139

Every step of the somber trek away from Jojo Island was weighed down by the weight of what was ahead.

We walked into the woods with the three convicts in tow until we came to a forest of enormous trees, some of whose branches reached the sky.

I started to feel uneasy when the men knelt in front of us. For an instant, I wished Edward had taken decisive action sooner rather than later to save us the burden of choosing their fate. But there was no denying the harsh reality of our predicament.

The thought of taking another life, even in the name of justice, left a bitter taste in my mouth. But then I remembered the fear, the desperation, the cold grip of terror that filled, me earlier. These men had been willing to snuff out my life without a second thought. I couldn't afford to show them mercy.

Edward's eyes blazed with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His anger was evident, a seething fury that seemed to consume him entirely. At that moment, I knew there was no turning back