Death Row

Post date: Nov 20, 2014 10:6:5 PM

A short story by Sierra Schneggenburger

“Criminal number 324567B3, you are sentenced to life in prison at the request of the parents of your victim and at the request of your intended therapist. You are no longer a citizen and you are no longer Halen Dentmen.” The judge’s voice was clear and echoed through the cold room as a single man stood in the center of it all. His eyes stared down at the floor as the words of a life lost passed through his mind. He was going to be locked away. It was not a question anymore. It was not something he could think or worry about, for here he was on the exact stand he had prayed to God not to be on. He should have known that God does not take prayers from people like him.

He shook as he stood on the platform, looking away from the other people that filtered in the room as he felt hands grab him from behind. He let the rough sweaty palms guide him away from the judge and towards the back of the room to where the exit was. He didn’t resist, and he did not speak as reporters asked him questions and the crowd hollered accusations at him. He did not listen to those cried either. Shock moved through him like never before as the booming voice of the judge vibrated through his psyche over and over again. All he could hear were those words running through his mind, and the thought that he would never see the night skies as he once did before. He felt blank, numb and torn. He deserved this though; there was no question about it. He deserved this more than anyone. He deserved it. So he did not complain, argue or fight as they escorted him to the prison bus. And he did not even look towards the other guards. He stared down at the floor with an indifferent expression on his face as they moved him to his last and final home: prison.

Student Written features work written by LHS students. The views portrayed in these written works are not the views of The Leopard's Roar, as it is an unbiased news publication source.

Student Written is edited by Debra Fabian, Student Activities Editor. Fabian can be reached at dramagirl319@hotmail.com.