The command was casual, cold. Like he was choosing the first act in a play, not a man's final breath.
Gasps rose from the group. Ruth's hand tightened around her father's. Mesha took one step forward, face calm, almost noble, though his eyes quietly searched his daughter's one last time.
King Eglon's reason was clear.
Mesha was the lion. The steady one. The threat.
He had to go first.
The guards stepped forward to carry out the King's command.
John clenched his fists but did not speak.
Ekene closed his eyes.
Nnenna turned her head away.
Abuchi muttered a prayer under his breath.
As the guards came closer to take Mesha, Ruth and her mother instantly rushed to his side.
"No! No, please don't take him!" Ruth's voice cracked, raw and trembling. Her arms wrapped tightly around her father's waist, refusing to let go. Her mother clung to his other side, sobbing into his shoulder as if holding on could somehow freeze time.
