Trial

There was whispering that annoyed her slowly awake. She sighed deeply, holding back a cough that was aggravated by the musty smell of her cell. Rats scurried back into their holes as her feet touched the damp earthy floor. She wanted to cry of her misfortune, but didn't want to give those that threw her in here the satisfaction of breaking her. There was a scraping sound near the door followed by a loud smack. Breakfast is served.

There was dry bread, moldy cheese, and a small cup of water as usual. Seeing the familiar breakfast and dinner made her stomach growl weakly. She picked off the molded bits of the cheese and dropped them at the rat holes. They were her only company these past few days...or was it weeks...time seemed to speed up and stand still all at the same time amongst these four walls. She sighed softly and bit her lip. Tears threatened to break from her eyes.

Gakupo was on her thoughts with every rising of the sun until her eyes could no longer stay open into the night. He hadn't come to her and she worried that maybe he believed the lies from the young witch hunter. While it wasn't a complete lie that she was what she was, she'd never use her powers for such a selfish gain. Her heart ached for Gakupo's nearness, her boy for his touch, his hungry eyes on every inch of her. She knelt on the ground, her back to the door, she clasped her hands in her lap and closed her eyes. Her lips moved in silent prayer to any god that would hear her pleas.

After some time, the lone tiny window in her cell began to fill with light from the sun and it slowly warmed her face. The door suddenly opened for the first time since she was thrown in here. It startled her and she scrambled to her feet, turning to face her guest. She almost laughed at how stupid her hopes had gotten when the only one there was Miku.

"Praying for forgiveness won't save you, Witch." Her eyes were cold and her words pierced Luka to her core. There was so much malice surrounding Miku that it made Luka tremble in fear. Miku came up to Luka and slapped iron shackles on her wrists and ankles. "Come." She yanked on the lead chain, making Luka stumble out of the cell.

As she stepped out, a piece of cloth was placed over her eyes and another shoved into her mouth.

"Make sure it's tight. Witches can cast spells with the slightest of breath and glance of their eyes."

With the lack of her sight, the sounds and smells around her made her head spin. As carriages and horses passed, water drenched her thin dress and she could feel a thin layer of mud building up on her feet. The shackles dug into her skin as she moved, cutting into her flesh. Her wrists and ankles felt as if they were on fire as the mud and water found its way into them.

At some point they had made it to some steps. Miku tugged impatiently on the lead, making Luka trip and crawl up the steps into the town hall. She smiled wickedly seeing the pink-haired witch struggle to keep up. Just before opening the doors, she smoothed her facial expression. She had to seem like she was doing her job as a hunter. Cool and professional, any sign of enjoyment of her captive's eventual sentence could easily break the trial.

The doors opened smoothly and whatever chatter there was died down the moment Miku stepped foot inside. It seemed like an eternity until she was at the pulpit of the local judge. "I, Miku Hatsune, daughter of Akihiro Hatsune, bring to trial the witch Luka Megurine." She bellowed to all in the room.

"The crimes of the accused?" The judge was a much older man. Some speculated he had been the judge of the town since the beginning. He squinted even with his spectacles on and smacked his lips as if he was thirsty.

"As according to her place of birth, witchcraft, plague, child death, livestock death, and drought. As according to our great town, witchcraft, enchantment of a certain member of status, livestock death, and poor harvest, Your Honor."

"How does the accused plea?" He adjusted his spectacles, removed them and wiped them on his robe a few times.

"As a witch hunter, Your Honor, I took the precaution to bound her eyes and mouth. Ergo, she cannot speak upon her behalf lest she enchant all of us here."

"If the accused cannot speak, then I assume you are to represent her answers? So I direct my former question to you, Miku Hatsune. How does the witch plea?"

"I plea her guilty, Your Honor." Inside she could feel herself do a little dance and pleasure at the word. This was the end for the witchy bitch.

"As you are the most knowledgeable of witches due to your family's dealings. What say you the best method in removing the witch?" He grabbed a handkerchief from his coat pocket and dabbed it on his forehead.

"Stake burning is the best method, Your Honor. As she burns, the enchantment will weaken on the one she enchanted." Calm down, Miku. This will be all over soon.

"Then I hereby sentence the witch to the stake. Make known every item you'll need for this and prepare for the burning forthwith." The javelin pounded on the pulpit.

With each 'thwack' Luka's heart shattered. Was Gakupo here, couldn't he have defended her? Tears welled up in her eyes again and this time she made no attempt to hold them. She collapsed on the floor, her sobs held back by the mouth gag and the cloth over her eyes became soaked with her tears.