One More Scar

~𝕵ō𝖟𝖚~

𝕺𝖓𝖑𝖞 𝖔𝖓𝖊 strand of the threefold cord around my neck remains intact, taut with my weight. It creaks as it slowly unwinds, and my view of the waves turns.

Behind my back, the rope around my wrists itches. I can't feel my hands. My last breath burns.

The crowd murmurs, restless for disaster. The blood dripping down my neck isn't enough for them. They can't feel its sting, hear its gush, or taste its metallic tang. Arrows wink in the slanted sunlight and whisper there is no escape. The crowd wants me to beg for those. They crave tears, screams, and blubbering words that fail to express how sorry I am, but they will never know my true regret.

A hanged man keeps his secrets.

My legs twitch, adjusting my position so I can steal a glance at Unmei. Sunrise paints a pink glaze over the glitter of his hair but can't touch the ice of his eyes. Do mine look the same, hard and sharp as a sword and glossed with pain?

Look at me, Friend. See the truth I cannot tell them.

The unraveling cord reflects in his glassy gaze. He's not here in the present. He sees another rope as the last thread snapped and a raven-haired girl plunged. Can he still feel the heft of the coarse hemp as it tore at our palms? The weightlessness as we both fell backward. The hopelessness as we scrambled to the edge and watched Kichi shrink in the distance.

I kick again to keep from turning away from him, and his sightline drops to me and the heavy irons jingling at my ankles.

Meet my gaze one last time, Unmei, I wish I could scream. Listen to the words I can't say.

His eyes lift to my face, but without understanding, only sadness and rage.

I should have told him as soon as she fell, the only moment we had alone, where I wouldn't be overheard.

Your sister asked me to give her to the ravine.

The lavender ice of her eyes shone with stubbornness as she thanked me for reporting the trap complete. "Now I will never be the property of that disgusting duke."

"Until you step on that bridge, you can still change your mind. 'Tis a frightful thing we've planned."

"I am courageous, J­­ōzu. Are you?"

Against my will, my back faces Unmei, and there is no one in this direction I wish to see, especially not our noble lord. I close my eyes and listen to the hum of the wind, the calls of the spectating birds, and most importantly, the groaning rope. It will break soon. I'll have an instant to draw a breath before water swallows me.

Our lord laughs. 'Tis a file against my teeth. His daughter is believed dead—her body turned to dust when she struck the ground—yet he laughs.

Don't think of him. He slaughters my patience, and my timing must be perfect.

On the inside of my eyelids, Kichi steps onto the narrow suspension bridge. As the supports fray and the planks drop, she hovers for an instant, whirling to give me a grin. Her knuckles drain of color as she strangles the loose rope.

I didn't expect Unmei to dive for it or refuse to let go as the weight of the bridge dragged him to the edge. I grabbed it, too.

The sun caresses my face, and I reopen my eyes. Unmei stands within my sight again.

He swallows as our gazes meet. "Say something in your defense. Please! 'Tis not too late."

He has said that at least twenty times since yesterday when they made him testify against me.