Chapter 10

A hellish red sunrise peaks over the rooftops of Paris. I try to think of Esmeralda's kind, gentle words and prayers, but only one phrase plays over and over again in my mind.

I'm going to die.

In some ways it doesn't even seem real, more like an empty threat. But in my heart, I know the awful truth. I'm going to be dragged to the gallows, strung up as a traitor, I'm going to have my neck snapped and my soul sucked away. God only knows what will happen after that.

I shiver, and wrap my arms around my own battered, worn frame. Tears come once again, tears of pain, tears of hunger, but most of all, tears of fear. I rock back and forth, trying in vain to comfort myself. I must be brave, I must be brave...

Heavy, thudding footsteps approach my cell. I look up to see Klaus, closely followed by Judge Claude Frollo himself. "She's refusing to confess, the execution is scheduled for this morning." mutters Klaus.

The two men stop before my cell door. Frollo smooths his robes and says "Good morning. As you probably already know, this morning will be your last. The time has come, today you hang for what you've done. Theft, treason, such crimes for a young girl. You are bound straight for Hell, the Lord will not tolerate your evil presence in His kingdom. And at last, the good Christians of Paris will finally be rid of you. Tell me, do you have any remorse?"

I may be broken down, but the flame of anger still burns bright within me, and that flame is setting off tiny yet powerful sparks of courage. With weak eyes, I glare up at the judge. "I know that what I did wasn't right, and for that I am truly sorry. But what you're doing isn't right either. You maim and kill in the name of God, warping His precious word to preach your own hate. You are not a good Christian by any means!"

Frollo clenches his jaw in fury. "Blasphemy!" he cries. "I am not only a righteous man of God, but the Minister of Justice! I know that you are guilty of unimaginable sins!"

Good. I'm getting to him. "You may call yourself a judge, but the only one who can truly judge me is the Lord. You can kill me, but you can't send me to Hell, that's not for you to decide."

Every vein is popping out of Frollo's neck, and his face is contorted with rage. "How dare you!" he thunders. Klaus unlocks my cell and slams my face into the stone floor. The salty copper taste of blood fills my mouth. I don't even care. I think I've made my point.

"That's what you get for talking back to a judge!" grunts the beastly man.

I lift myself back up to face Frollo, who has regained his composure. He scowls at me. "Little demon. You cannot fool me with your mind games, nor distract me with your blasphemous rantings. You are no longer of use to me. You will hang within the hour." And with that, Frollo glides away, leaving me alone with Klaus, who readies me for my execution.

Klaus drags me along the halls of the prison, as I am too weak to walk on my own. I avoid making eye contact with the other prisoners as I pass by their cells. Instead, I focus on praying, feverently praying. I pray for forgiveness for the bad choices that I have made in this life. I pray for my dear father, I pray that he someday finds happiness again. I pray for Esmeralda and her grandmother, for Clopin and all of the gypsies, I pray that they escape the oppressive clutches of an intolerant society. But most of all I pray that when my time is up, my soul goes soaring across the bridge to the other side, straight into the waiting arms of my sweet Gage. I fear death, I fear it more than anything. It is the great unknown. And it is now staring me in the face. But I know that in death, I'll finally be among friends once more, not the evil men whom I have been surrounded by. All of my suffering will cease, every burden I carry will be lifted, and a wave of peace will wash over me. I'll fly away all of the pain and fear in the world. Free at last.

The early morning light blinds me as I am dragged outside. A sea of peasants has gathered around the gallows, they all snap their heads around as soon I appear. Instantly they start pointing and jeering. A rotten tomato splats against my shoulder, staining my white prisoner's dress red. More rotten food is pelted at me, and a few of the more vicious execution goers throw rocks and gravel. I avert my eyes and stare at the ground. There is nothing I can do now.

The air is thick with cries of "demon!" and "traitor!" The bitter sting of tears hits me, but I bite my lip to control my emotions. For once, I need to be strong. This is the last chance I'll ever get to be.

I'm hoisted up onto the wooden gallows. Judge Frollo is standing before me, with a sickening smile on his face. He unrolls a paper scroll, turns to the crowd, and begins to read. "The prisoner Katherine de Blanc has been found guilty of the crimes of theft and high treason. The sentence...death!" The crowd cheers and carries on, chanting "String her up! String her up!" Frollo continues, "This unholy creature is a traitor to all of Paris! She is finally going back where she belongs, in the fires of Hell!"

Whatever courage I had before has vanished, and tears run freely down my cheeks as I am dragged over to the noose. Klaus makes me stand on an overturned crate, and the noose is placed around my neck. My knees buckle, my heart is pounding right out of my chest. I look toward the sky, up at the blood red sunrise, and I focus in on the flock of birds soaring over the rooftops of the city. I'll join them soon...

The guards begin a dramatic drum roll, and the crowd goes wild. I look to Frollo, hoping that he might somehow show me mercy, but he jerks his gaze away from me. He turns to Klaus and gives a solemn nod.

I close my eyes as the crate is kicked out from beneath me.