards said without looking at her.
Her throat tightened with fear.
For a moment she considered turning back and leaving Mirelle to the mercy of the state. But then again, this might just be her last respect paid to Mirelle.
"She deserves a decent burial at least". Elira said to herself amidst tears.
"She is my family", Elira said quietly. "I have come to claim her body".
A ripple of silence followed leaving her request unanswered. The guards expression didn't change.
"We can't give u her body, its beyond our power to do such". One of the members stated.
"This isn't right, she deserves this" Elira says fiercely.
"Bodies of the condenmed are not released without authorization". Another member says.
"And the orders in question are made by who?", Elira asks curiously.
"The commander". The first member says.
"The only way that we would release her body to you is if we get an order from the commander. Rituals demand the bodies be taken and fed to the vultures". The second member chimed.
" Nooo, this shouldn't be done". Elira says with a rush of anger.
"We've had enough discussions for one day young lady, go mourn your deceased". A member scores.
"What happens if the commander agrees to my request". Elira asks.
"If the commander agrees to this then your request would be granted but I must say for a fact that it's almost impossible for this to be so". The first member says.
"Never say never". Elira says with a ray of hope. "Then I'll go to the commander. And make him listen''.
- Writer
