Page 11 of Dissent (The Dissenter Saga #1)

“In collaboration with the REG and the Council, I have made the difficult decision that those who have been found guilty of rebel activity, or in alliance with them, will not be subject to reeducation. Instead, from this day forward, any individual found to be cooperating with the rebellion will be subject to our highest form of punishment. It is an old and retired consequence, but proven to be massively effective. As such, I have reinstated this old practice. Beginning today, we will once again practice the ritual of Cleansing in the Arena.”

The crowd clapped, but I couldn’t help but notice several looked at each other nervously. I pinched my brows at the news. Was the rebel activity that bad? It seemed like such an extreme, but I trusted Jacob. If he thought this was needed, then it must be essential.

Raúl’s smile was grand, spreading from ear to ear, showing off his white teeth.

He allowed for the crowd to continue their applause, and as it settled down, he spoke again.

“Today, we will all share in a glorious ritual of justice that not only brings peace to the hearts and minds of every citizen, but cleanses the souls of those who have strayed from the righteous path. A ritual that helps to remind us all that your government truly cares about you and your future. With that said, may I please have our lost souls brought into the arena.”

At the far southern end of the arena, a massive wooden door opened.

Soldiers marched out, leading three individuals with their hands bound, and their heads covered with brown sacks.

What the hell was this? I had never seen the Cleansing in the Arena.

I had read about it, sure, but never paid much attention to the practice since it was done and gone with years ago.

Once at the center, each prisoner was secured to a post. One by one, the officers removed the sacks from their heads, and suddenly, I felt faint.

I pressed my palm to my chest, panic skyrocketing within me.

Because there, right in front of me, attached to the third post in the arena, was Chase.

“Citizens, I present to you our three lost souls, members of the Dissenters that viciously attacked the Administration just one day ago. We have found all three guilty of treason, having connections to the rebellion. Today, they will be cleansed.” The crowd clapped again, a few even cheered.

Raúl extended his hands out to the crowd, motioning them to settle.

“Citizens, as your president, I am also using the authority vested in me to alter the cleansing ritual. Normally, our lost souls would be executed and then cremated so that fire may cleanse their spirits. But I feel the crimes committed by these souls require a purer cleanse. Today, our souls will not be executed, but will be burned alive.”

My heart stopped as a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. Raúl was going to burn Chase alive! I looked at Jacob, who was looking back at me. What did you do? What did I do! This was all my fault. If I hadn’t said anything…

My mind was spinning. Chase couldn’t be guilty…

he couldn’t have been! I could sense the desperation rising within me.

And just as I thought I was going to do something stupid, I felt warmth encircle my hand.

I shifted my attention, seeing my hand cradled by Jacob’s.

I looked up at him as he drew me in, his arm wrapping around my waist. His features were soft, but his eyes communicated the sorrow he felt for me.

My vision blurred, and I tried to blink away the tears.

I turned away from him, shallow breaths making it difficult to steady my achy heart and sour stomach.

I glanced at Raúl facing the crowd, and then at Belinda.

Her eyes were piercing me, a satisfied grin across her face.

The same damn smile that haunted my dreams at night.

I was lost. I didn’t know what to do, so I did the only thing I could.

I gripped Jacob’s hand, clinging to him for strength, and closed my eyes.

I couldn’t watch. I couldn’t witness it.

My fingers sought my little heart, gripping it as the drums began to boom an ominous beat.

I heard Raúl’s words as he recited the last rites.

And then the screaming started. My breath hitched, a knot swelling so big, I thought I would choke.

I couldn’t resist it. I knew I shouldn’t, but my disbelief forced me to do it—to open my eyes and witness it.

My sight landed on Chase’s handsome face, melting as his screams filled the afternoon sky.

My stomach roiled with the smell of burning flesh filling my nostrils.

I quickly closed my eyes again, feeling the tears threatening to overcome me.

But it didn’t help. I couldn’t shut out the screams, and I couldn’t get his face—the face that I held and desperately wanted to kiss—out of my mind.

All I could see were Chase’s green eyes as the flames consumed him.