DOOMED ESCAPE

The sound of hoofbeats and shouts carried through the air, growing louder and louder with each passing second. Joz and mohieazttha froze, their eyes wide as they turned to look in the direction of the approaching commotion.

They could just make out the shapes of guards on horse back, edged by the setting sun. It was only a matter of time before they were caught.

"Here's our ride." Joz said to mohieazttha.

"What?" Her eyes widened with shock. It was too late to run or hide.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves came to a stop. They heard a voice cry out. "Seize them!"

The guards dismounted from their houses and surrounded the pair.

"Just listen to them and cooperate." Joz said in a soft whisper. Mohieazttha stared at him clueless. It was as if her ears had deceived her. What was the whole point of their escape? She was struggling to believe her entire existence. Is this all a joke?

Joz's gaze was soft and reassuring. His eyes filled with hope and concern, as mohieazttha looked into his eyes her hatred and anger began to fade. Something kept tugging at her gut. But her heart kept telling her there was something about his expression that made her feel safe.

It was as if he understood her anger and pain. But yet willing to wait for her to calm down. Joz was never this calm and gentle. He was a changed man. Finally he mouthed. "Please trust me and don't act stubborn."

They cooperated with the guards and didn't say a word or try to escape.

Joz and mohieazttha were bound in chains and dragged back to the palace. Their fate unknown. Once they arrived, Zagaroth demanded to see them before they were led to the gallows. They both fell at his feet.

Zagaroth cackled - which made the hair on Joz's neck stand up and mohieazttha's skin crawl.

She was just so stunned at this point, she wondered why Joz was so calm about the whole situation. Did he have a plan? Or was this a planned suicide and he just wanted to take someone with him?? It all felt so unreal. What was happening? Too much had happened in just a few days. Mohieazttha wanted to just turn into thin air.

"I love your guts." Zagaroth said to them. "Poor things...I almost feel bad for you." He turned to hogalbar and they both burst into laughter.

"Ehem." He cleared his throat, he raised Joz's chin and looked into his eyes. "What a waste of genes, you DISGUST me! What kind of fang are you? I can't believe you're hezra's son!!" Zagaroth wanted to pardon Joz because he was hezra's son, not until he got to know about the broken relationship between father and son.

"No wonder hezra wants you dead!"

Joz looked up with teary eyes, sweat dripping down his forehead. It was as if his heart was pierced with a sword. His heart broke into a thousand pieces, but he didn't react. Mohieazttha's heart broke for him.

"Take them to the gallows! Let everyone gather and witness the execution of these pathetic souls."

The contestants on camp were summoned to the gallows.

As Joz and mohieazttha were led to the gallows, the crowd followed silently. Their faces cheerless and grave. Some had come to witness the execution out of morbid curiosity while some just wanted some entertainment.

The priest stood at the base of the gallows

As seconds ticked by, the accused began to talk. Their voices low and trembling, they didn't have much time so they spoke quickly. Joz was terrified but he didn't let his emotions get the better of him. He had to become the source of hope for mohieazttha.

Despite the situation, they found themselves drawn to each other. Mohieazttha for some reason still had faith in Joz. She kept telling herself: "it's all part of his plan...a miracle will happen and we will be saved."

Well... that was before she saw the guillotine and freaked out. "Joz! Joz!! Do something... I don't know what's happening, I cannot die this WAY!"

Joz kept mute and worsened the situation.

"I'm done for! THIS IS MY END!!"

The two of them stood side by side - their hands and heads locked in place by the guillotine's cold metal.

"Any last wishes?" The priest asked.

"Tell my brother I'm sorry... and I love him!" Mohieazttha cried out.

Joz shook his head.

The priest began to speak, his voice quivering with emotion. "Forgive them!"

Suddenly, they heard the sounds of footsteps. Zagaroth appeared - a cold smile on his wicked face. He gave the order and the blade came crashing down...