Prompt: Plague
”Stuff your masks full!”, shouted a man dressed in grim black clothing in the early morn of the day, “ And bring the torches! We need to burn this village to the ground!”
Another day, another burning, I thought to myself, No matter how many bodies we burn, no matter how many villages we destroy, it’s never enough. These people can’t help themselves and are now paying the price for it. Poor souls, may they find peace in the Heavens above! I stuffed the beak of my mask full of herds. They don’t smell great, but it’s the price to pay to stay alive during these times.
We descended into the village like the plague itself. Dragging the dead out of homes and into a cart to be hauled away to a burning pile. The first spark of the cleansing fire erupted on a nearby shack made of wood. Screams filled the air as more and more buildings went up in flames. What soon followed was the stench of burning flesh and decay.
Such a putrid smell, if only the Heavens above showed them the way before all of this. This all could have been prevented if people had listened. Alas, freedom of choice is what we are grated, but freedom of consequence is a privilege we will never have. Rest it be poor soul, rest it be.
While I was moving a deceased body, the owner of said body grabbed my arm roughly. I tried to shake them away, but they clung on as if their life depended on it.
”Unhand me plagued one!” I bellowed toward them.
In a sudden burst of energy, almost as if they were possessed by a demon, the face of the person I was holding was in front of me. Their face was crazed and eyes bloodshot red. Their fingernails dug into my leather gloves. Large boils covered their face, red and blistered. It was a painful sight to behold. I couldn’t imagine the pain they must be feeling.
”I am not the plagued one, oh Bringer of Heresy. You and the rest of your unholy flock will follow soon”, after that haunting claim the body went limp once again.
Madness must be a part of this disease. I must cleanse them quickly so they may be embraced by the Heavens above! I thought as I dashed towards the closet tower of flames.
We finished quickly with this town and made camp several miles away from the smoldering village. I began to remove my clothing so they could be cleaned. As I removed the glove that the madden person had grabbed, I noticed small blisters.
Maybe madness doesn’t run in this disease after all…
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