Malice: the intention or desire to do evil; ill will.

The prison was damp and musty. The cold stone wall burned into her back as she sat against it, listening to the rats crawl across her feet. How long had she been there? Weeks, maybe months. Today would be the day, she knew. One way or another she was finally leaving this prison.

She heard the door swing open.

"Malice," the guard's deep voice reverberated off the walls, "it's time."

She was grabbed by two strong men and lifted off her feet. They dragged her down the dim corridor.

Gradually the shouts reached her ear.

"Burn the witch! Burn the witch!"

The guards couldn't see her smile from under the rancid sack over her head.

They led her out into an open courtyard, the noise almost deafening now. She stumbled up the huge stack of wood and they fastened her to a pole.

Someone reached up and pulled off the sack, catching her matted blonde hair. Now she could see the crowd through her one good eye as well as hear them. She smiled around. If her hands hadn't been secured behind her back she would have waved at them. How nice to have an audience.

"Mallory."

She gasped, her head shooting up. No. It couldn't be.

"You have been accused of murder, arson, treason, kidnapping, witchcraft," the man continued, reading from a large scroll. He then scoffed. "Blah, blah, blah, it's a pretty long list."

Mallory didn't hear anything he said. She stared at him, unable to form words. "D--David?"

The man glared at her. "No first names please, Mal. We are professionals." Mallory closed her eyes as he continued, "As Benevolent Commander, I only have one question--"

"I plead guilty." The words dripped off of Mal's tongue as if they had been waiting eons to escape.

David looked at her. "That wasn't the question."

She glared, years of emotions welled up inside her. "Then what is your bloody question?"

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Yeah, that was the question. I'm adding bad attitude to your list of crimes."

"David--"

David accepted a burning torch from one of the officers behind him. "I'll give you one last chance to change your answer. Please, Mal?"

Mallory smiled at him. "Sorry old friend, I can't do that."

David glared at her, the torch inches away from the hungry kindling. He started to bring his hand down, then stopped.

"What's the matter?" Mal asked. "Not as easy the second time?"

David looked up at her, then let the torch fall from his hand.

"Bye, Mal."

She smiled up at him, tears in her eyes. "Bye, David."

Author's note:

I hope you enjoyed the prologue!!! Be sure to check out "Malice" by Julie Elesiv on WEBTOON! This chapter is based off of the first episode, "The Final Pages."

At the top we have Mallory. She is currently twenty years old.