Modern
Serbia has a recurring nightmare. It's the same dark courtroom with the same cloaked participants. They stand tall and menacing in their high seats protected by their wooden desks. The reflectors burn her skin. Her head is bowed and eyes closed. The restrains hurt her hands.
"Well" the familiar male voice says. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Breathing in deeply, she utters. "Just this once." Looking behind her eagerly into the dark she feels someone's presence. The figure reluctantly sighs in agreement. Serbia lets out air relieved.
"I beg your pardon?" the same posh voice repeats.
"I said, just this once...I'm fed up" she says serious and calm.
The others smirk.
"I don't know what made you this way, but I'm done being your plaything."
"Are you trying to play the victim?" a female voice chuckles.
Still looking down, she moves her fingers. "Oh no. Not this time" Her hands fly free as the metal restrains fall to the floor. The cloaked participants panic as she stands up.
"Stay back!" someone yells hiding under his desk.
With anger in her eyes, she yells: "What's the matter?! You had no problem torturing me while I was in that God-forsaken chair. The things you did...while I was constrained and helpless, and completely at your mercy! Why don't you come at me now?"
The figures stay hidden, like cowards that they are.
Serbia raises her hands up to her shoulders. The lights go off, only to flicker back. In the dark between, a figure of a large robed old woman stands behind her.
"It doesn't matter now. It's time to give you what you fear the most. A levelled playfield!"" the nation declares. The figure's arms are stretched out as if protecting her. With a stick in one hand, the large shadow clasps them together and hits the stone floor with the stick.
The high judges start coughing, and shaking uncontrollably. Their contorting bodies quickly fall out of sight. The nation in the middle, moves her hand as if swiping something away. The stick hits the stone floor one more time.
The heavy wooden desk break and scatter into tiny pieces revealing the participants, unmasked and foaming at the mouth. She watches it all calm and content.
She never saw them in her dreams again.