I now present it to you, and I'd love to get feedback, mainly on the success or lack thereof of the twist I used, but I'd love to hear anything you have to say.
The judge brought down his gavel, quieting the boisterous crowd.“We are here today,” he said in a crisp voice, “to announce the punishment of this man, for his multiple accounts of murder.”Harold’s stomach squirmed, and he couldn’t keep his fingers still. Please not death, please not death… or if death at least something… traditional.“A jury of our community’s most respected members has met twice and come to a final decision.” The judge nodded at a group of well-dressed people seated next to his dais.Not death. Not death. Not the vampire.Harold risked a glance at the dirty, wild haired man chained up on the other side of the room. He glared and snarled at Harold.If they chose death, of course they would use the vampire. The vampire was new. And the “respected” community members wanted to make an example.And of course that example had to be him. He swallowed hard and ran his tongue along the back side of his teeth.A woman handed the judge and envelope.Sweat trickled down Harold’s spine, and he put a hand on his throat.The judge opened the envelope. “The jury has decided death by vampire.”Harold’s stomach clenched, and he tried to swallow down a wave of nausea. A hand pushed him forward, into the center of the room. Two men led the snarling man to stand in front of him.“The vampire for this execution is Harold Latchebrisk.” A light round of applause circled the room. Bile rose in Harold’s throat. In a matter of minutes, he’d taste nothing but the dirty, metallic flavor of blood, and, in the eyes of everyone there, he’d be nothing more than a weapon. He followed the guards and the murderer to the execution room.
I think there's more I could do with this, but until I have time to pursue this particular plot bunny, it shall stay as is. Thanks for reading!
