The Courtroom | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Courtroom | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lindsey Lillard
06/08/22
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The voices were deafening.
“Liar!”
“Murderer!”
“Adultress!”
The words crashed through my thoughts, echoing again and again and blocking out any other thought. I couldn’t deny their truth. My hands shook as I gripped the table before me.
The voices grew louder and louder, their noise swelling to fill the room. When would they stop?
“Quiet.” The word, though not loud, was spoken with authority. They hushed at once- a stillness filled the room. Though I had ached for this silence, it offered no reprieve. Those accusations- those facts- were branded into me. They were me.
I knew His eyes were on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to look back. I had read the case. There was no question as to its verdict.
I had read the law.
I was going to die.
I used to think there would be a peace in that. Golden lights, or some kind of rebirth. I knew better in that moment. I could feel death’s cold breath whispering down my neck. There would be no peace. Not for me.
I sat, eyes trained on the dark wood of the table before me, waiting for the sound of the gavel; the condemnation I knew was coming.
“Would Defense please come to the stand?”
Defense? I had been offered no defense. I deserved none.
He seated Himself to the right of the judge. He was beautiful. His eyes met mine and I knew. He was nothing like me. He had broken no law. He was righteous. What words would an innocent man- a man I didn’t know- have to speak for me? There were no lies to tell. The facts were plain. The proof was clear.
I was going to die.
The shame came in waves. Lapping again and again. Pounding.
I was drowning.
What have I done? What have I become?
The regret ached, a deep ache heavy in my chest.
It came too late.
I was suffocating.
“Well,” the deep voice of the Judge came slowly and deliberately. “What do you have to say for her? What can be done?”
The room was still. No one spoke for a long moment. I closed my eyes. He had nothing to say.
“It has already been done.” a whisper reverberated through the room. Confusion. I lifted my eyes to see his gaze on me, a sorrowful look on his face. Love was in his eyes.
Across the room Accuser stood, tightly clutching a fist full of papers.
“Nothing has been done!” He shouted angrily, storming to the stand. He cast the papers before Defense, snarling. “You see them- written plain in back and white. The penalty is death. There should be no more delay!” The crown behind me jeered.
I couldn’t breathe.
I was going to die.
The Judge spoke again, louder this time.
“Quiet.” The room quieted. Glowering, Accuser took his seat. “What do you have to say?” The commanding words were directed towards the quiet man on the stand. Slowly, quietly, he picked up the papers that had been dropped before him. He looked to the Judge.
“I have taken her punishment. I have died her death. My blood has paid her debt.” The room was silent as the Judge contemplated his words. I hardly dared to breathe. For the first time, I could recognize hope again.
How was this possible? The Judge demanded the papers and scrutinized them carefully. The seconds seemed as hours. Accuser smiled, sure his victory was in hand. He had done his work thoroughly.
For some reason, my heart beat faster. I sat up straight. The Judge looked at me, His countenance softening. He pounded the gavel heavily.
“The defendant had been found innocent. Her debt is paid in full. She is free to go.” The courtroom erupted. Outrage and confusion dominated the crowd behind me. Accuser raved, but I knew I was safe. Safe from them all. A confidence drew me to my feet, then to the stand. The man still sat watching me. A smile now on His face.
He held out a scarred hand to me. I took it and knew- it had cost Him dearly. Though shame and regret had gone- though I could breathe again, I fell to my knees before Him. I was not worthy. Not deserving. I stammered a thanks, so inadequate.
“It was my joy,” He whispered, pulling me to my feet. “Because I love you.” I knew then.
I was going to live.

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