#like the stockade with the tomatoes first

[izel-scribbles]

what the fuck was that person even thinking. i am So Sorry that was an incredibly incredibly weird thing for someone to say to a stranger, let alone a minor. turning off anon was a very good idea

yup. never again

[therovingranger]

Goldshire, Dusk.

The roof of the Lion’s Pride Inn and adjoining blacksmith shop came into view as Aedl receded her gait to a brisk walk. Though the road between the Gates of Stormwind and Goldshire was in small proximity, it still gave her the need to catch her breath; the rate of her heart pounded against her ribcage like a dwarf's iron hammer on an anvil. Fang trotted a few paces behind her, the length of his tongue extended at full capacity from their advantageous sprint. Veering his way behind the Inn, the mastiff spotted the large pond that resided there, going to cool himself down in its shallow depths. Aedl chuckled softly as she watched him go.

“Don’t stray too far Fang,” she smiled, watching him disappear from her line of vision, before looking around to catch sight of the traveling merchant she had met that earlier morning in Stormwind. It wasn’t hard to miss the red-haired man with the curl-tipped mustache in colorful and expensive textiles scowl at her with a look of impatience, tapping on his gold pocket watch as she approached him.

“Your ten minutes late elf!” he snapped, putting the pocket watch in the side pocket of his trousers, eyes narrowed. “You’re lucky Innkeeper Farley has a full bottle of my favorite brandy to keep me distracted while I waited for you, I could have been halfway to Redridge by now!”

Aedl merely lifted a brow at him and looked him over. The man was not starving by any means, certainly enjoying the luxuries of his trade, but she bit her tongue over the matter and forced an apologetic smile and bowed in his direction with sweeping arms. “My apologies for the inconvenience, Master Beautrough,” she apologized as humble as she could, standing straighter to face him again. “I am obliged by your patience.”

Beautrough waved her off and snapped his ringed fingers at her to follow him, and it took a locked jaw and gritting teeth for Aedl to keep herself composed to follow the entitled man. They approached a black saddled horse that stood still and turned it’s head to acknowledge them, nickering in greeting. Beautrough motioned towards the horse with an extended hand and stepped aside as Aedl drew closer to observe it.

Stepping forward, Aedl ran her hand along the side of the saddle and the horse’s back, inspecting the quality of her purchase. She reached a hand underneath the saddle and along the ribs, feeling a protrusion of bone sticking out to greet her, the spine sunken beneath the saddle. The hand trailed down to the back leg whose hoof was not bearing full weight, and with a click of her tongue and slight pressure, she encouraged the horse to lift it’s leg and step; Aedl, noting it was a mare, turned her attention to the horse’s head, watching it raise it’s head up quickly. The elf’s brows knitted together and her jaw tightened, feeling her anger rise quickly to the surface. She approached the mare’s head and rubbed the bridge of her nose, before opening the mouth slowly to look at its teeth. She shook her head in disbelief.

Beautrough started to wave her off dismissively after he watched her for a few moments, clearly fed up with the time wasted watching her inspect her purchase. “Our business is done here, I will be on my way before the dinner I purchased grows cold-.”

“-not until I get my money back,” she replied shortly, cutting the man off with an adamant tone. Fang had approached her with drooling chops, his lazy tail drooped as he heard Aedl’s aggravated tone towards the short man. The dog came to sit at her side and growl at him.

Beautrough whipped around and looked at her, and then to the horse, lifting a brow at her and Fang’s aggressive temperament. “Excuse me?” he asked vehemently, starting towards her a few steps. “I’m quite certain that our agreement was there would be no refunds once your purchase was made from me, elf, and that is a hundred gold you will -not- see back. Do you lack from retaining memory as you do with punctuality?” the man jeered, arms crossing in front of his chest.

As he was at least two heads shorter to her taller her frame, Aedl dared to put her hands on her hips and lean forward to meet him at eye level, speaking through a gritted smile and a patronizing tone.

“What I lack right now, Beautrough, is the means to keep my dog from taking a chomp out of your arse and planting a fist to your face! When I asked for a horse, I am fairly certain the agreement was one that I could ride for a very long trip I’m about to take, not one who is underfed, lame in her back leg, and older than the Bronze Dragonflight! And for the price you jacked me over to pay for said nag, I could have easily bought a retired charger or at least a green broke colt and a pack donkey!

The look on the man’s face reminded her of a ripe tomato, she had never seen an expression go from fair complexion to red as he did. But as quickly as the fevered red washed over his face, his composure reposed itself, and a mocking smile emerged instead, a heated glint in his dark eyes. He lifted a spangled hand and with a quick motion flicked her on the nose, hard enough to startle her and send her backing away mare, the poor thing neighing and pulling back out of fright as far as the reins would extend from the fence post. The quick motion caused Fang to stand and bark at Beautrough, hackles raised. Aedl cursed aloud, glaring at him as she got up in a clumsy motion, even more, embarrassed as a few onlookers started to laugh at her predicament.

“You would be wise to watch your threats and muzzle your cur, elf,” Beautrough’s warning’s cool, his pompous air returning to him as he polished the rings on the hand that flicked her with a beautifully embroidered blue handkerchief. “Business misconduct on civilian grounds is an agreeable term for a week in the stockades.”

Aedl felt the hair on her neck rise, putting a hand out to Fang to quiet him as he growled lowly. He went to sit by Aedl’s feet and pant quietly, eyes intent on Beautrough. “The only misconduct given here is your hypocrisy and lack of integrity for the business you orchestrate, Beautrough,” Aedl managed to reply calmly. 

“Oh, my dear, there is no hypocrisy given! You asked for a horse, I had one, and it didn’t go further than that, because if I recall correctly you didn’t bother to inquire about the specifics. So truly, Miss Aedl if you find your purchase unsatisfactory, the fault is yours. You would do well to remember for future investments to know exactly how deep the river is before attempting to cross it.” 

Beautrough dismissed her with a turn on his heel and made his way back to Lion’s Pride, Aedl glaring at him all the way. “No worries, Beautrough. Chickens come home to roost.” Sighing with defeat, the woman patted her mastiff’s head, and turned around to the mare, rubbing her neck and shoulder. 

“I’m sorry old biddie,” she smiled, the horse leaning into her palm as she rubbed its ear. “I didn’t mean to disrespect you like that, you deserve better. I promise you, the first farmer we can find, you will retire on lush grass and lazy days for the remainder of your existence. It’s the very least I can do.”

Unraveling the reins from the wooden fence post, dog, elf, and horse made their way west towards Westfall, just as the light of the sun was kissing goodnight to the sky. 

[ecotone99]

Anarchy

Those traitors tied my hands behind my back and placed a black hood over my face. They didn't feel the need to restrain my legs. They said im too fat to run very far, and they're right. So in other words, I was fucked, a very bad situation. Maybe the worst.

My senses tell me I'm somewhere with alot of dust, perhaps a storage closet. They wouldn't bother giving me anywhere comfortable to stay. I've been in here long enough for panic to fade and acceptance replace it. Who could treat another human being like this? I haven't gotten a wink of sleep sinse they barged into my office with guns cocked. That was three days ago.

I'm supposed to feel guilty but I have no guilt and I've been very clear about it. My first time speaking up earned a gun butt to the face so I've learned to bite my tongue as much as I can. I didn't do anything wrong, I wish they could see that. We all make mistakes but we shouldn't have to die because of them, right?

I hear muffled speech behind the door I'm facing.

"...couldn't have come at a better time" a deep voice stated.

A woman answered "Let's get him out and get him ready"

Before a reply can be made, I see light flood the room I'm being held in.

"Get up fucker!!" The male commanded, in a angry tone.

I do as I'm told and don't speak. I feel a tight grip grab my cuffed hands and pushed me out of the room. Another grabbed my head, ruffling my hair in the process, and removes the hood. A large male in black and a attractive female with a serious face are the first thing my eyes fix on. They are obviously part of the rebellion, here to take me somewhere. I don't dare ask where.

"Keep moving chubby, it'd be a shame if you died before we got you on stage" the male spoke as he pushed me further down the grey hall.

The words he used echoes in mind. Stage? What was he talking about? Maybe I was finally going to receive an actual trial. Maybe I would have my chance to say my side of the story.

"We can't kill him yet, and you know that. The public would have our heads." The woman scolded him while continuing on.

"Yeah it was a joke, stop being so serious. We won. It's over."

Before I know what hit me she spins around and sucker punches me in the gut. Pain explodes through my stomach and I stiffle a small cry.

"IT'S NOT OVER! THIS ASSHOLE RIGHT HERE IS STILL ALIVE, FOR ONE" she takes a deep breath and goes on "we can't get complacent, that's how people like him got to where they are" I feel a gun nose poke me in the back and the man motions for me to continue. I grit my teeth and proceed, silently cursing them both.

The grey hall ends with large eggshell white doors and I hear a crowd on the otherside. It sounded like a riot was going strong through the thick wood. My heart throbs and I decide it's time to talk.

"Listen, this is a huge misunderstanding. You can have what you want, WE'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING. All I ask is you let me and my co-workers go. He's right" I nod towards the large fellow " you've won!"

The words leave my lips without much consideration. Every fiber of my being expected another blow to my body, so I tense up and closed my eyes....But nothing happens. Nothing except a small giggle that starts with the girl and infects it's way to the male. Before long they both break out into big guffaws, small tears forming in their eyes.

It takes a few minutes of dealing with the disrespect but eventually he answers me.

"You don't get it, do you?" He turns around and addresses her, thumbing in my direction "this dumbass has no idea"

She smiles sickly sweet and explains with a cruel tone. "There is nothing you can give us. The crowd outside wants blood and that's what they'll get. After everything you've done, I don't think anyone can forgive you. As for your coworkers? They're dead. They were the first to go, bud, but we saved the best for last" her hands reach out and push open the large doors.

I've been in crowds before. People use to worship me, or so it seems. But those were nothing compared to this vengeance thirsty mob. People fill my vision as far as my eyes can see and the jeering and boos vibrate my bones. Flying beers wizz past my head at intense speeds, I think I even saw a tomato. How cliche.

The male pushes me to my knees and steps up to a makeshift podium and microphone. The flying objects cease for him as he clears his throat. "People of America, we are here today because we've had enough!!" cheers grow but he continues "enough of the lies! Blood has been shed but we must uproot the evil from the heart of the establishment! We must do what is right, like our for Father's in the past. We must correct the wrongs!" Booming encouragement sounds throughout the crowd.

The girl takes over, as if reading a script. "No more will we suffer. Today, the last head will roll, and we will start anew!"

Before I can muster up the strength for a good fight, the man grabs me by my restraints and pushes me forward. I'm not sure where I'm being led until he turns my body to the right side of the huge stage. My blood runs cold. Erected atop a makeshift staircase is what seems to be a guillotine, a large sharp blade point down to a puddle of blood and serveral unrecognizable severed heads.

Addrenalin is suppose to kick in right about now but it seems like the guards were correct, I'm fat. I try to go limp but the guy doesn't seem to have much trouble dragging my body up the harsh sharp steps. Each lift I know I am closer to death, the mob knows it too. They seem to somehow grow louder than I previously thought possible, a small chant has started to be picked up like a simple wave at a concert.

TrumPETS TrumPETS TrumPETS

They shout with a surprisingly good rhythm but the words are lost on me. That is, until I make it to the top of the stairs and my head is forced into a wooden shackle stockade. My eyes immediantly meet a familar site below the head place and I realize what the crowd has been shouting.

My friend Mike's severed bloody stump of a head stares up at me, a perminate grimace locked on his face. I immediant lose the white bread and water I had for lunch all over the face of poor Mike. At least he wasn't alive to see this.

The guy guard makes his way back up to the podium to speak again, this time I knew it would probably be the last. Bullets of sweat spotted my head as he began.

"This is the end of their REGIME. But we must stay strong. Now comes a time of crisis and important decision making. Just remember we are all in this together, and as a nation, we will prevail." He eyes sweap the crowd before him, seeming to survey every face for approval. "Today, we start new. My brothers and sister, please join me in the purge of evil" he turned towards me with a small victorious smirk and then to the girl. "Pull the level, sister! Free us and " his voice is overhshadowed by the unlocking of the blade mechanism, I brace myself and try to block out any noise. Try as I may, eight words hit my ears and break through my concentration. "Let's make America great once and for all"

Instantly my head is severed from my body and pain slices through me. I'm alive long enough to roll a few inches away and get a nice view of my orange complexion and ragged presidential outfit.

submitted by /u/Campgoodfish [link] [comments] source https://www.reddit.com/r/shortscarystories/comments/c5u5c7/anarchy/ via Blogger https://ift.tt/2X98FC0