The Lost Scholar

CHAPTER: 11

THE MOON

Gabriel’s body was frozen still in the middle of the forest. He could hear a voice call to him, he could hear many of them, but he continued to walk and ignored them. He didn’t understand why he needed to walk but he was sure he needed to be there.

It was a deathly quiet venture, but he knows someone was outside in the night. He felt someone behind him, never missing a beat. Every time he looked back he could see someone, no matter where his eyes shifted. He reached the plaza and found his way to the gallows but his mother wasn’t in the cages. His heart sunk as he saw Amelia stand near the gallows where she met her fate.

“What are you doing here? Gabriel asked with disdain.

“I have been trying to warn you, Gabriel. You must be weary of my sister’s wrath.” Gabriel was confused at the fact. “Your sister? Why?”

“She had been trying to kill you, your father and your mother for some time now and she is succeeding.” Amelia looked over at the church behind them when Gabriel noticed the shouting inside. His heart sank deeper when the doors burst open and the clergy dragged his weak mother across the snow. He body was covered in wounds and her dress was nothing but rags. “Hang the witch!” The magistrate shouted and the crowd cheered.

“No-no!” Gabriel ran them but he just went through them. He was paralyzed in place looking at his translucent hands with rainbow hues. “W-what…?” Gabriel turned back as he saw his mother being prepared to hang. “Mother!” He shouted in vain as he climbed up the stairs to help his mother down but he just went through her. “Please, not my mother! She is innocent!”

“Grizelda Amesthyn, for ninety-seven counts of murder I sentence you to death, May the Lord have mercy on your repugnant soul,” the magistrate said. “Any last words?” he asked.

Her eyes shifted down at Gabriel and he stared back. “M-mother…!” She smiled and shed a few tears never looking away. “Johan, I failed as a mother and as a spouse, forgive me… Gabriel, I love you, with all my heart and soul. My sweet prince, if you can hear me… I am sorry.”

“No Mommy! It’s my fault! I left you alone! I should have stayed home! I should have been a man for you!”

“I love you so much… Good bye…” she broke down into tears and began to pray softly with a shaky tone.

“I-... I love you too…!” Gabriel sobbed hitting the ground on his knees trying to hold his mother but it was no use. “Please! Not her! She is the only family I have left! Please! I don’t want her to die! Mommy!”

The floor collapsed below her and down she went. She made a wet hissing sound as the rope tightened around her neck. In seconds the scene froze in place. “Mother!” Once he realized time stopped his heart eased a little bit. “You have been stuck like this for a while, I came to help you escape,” Amelia explained.

“Escape to where?! My mother needs me!”

“Gabriel, this is all a trick! My sister is trying to decieve you! Your mother is still okay but if you don’t hurry up your mother will die too. Sooner if my sister quickens her fate. You must wake up Gabriel!” Amelia urged the Amesthyn. “You must find her at the fortress! Please, Gabriel You are our only hope since your father left! Wake up!”