My mind raced a million miles an hour, thinking of all the possibilities. Anything could happen. I could be executed, sentenced to life in the jail, or even exiled. My mind was full of worry, and I could barely think straight. Even with Alexanders reassurance, I couldn't shake the fear that was overwhelming me.

Alexander and I walked to the big house on the hill: my parents' house. My head was down, and Alexanders hand was pressed to my back, gently pushing me forward. He was mumbling incoherent words, and his eyes were darting all around.

"Alexander, calm down." His gaze shot towards me, and he frowned a little. "I'll be fine."

He shook his head and stopped pushing me forward. "Look, James. I'm worried that whatever they do to you, is going to harm you. I'm worried about you."

I smiled and chuckled, "How sweet." Alexanders faces flushed red, and he looked away from me. My smile fell, and I continued. "But you don't need to worry, whatever punishment I get, I deserve it."

He shook his head again. "James, you don't deserve anything. It's not-"

I cut him off, "I almost killed my family--the people that raised me. I deserve this."

"But-"

"I deserve this." Whatever argument Alexander had ready next, wasn't enough, because he stopped, placed a hand on my back and continued to push me forward.

We walked in silence for the rest of the walk until we reached the house. When we arrived at the house, everyone was there waiting for us. Alexanders fathers, Dante, and his wife--whose name I couldn't remember--the guard that brought me in the other day, the kids that used to torture me. My father stood at the head of the group, his arms crossed in a menacing manner. He stepped forward when he saw me, dropping both his real arm and his fake one to the side. I couldn't tell what made up his fake one yet, his sleeve was covering it, and a glove covered the hand. His other hand, however, was visible, and he wore a ring. His wedding ring. Alexander removed his hand from my back and stepped away from me, standing next to his parents. I glanced at him, and he flashed me a reassuring smile. I gave him a small smile back and followed me father, who motioned for me to go inside.

He opened the door for me, letting me in before him. He followed after, slamming the door shut and stopping anyone else from getting in. 

Inside waiting was everyone else. My mother, who was sitting in a wheelchair. My sister, who was standing there, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Next to her stood Zane, his expression was impassive. They were the only people in the room, I assumed Zane would be the one to decide what would happen to me.

My father led me over to the table and motioned for me to sit down, so I did.

Zane was the one to break the tense silence. "All right. We're going to start now." Everyone nodded their heads, including me. "James Lycan, you are being charged with: attempted murder, assault, and," he paused for a moment, and the tension in the room grew. I knew exactly what he was going to say. "Murder." 

"Since the village of Phoenix Drop does not have any laws prohibiting possession of weapons, you will not be charged for that." I breathed a sigh of relief, and slumped down in my chair, waiting for the rest of what Zane had to say. "With all the charges, the verdict that we have reached is... one year of imprisonment and then, after that one year is completed... execution." Everyone's eyes widened, taking in news, and trying to process it. Lilith decided to look at me, her eyes boring in.

My mother's head turned to him, her eyes full of anger. "You said that wasn't going to happen. He was only supposed to be imprisoned for 5 years and then exiled. That's what we agreed upon."

Zane sighed and moved over to her resting a hand on her shoulder. "I talked it over with some other people and they agreed that execution would be the best option so he can't harm anyone else. Aphmau, I'm sorry. I know he's your son and you love him... but, it's the best option."

My father took a place next to My mom and grabbed her hand. "Honey, I know it's tough, and we're going to have a hard time, but I think... Zane is right. It's the best option for everyone."

"But you can't do this-"

I zoned her out... the voices in my head returning and battling again as I started back at Lilith.

Kill her, take her sword and slit her throat. Don't let them kill you.

Escape while you can, don't hurt them, but take your chance and leave.

Kill her.

No.

Kill her.

I shot out of my seat and lunged at Lilith, knocking her against the wall. I ripped her sword out of its sheath and tossed her in front of me, holding the sword to her throat. She struggled against me, but I tightened my grip, forcing her to stop.

I tried my best to stop myself, but it didn't work, and the darkest part of me won. My insanity got the best of me. Everyone's attention turned to us, and the tension returned to the room. I wanted to stop, but I couldn't.

"Let me go... or-or I'll kill her," I growled.

My father unsheathed his sword and held it out towards us. "James let her go. You turned yourself in, don't make us hurt you now."

"Let me go."

"James..."

I tried to fight the urge to press the blade harder against her neck, but I did it anyways. "Let me go and she won't get hurt."

Zane was the one who took charge now. "That can't happen. Let her go and you won't get hurt."

"Bull," I laughed. "You're going to kill me anyways."

"Look we can't-"

Someone barged through the door, cutting him off. My attention turned towards it. Alexander. "You can't kill him! He doesn't-" His eyes widened, realizing what I was doing. "James...
Not now. You were doing so well."

A few seconds later, Garroth, followed by Laurance barged in, both red in the face with anger. "Alexander get out of here now."

"No, I can help him... Aaron lower your sword. You're only making things worse." My father followed his instructions and lowered his sword. Alexander took a step towards me. "James, remember what I told you. Look at me, block out the voices, try and make your own decisions."

I tried. I tried to loosen my grip and focus on Alex but I couldn't. I gasped, trying to breathe. All of a sudden, it became hard, and I couldn't. But, it was gone in a second and I could breathe. "I'm trying Alexander... but it won't work. I'm sorry." Tears formed at the edge of my eyes and I tightened the grip on my sword.

"C'mon James, you can do it. Just focus on me."

I looked at him. Sandy blond hair, shaggy and unkempt. Green eyes, so full of life, so full of love. He was perfect, everything I couldn't ever be. With my attention turned to him, and I blocked out the voices. Finally, I returned. I dropped Lilith's sword and released her from my grip. My father rushed over and grabbed her, pulling her away from me. Alexander rushed over to me and grabbed me before I could fall to the floor.

"I've got you... calm down.." I buried my head in his shoulder, tears falling from my eyes. "It's okay, James. I'm right here."

"I-I'm so sorry..." I choked out, clutching onto his shirt. I pulled away from him so I could see the rest of the onlookers. Alexander placed a hand on the back of my head, running his fingers through my hair. I felt safe in his arms, like I could really relax. I felt like something when I was with him.

Alexander looked over to them, his eyes blazing with fury, "I was informed that James is to be executed. I want an explanation."