Decimus thought back on his life and contemplated
how he had gotten into the predicament he was in presently. In hindsight,
perhaps it had not been the most logical idea to foster a love affair with his
master’s wife. However, Decimus knew that no amount of hindsight could have
changed his mind two weeks ago when he finally had the chance to embrace Julia.
Julia had been on his mind, day and night, for the past two years of his
service for Appius. Julia had toyed with his emotions through her lingering
gazes and her seductive mannerisms when they managed to steal moments alone
together. Decimus was acutely aware that he had been destined for demise since
the first day he saw her.
He
was suddenly brought back into reality by the unmistakable, deafening, roar of
a lion. He cursed Julia’s personal attendant, Clodia, for seeing Decimus enter
Julia’s room and notifying Appius. Immediately, Decimus had been dragged away
as a criminal, and sentenced to death at the next gladiatorial match. He had
been a spectator at many of these events throughout his life and decided that
knowing the intricacies of his fate was the worst part of the sentence. He was
armed with a short dagger, and while he was grateful that he had been given any
means of protection, he was not gullible enough to believe this would constitute
any sort of true advantage over a wild, angry beast.
He
looked at his bare feet, toes covered by the sand that would soak up his shed
blood. He looked straight ahead; he was ready to enter the arena that he knew
he had little chance of walking out of. Decimus heard the loud cheers coming
from the spectators and felt guilty that, only a month ago, he had participated
in the same cheering that preceded the games. Walking into the arena, Decimus
looked up to the left, to the seat he knew Julia would be occupying. There she
stood, as beautiful as ever, long red hair blowing in the breeze and a tear
falling down her face. Decimus closed his eyes for a moment and felt calm; she
was worth it all.
-Jillian Roberts
