There is no

recourse

for those

too-soon

interred.

Fists of

sediment

adding

insult

to each

twice

trapped

soul.

Lions'

shares

of agony

at the

throat

and

belly

err...

dying

into

a day's

yawning,

towards

the crowd

within...

Silently

roaring...

for Wisdom

for Justice,

for Courage!

for some

Moderation

on be-half,

of the work

of the body.

But as is

Inferred...

We are free...

Free from knowing.

Wisdom, Justice, Courage, and Moderation Challenge @fudo

I am not alone. It may feel like hell itself, but I am not alone. That one thought keeps me sane as the roars of animals, both lion and human, pound against my eardrums. How long have I known this day was coming? And yet, somehow, I never imagined it would ever arrive.

Now, here I am, surrounded by creatures who will settle for nothing less than my life. I shudder at the very sight of the lions’ bared teeth, knowing they will shortly be ripping my flesh apart, but I don’t blame them. They know nothing but their hunger, and it is no fault of their own that my companions and I are the only food within reach.

No, it is the people cheering for my gruesome death who earn my condemnation. To them, I am nothing but entertainment. They will never see me as a person, worthy of living my life until its natural end. I am a plaything for them to watch and mock.

I will die today. There is no denying that. And yet, after a life that was barely worth living, I find I don’t want it to end.

As the door to our cage opens, I stagger backward, my resolve faltering. A hand catches me, steadying me, and a voice whispers in my ear, “We are free.”

I close my eyes and let the words wash over me. Free. The word has never defined me. Until today. No longer will they control every aspect of my life. No longer will I be forced to work myself to death just to keep from starving. No longer will I sweat and bleed for the sake of others. Today, I die. Today, I am free.