The burlap sack over my head is finally removed. My breaths come in ragged as my greedy lungs scream for air. After nearly suffocating under that hood, the cold winter air is a welcome change of pace. The relief is short-lived, however, for the brutish man behind me shoves me forward and presses his sword against my back. Through the thin fabric of my tunic, I feel the sharp blade poking into my flesh. Against my will, I walk forward onto the stage they have prepared for me.
The villagers erupt into an angry chorus as I walk into view. They clamor and shout for my death as I am shackled at my hands and feet to a bloodstained stone wall. I see that many of them are hefting rocks with an eagerness that chills me to the bone. Not so long ago, these people had been my neighbors and friends. Now, they await the moment to dash my brains out for crimes I never committed.
"You have the wrong man!" I cry in desperation. "I am innocent! The real murderer is still among us! Please, you have to believe me-"
The first stone whizzes through the air and hits me square in the nose. I can feel the bones break from the force of the impact. Another rock slams into my temple, filling my vision with stars and my head with crippling pain. Yet another rock hits. And then another. And another. And another. Sharp stones rain down on my body and slice my flesh apart. Blood seeps into my eyes, blurring my vision. I can no longer tell where the rocks are coming from. A rock hits me in the mouth, dislodging my front teeth. My sinus cavity caves in from another rock. Pain! Pain on levels I have never known. I feel myself fading into the black. I make no attempt to resist. There are no rocks in the black. No pain. One final rock crushes my skull and I surrender completely to the black.