A boy sacrifices himself

For the good of his family

For the good of their name

His heavy legs tread

Heel...toe...heel...toe

His face lengthens with sorrow

Eyes drooping in pain

The Whip pierces his skin

Swish...thwack...swish...thwack

Jaw clenched together

Lips locking away his last breaths

Sweat streams from his brow

Drip...splash...drip...splash

Every sound is amplified

Time elongates with intensity

Heart beating cripplingly

Thump...thud...thump...thud

Yet he continues

His pace steady

Until he stops

Silence...silence

He falls

His long face hitting the ground

Followed by a limp body

Drooping eyes droop shut

Time stops

Stiff, Static, Miserable

Dead

It isn't fair

It isn't right

But it exists