Sayemontess- Music to the Ears

Trigger Warning- this short story contains Violence, Mature Themes and Adult Content with Brief Strong Language and Nudity.

Sayemontess- Music to the Ears

Part One- Heaven

It was the beginning of summer, and death was on everyone’s minds. The castle was built with a new sound system- I might add, but who would be moved to sing? Who would be moved to step into the role of new leadership? Then dying Micah took hold of the microphone, and she handed the second mic to Phoenix. They sang, “Heaven,” by Talking Heads, and it was beautiful. So beautiful they sang it twice.

Part Two- She Dreamed of Heaven

Micah slept well. She dreamed of what it would be like to be in heaven with her family. Oh, heaven! To be there with the Lord Almighty. When Micah awoke next to Phoenix, he was found to be in the mood, so they tried for an heir. The race to have a pregnancy was on at the castle. Everyone was doing it. Like hound dogs in heat. It was their way, and that had to be respected.

Little did Micah know, but God forbade the passage of the beautiful citizens of Sayemontess from entry into heaven.

“No entry.” He would simply say to the deceased, and Micah thought He was going to be a loving, and accepting God, but He had had enough of Sayemontess, and that was that.

Part Three- It Worked!

A new baby! Soon, an heir to the throne! Everyone almost shit themselves when they heard the announcement. Micah and Phoenix had conceived! The sex would be found out upon the infant’s birth. So exciting!

Part Four- The Code Red’s Rebirth

With the newly rebuilt castle of Sayemontess, it was now time for the great celebration. All of the beautiful citizens would meet at the top of the castle. They would race as fast as they could to the gallows. The first one there won a whole roast dinner, but the last citizen to reach the gallows would be hung in the newly rebuilt gallows of Sayemontess.

This whole event made Phoenix nervous. What if Micah, in her pregnancy, could not make it to the gallows? There would go their heir as no one was excused from the great celebration. It would not be the first time an heir was lost, and it would not be the last.

“Code Red is in effect,” Micah said over the new sound system. “This is a code red event. All to the top floor for further instructions. You beautiful citizens have five minutes regardless of age. All must attend. Tradition. Soon, one of you will have the best roast dinner you can have. We have caught pheasants! But one of you must go. It is a cleansing moment. I’m sure you all understand.” The announcement was cold, but it had to happen.

Part Five- Ready or Not

“Where’s Micah? Where’s Phoenix?” Cried one beautiful citizen. “We can’t start without them!”

“She planned this herself. The contest must begin on time as all are here ready to get set and go!” Claimed the ugliest citizen of Sayemontess- Olga Price. “To the gallows!” She shouted as she boldly took control of the situation. As ugly as she was- she was fast. A swimmer, runner, and occasional pole vaulter- she wanted that pheasant dinner. It was hers. She took a head start, then screamed, “It’s on!” And all followed her straight to the gallows.

Part Six- A Sweet Shortcut, Perhaps Phoenix found Micah crying in the bathroom showers completely naked and dripping wet. Totally not ready for the celebration, Phoenix feared the beautiful citizens would declare them both the losers.

With the new castle’s layout, Micah did not know how to get to the gallows. She needed Phoenix’s help.

“You built these halls. Get us to the gallows quickly. Our people depend on our survival.” Micah begged.

He grabbed her by the hand, and led her cold and naked to a secret passageway he built without permission. This turned Micah on. Phoenix’s artwork that adorned the walls was astonishing work that gave Micah deep feelings for Phoenix in such a short amount of time as she passed through the passage. Maybe she loved him, but did they, maybe, take a wrong turn?

Part Seven- The Contest from Hell

Olga Price fell down the three-hundred steps to the bottom floor. She did not make it. So, soon the population would decrease by two in one day. Or three, or four- depending.

As the beautiful citizens avoided the blood on the steps, they all made it to the gallows. Ezra was the first to reach the gallows. Pheasants were in his future.

“Where’s Micah and Phoenix?” Cried out one of the beautiful citizens.

“I smell foul play!” Shouted another.

“Me too!”

Part Eight- This Dumb, Fucking Hallway Built By a Dumb, Fucking Guy

“This hallway never ends! They’re going to hang us both!” Micah said to stupid Phoenix. “This was supposed to be a shortcut! Wait! Is that an exit?” And it was.

Part Nine- His Will Be Done

They were last. The winner had been announced, and Micah and Phoenix had no idea who the beautiful citizens were going to eliminate.

“Goddammit, give me your jacket, at least!” Micah said to Phoenix who could not care less if she was cold. She did this. She put him in this horrible situation. He gave her his jacket, and his shirt, too. Then he said with tears in his eyes-

“Goodbye.” He then put his head through the noose, and he pulled the lever, and died. He had to spare his child. Micah went into shock, and a beautiful citizen insensitively called out-

“Does that count? Cause technically she was last.” The crowd realized this to be true, and the tradition was to be honored. Heir, or no heir, in Sayemontess, this was life. The way things were. Not always a happy ending. They strung Micah up by the neck, and they wished her well in hell. As she choked, she, amazingly, managed to sing the chorus to, “Heaven.” Then the crowd regretted terribly what they had done. Micah then passed on. She was as pretty dead as she was alive.

All for a local celebration. A beautiful tradition. Now, what? So many dead in one day. Now the population was thirty-nine. Thirty-nine souls that did not know what to do next.