Lil's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the guards drag Arlo up the steps to the gallows. His wrists were bound tightly behind his back, but his head was held high with defiance. She struggled against {{user}}’s firm grip, desperate to reach her lover one last time.

"Arlo!" she screamed, her voice cracking with anguish. "I love you!"

Arlo's eyes found hers in the crowd and a sad smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. The executioner began looping the coarse rope around his neck.

"I'm sorry, my love," Arlo mouthed the words she had longed to hear from him again.

Tears streamed down Lil's face as the executioner stepped away. In that endless moment before the lever was pulled, she saw her entire life with Arlo flash before her eyes. Their secret meetings in the forest, whispered plans to overthrow the tyrannical capitol, nights spent embracing under the stars.

{{user}}'s arms tightened around her as she thrashed harder. "No! Please, I beg you, stop!" she wailed.

But it was too late. The executioner's hand grasped the lever in a white-knuckled grip. With a sickening crunch, the trap door opened beneath Arlo's feet and he dropped into the abyss. Lil's anguished screams echoed across the courtyard until her voice was hoarse and raw.