Last Week at Extreme Writing Now:

© 2010, Alex Crabtree. All rights reserved.

Edgar exhausted himself on the truth, but the State saw a different truth.  So he found Jesus and accepted his fate.

He was served his last meal and made his final walk. He was determined not to shuffle, but to walk like a man.

Hooded, strapped in, and gathering the last remnants of courage, Edgar tapped his right foot, which signaled the priest. He could hear the recital of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and knew to brace himself when the father said the part about forgiveness of others. The warden knew that Edgar would be ready then and he could signal the executioner.

“Our Father who art in heaven…” teeth clenched, “…hallowed be thy name…thy kingdom come…” sweat glazing on forehead, “thy will be done…” fist clenched so hard that finger nails cut palms, “… on earth as it is in heaven…” eyes tightly shut, “…give us this day our daily bread…” uncontrollable trembling, “…and forgive…” a phone rang somewhere in the background.

The sounds of muffled chaos filtered through the black hood. The hood was removed and the priest bent to say, “Bless you son, you have been saved.”

© 2010, Alex Crabtree. All rights reserved.