“Good,” the mayor said. He waved at Samuel to come closer. “Cut him loose, but leave the gag on.”
Samuel moved toward Claudette’s father and got on his knees, the knife outstretched. Claudette’s father stared at him intently, his teeth chomping into the gag as he sat up and lifted his bound hands. Samuel wanted to ask questions, but he said nothing. He knew better. He carefully sawed into the rope until the strands broke free.
Claudette’s father wriggled his wrists, curling his fingers up. His bloodshot eyes were damp. He could’ve reached up to pull off the gag, but he didn’t. Samuel could tell by the positioning of his legs he thought about running, but the gun made it a risky choice. The mayor licked his bottom lip before speaking.
“I’m feeling generous,” the mayor said leisurely. “No. That’s not the right word. Equitable. Yes. I am feeling quite equitable. Look at that child there. Harold, I mean you. Look. That is a demon. Look at its eyes. Look!”
Claudette’s father did as instructed, his cheeks paling. Samuel’s palms perspired.
“I want to play a game,” the mayor said. “Samuel, open the gate. Give the demon creature your knife.”
Samuel had to make sense of everything. He couldn’t stand in the way of the mayor’s wishes, but maybe he could redirect them.
“Sir,” he mumbled. “I think—”
“Enough whispers. Speak up, boy.”
Samuel forced mucus down his throat.
“Sir. I wonder if this is the best course of action. I know how much this … demon means to you, and I don’t think she’s in a place to be trusted with a weapon.”
“Are you questioning me?” The mayor’s voice got loud, his disposition immediately shifting to rage. “Open the gate. Give the demon the knife. Now!”
Samuel had never known fear like this before. This was something terrible, like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from. He shoved his glasses hard into his nose before getting the key for the cell and sliding back the gate. His teeth chattered as he made his way to her. She didn’t move, but her eyes readjusted their focus onto him. He couldn’t keep his hand steady, the knife twitching in his grip. He stopped a foot away from her, curling the blade end away. Zei stood still. He towered over her, but he felt so small next to her in that moment. He inched the knife closer. She didn’t take it.
Samuel took her hand into his and opened it. He tried to shake his head, but he couldn’t. The thought of showing any sort of disobedience to the mayor terrified him. He was a coward. But still, he didn’t understand it. Why would the mayor do this? If Zei died, then it was all for nothing: the job, the lessons, everything. He lowered the knife into her palm, wrapping her fingers around the handle. He stepped back, for a moment imagining she would take the knife and plunge it into his guts.
The mayor waved the revolver at Claudette’s father.
“Go on. You want absolution for your crimes? You’ll have to earn it. Don’t be fooled by its looks. That creature is not human.”
Claudette’s father gradually moved himself into the cell. Samuel wanted to tell him something, anything. Don’t do it, he wanted to say. Please. Don’t. He pointed his chin downward, refusing to look at Claudette’s father as he skirted into the cell. The mayor switched the gun from one hand to the other, but the barrel never lost its target.
“I’d give you a weapon, Harold, but that creature is a bit on the small side. And, it is in shackles. And, you’re the one who has committed the offense. I want to be fair. I am a fair man. Close the gate, lad, but stay inside. Stand near the demon.”
Samuel slid the gate shut, the metal clinking as it locked into place. He rubbed his palms across his thighs as he made his way to Zei. She stood silent, her face unreadable. The knife’s blade was pointed down to her feet, her hold on it loose. Claudette’s father cautiously took several steps forward.
“What are you waiting for?”
Claudette’s father took another step, but then froze. He carefully removed the gag.
“I can’t do this,” he whined. “I can’t.”
The mayor lifted the gun and fired a shot into the air, the boom so loud Samuel nearly fell. His ears rang harshly, and the mayor’s voice sounded muffled as he spoke.
“Shame,” the mayor said. “The least you can do is be a man and fight with some damn dignity.”
Zei remained still.
“I deserve punishment,” Claudette’s father stammered. “I do. I’m a thief. I deserve whatever you see fit.” He shook his head in short bursts. “But not this. No. This is wrong. This is evil. I won’t. I could never face my family alive if I … I can’t do it. Just kill me, please. That’s all I ask.”
Samuel stared at Claudette’s father in awe, searching for any sort of hope. Harold was a decent person. He knew he was. He probably only stole to help support his family. That didn’t make him a killer. Zei wasn’t a killer either, as much as the mayor kept saying she was. The sheriff too. They were wrong. He knew they were all wrong.
Claudette’s father gave a nod to Samuel.
“Take care of my daughter. My girls. Please. Tell Laura that I’m sorry.”
The mayor swung his arm forward and fired another shot in the direction of the cell, but the bullet struck the stone wall. Samuel covered his ears. The ringing morphed into pain. The mayor charged forward, shoving his belly against the bars.
“You think your wife and daughter won’t share the responsibility of your crimes? Am I supposed to believe they knew nothing about your thievery? Does money rain from the sky? Do you take me for a simpleton?”
Samuel’s teeth chattered. No, he couldn’t. He wouldn’t.
“They knew nothing,” Claudette’s father sputtered. “I swear to you on my life, they knew nothing.”
“Your word is like your life,” the mayor retorted. “It means nothing now. You want to guarantee sparing your family the wrath of all deserved justice, then you’ll turn around and you’ll do what I told you. Be a man and fight. Kill that demon. Fight it. Take the knife from its hands and eradicate it.”
“I can’t kill a child like this,” he whimpered. “It’s evil.”
“It’s not human! It’s a monster! Defend yourself, coward!”
Samuel scooted back against the wall as Zei’s fingers snaked tighter around the handle. She was stoic. This wasn’t justice. Claudette’s father shifted his body, his arms in a frantic state of motion.
“Mercy, please. Don’t make me do this.”
“This is mercy. Attack. Now!”
Claudette’s father closed his eyes, his lips muttering something. He dropped to his knees. “I can’t,” he said. “I can’t.”
Zei came forward. Samuel saw something in her eyes that brought him terror. He watched her lick her lips and curl them back into a grin.
“No,” Samuel mouthed.
Zei ignored him, her tiny feet gliding in rapid steps before she launched herself on top of her would-be attacker like a wildcat. Claudette’s father rolled onto his back, his arms savagely shoving against her small body. She was unshaken by his desperate pushing and swept her legs into a straddle over his chest.