"Aunt Gusto! Aunt Gusto!!.....I screamed out her name at the old yard in search of her.",
Emman was in trouble and he needed his family at the moment. Some shillings were found in his old wallet at the ranch and definitely that would result to hanging. Luckily I found his aunt at their old yard feeding her pigeons. I felt a bit relieved, approaching her immediately. I placed my handing on her shoulder from behind as she turned her gaze towards me, dropping down the bag of grains in her hand.
"Miranda's minor what brought you to the old yard? Is there any trouble? Have Emman caused trouble at the neighborhood again?".
I nodded my head at her question looking down in pain. Emman was my childhood friend and we have been through so much trouble since then. I had beared his burdens since childhood whenever he gets into trouble which was mostly stealing people's shilling of coins. That was the reason he always rated me at the top because none other would do that for him at the neighborhood. Today was different because he was caught by our masters and he would be killed if nothing was done fast. I had escaped from the scene to call out to the only person he listens to in his family.
"Aunt Gusto if you don't get to the ranch right now, I'm sorry to say that Emman might be killed. You've to act fast please. He only listens to you and I'm sure he needs you now."...I replied her stopping myself from feeling muchy.
She left behind, running to the Robinson's cattle ranch to save her nephew. I followed behind, hoping that today's grace falls on poor Emman. Emman was already given some strokes at his buttocks and bare back. He was bleeding too much and Aunt Gusto couldn't watch all of these. Sighting her, Emman left where he was being flogged, running towards her. Those hefty men ran after him having the thoughts that he was off to escape. Emman fell on her arms, as she pulled him to herself with so much warmth and care. She looked at her both palms noticing some blood stains and they were all from Emman's back. One of those men pulled out a Cain from his pocket belt ready to whip Emman again but this time, Aunt Gusto blocked Emman as the Cain landed on her back. She screamed aloud in pain while Emman felt angry watching all these.
"Get him get that thief, today is his last day of seeing mother earth. You ain't gonna survive today mark my words goddam bitch. Get him immediately." The head of the crew ordered the rest as the captured Emman again.
I ran towards Aunt Gusto, trying to console her from the Cain she received on Emman's behalf. She tried stopping those men but they pushed her to the ground. The cattle ranch was in a total mess and there was only one way to save my friend. They were going to behead Emman and they were taking him to the spot where he would be behead. He was blindfolded and was ready to get his head slashed. Unboxing the sword to be used for his beheading, I had to act very fast before they were done unboxing it.
"Stop! Stop!! I was the one that stole those coins. He did none of that, he is innocent of those accusations. Behead me instead because I'm the one at fault." I said to them as they stopped looking at me.
Emman was dropped immediately as they went after me. I was captured instead and mother was present at the scene. She stopped them, trying to convince them that I was lying and only trying to protect my friend. She cried out her eyes and she knew nobody would be able to save me now.
"Nobody is going to touch my child, she's innocent. She's only trying to save her friend and I understand all of that. Don't dare behead my little Julienne." Mum pleaded with them but they ignored her pleas.
I was given some strokes just like Emman, beaten up and soaked in blood. It was finally time to behead me. My head was placed on a platter of wood surrounded by people watching the foreplay of my death. Mother was held by some of the men because she tried running into the scene. Emman was with Aunt Gusto both in tears. Rachel was at a corner crying all by herself. I was ready to die even though I was being selfish but Emman was still needed by his entire family. Mother struggled for her freedom in the captives of those men but their grips were stronger than hers and she couldn't run for help. Mr Robinson and his family were informed about the mess going on at the ranch and his attention was needed. He arrived the ranch to witness the death of a commoner that stole from his ranch. To them, it was a thing of joy and merriment and a good feed to their eyes. They came along with some snacks, wines and fresh fruits from the vine. Damian the heir of The Robinsons was also present.
"Master, The Robinsons are here already. We would behead her at their presence. They will soon arrive at the scene." One of the men said at the background.
"Bravo! It is a good thing that they're here. Our salaries would be increased for this particular action. This girl is our lucky star, such a good asshole." He laughed out to himself greedily while admiring the sword in his hands.
They finally arrived at the scene as the workers of the ranch spaced out to welcome the owners of the cattle ranch they worked in. Mr Robinson ordered them to show my face before beheading me and they did. My lips were bleeding and it tasted like a sour wine at the tip of my tongue. My eyes met with that of Damian's and it was my first time seeing him. Atleast I met the most handsome creature before my death. His eyes had this gentle oozing nature and his lips were reddish which anyone would crave to have a taste. His long lashes like that of a beautiful angel and his soft black hair that rested on his shoulders. I was still staring at him not knowing when my head was forcefully placed back on the platter of wood. I was blindfolded and it was time to get beheaded. The Robinsons enjoyed the scene already popping champagnes.
"What are you waiting for Oscar? Get it done already!!! This particular act gladdens my soul whenever I see a proletariat being slaughtered like a buffon." Mr Patrick .R. ordered him laughing aloud.
The sword was raised high ready to be brought down to my neck. Mum shut her eyes unable to witness such wickedness. Damian saw all these uninteresting and wondered the reason his family were enjoying all of these. He left his parents, approaching towards where I was about being beheaded. I could only hear footsteps but of whom?. His parents were surprised seeing their son act funny infront of their workers.
"STOP IMMEDIATELY"....drop your sword Oscar." Damian ordered him as Oscar exchanged glances with Mr Patrick.
"Don't listen to him, Damian have you gone insane? Get your ass outta there immediately. Ain't you listening to your father?" Mr Robinson asked him but he ignored his father, dragging my head out of the platter of wood.
Damian pulled me to his back dragging the sword from Oscar's hand. He broke the sword in halves and got injured at the point of doing that. His palms were bleeding profusely and that got the attention of his mother. Mr Robinson got so mad at his son but tried maintaining his cool. Mother freed from those men holding her captive running towards me. She unfolded me, pulling me into her arms in tears. I wasn't understanding anything as I was already in confusion.
"Everyone should go home nobody is getting beheaded. There are punishments to give someone that got into stealing other than getting killed. Father I'm sorry but this is the end of this madness....as for you;" He turned to my direction, pointing a finger at me.
"I will give you your punishment for theft by tomorrow. As of now go home, my family aren't murdered and ma'am we apologize for trying to end your daughter's life today." Damian apologized to my mum on his family's behalf.
Mother wondered the difference between him and his family. She was very glad that Damian intervened and stopped my death from happening. She ordered me to follow the rest home while she take care of other things left unturned. I returned home with Rachel pondering on the said punishment he was planning on giving me. He wasn't any different from the rest because he looked like a stern soul.