Eric's eyes blazed with desperation as he struggled to break free from the officers' grasp. He screamed Ashley's name at the top of his lungs, his voice hoarse from the raw emotion. "ASHLEY! COME BACK!" he bellowed, his words echoing through the streets.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins, fueling his frantic bid to escape. He lunged at Officer Jordan, sending him crashing to the ground. Then, with a swift shoulder charge, he sent Kamsi stumbling backward, momentarily releasing his grip.
Seizing the opportunity, Eric sprinted after Ashley, his feet pounding the pavement. Ashley, her hands clamped over her mouth, ran with reckless abandon, her eyes fixed on some distant point.
Eric's cries grew more urgent, his words tumbling out in a frantic bid to reach her. "ASHLEY, DON'T RUN! PLEASE, DON'T RUN AWAY FROM ME!" he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion.
But Ashley didn't look back, her feet carrying her further and further away from the man she once knew.
Ashley's legs finally gave out, her body crashing to the ground as she tripped on a crack in the pavement. She gritted her teeth, the physical pain a mere echo of the turmoil brewing inside her.
Eric caught up to her, his breathing heavy as he reached out a hand to help her up. "Ashley..." he whispered, his voice laced with concern.
Ashley's gaze locked onto Eric's outstretched hand, her own hand reaching out to grasp it. But just as their fingers were about to touch, she saw the two officers charging towards Eric, their faces twisted in a mixture of anger and determination.
A look of horror crossed Ashley's face as the officers pounced on Eric, pinning him to the ground. Their fists rained down on him, merciless and unrelenting. Eric's eyes met Ashley's, a look of confusion and pain etched on his face.
"Why?" Eric's voice was barely audible, his eyes pleading for answers as he slipped into unconsciousness. Ashley's face contorted in a mixture of anguish and guilt, her eyes welling up with tears as she whispered a single word: "Sorry..."
Eric's eyes slowly fluttered open, his gaze taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the King's courtyard. He was met with the sight of two red ropes binding his wrists, holding his arms outstretched to the sides. The cool stone beneath his knees was a harsh reminder of his current predicament.
As he lifted his gaze, Eric's eyes met the King's, who sat upon his throne, flanked by the Queen and their infant child. The monarch's expression was stern, his eyes piercing as he gazed down at Eric.
Behind Eric, a sea of faces formed a semi-circle, their eyes fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and condemnation. Representatives from various districts of Amazon City stood alongside a select few, their faces a blur as Eric's gaze swept over them.
Eric's attention returned to the ropes binding his wrists, a sense of resignation washing over him. He had not forgotten the events leading up to his current situation, and the ropes served as a harsh reminder of the gravity of his alleged crimes.
The King's voice boomed through the courtyard, his words dripping with gravity. "Eric Cope, you stand before me today accused of a heinous crime. The information received from an anonymous source led three officers to your residence, where a search was conducted. It was there that the unalived bodies of your two children, Kyle and Tanya, were discovered. The officers who conducted the search reported that you denied any involvement in their murder."
The King's gaze bore into Eric's very soul. "Furthermore, the officers reported that you became agitated and attempted to flee when you saw a woman, later identified as your wife Ashley, in the vicinity. You were subsequently subdued and brought before me."
The King's expression remained unyielding. "I must ask, Eric Cope, do you have anything to add or say in your defense?"
Eric's voice was barely above a whisper. "There's nothing to say, Your Majesty. You've already heard everything from the officers. I won't bother repeating myself, as I doubt you would believe me anyway."
The King's expression turned enigmatic, his voice taking on a wise, measured tone. "A wise decision, Eric Cope, not to push a box in winter that did not move in the summer. Your silence speaks volumes."
The King's gaze narrowed, his eyes boring into Eric's very soul. "I assume you understand the implication of the red rope binding your wrists. It is a symbol of guilt, a harbinger of judgment. Few who wear the red rope are ever found innocent. The odds are stacked against you, Eric Cope."
The King's voice took on a hint of melancholy, his words dripping with a sense of regret. "I had hoped, truly hoped, that your case would be the exception to the rule. That perhaps, just perhaps, you would be that one in a million chance. But alas, the evidence speaks for itself."
Tears streamed down Eric's face, his eyes welling up with emotion. The King's expression, too, was tinged with sadness, his eyes filled with a deep sense of disappointment.
King Emmanuel's thoughts drifted back to his days at Amazon Academy, where Eric had been his senior and mentor. He had often sought Eric's guidance, and Eric's wisdom had helped him navigate the challenges of school. Eric's influence had played a significant role in King Emmanuel's academic success, and he had always looked up to Eric as a role model.
Now, as King, he was faced with the unbearable task of meting out punishment to his former idol, the man who had once inspired him to greatness. The weight of his responsibilities as King clashed with the memories of his past, filling him with a sense of regret and sorrow.
The crowd behind Eric began to murmur, their doubts and uncertainties growing as they witnessed the King's evident distress. They were all aware of the close relationship between the King and Eric, and this knowledge only added to the sense of unease that filled the air.
The King's regret, however, quickly turned to irritation as he slammed his fist on the armrest of his throne. "Enough!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "Eric Cope, you have been accused of a heinous crime, and I hereby proclaim you guilty! Your sentence is exile, effective immediately. You and your descendants will never be allowed to set foot in this city again."
Eric's mind reeled as he struggled to comprehend the events that had unfolded. What had he done wrong? He had left his children at home the day before, embarking on a hunt for an exotic reindeer he had promised his wife. Ashley should have been home that day, too... but she hadn't returned until the next day, when Eric was being arrested. And then she had run away from him. Why?
The King's voice interrupted Eric's thoughts, asking if he had a final request before his exile. Eric looked up at the King, his expression serious. "I want to speak to my wife once more before I'm exiled," he said, his voice firm.
The King sighed, his expression a mixture of resignation and sadness. "As you wish," he said finally.
Two soldiers escorted Eric to his house, the red rope binding his wrists a stark reminder of his fate. One of the soldiers knocked on the door, and Ashley answered, her expression a mask of emotionlessness.
"Can I help you, officers?" she asked, her voice devoid of warmth.
The soldier explained the situation, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "Your husband, Eric Cope, has been found guilty of murdering your children. He is to be exiled to the Battlegrounds Territory."
Eric stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Ashley's. But before he could speak, Ashley's expression remained frozen, her voice laced with venom,"I don't want to hear it."
Eric's words died on his lips as Ashley's gaze pierced through him. "If you had something to say, you should have said it before you killed our children."