A Hanging

The kids in the town were always fascinated by cats. One-eyed Tommy was their favourite. Bringing him bits of fish and watching him eat was their favourite pastime. Unlike other cat's, Tommy had a routine of his own. Every Monday morning, he would walk down the market head held high as if expecting someone to throw him some food. But the people were never too kind. All Tommy got were stones and sticks. But things were different one Monday morning. The market was empty except for a few people hither and thither. Tommy could see other cats poking their heads into the stuff of street vendors. He decided to join the rummaging troop of cats and do a bit of exploration himself.

"Aren't ye goin' to the hangin'?", asked a vendor not far from Tommy. "Oh yes, I'll be headin' out in a couple. ", replied a tall merchant drawing down the shutter of his shop. "It's goin' to be fun ain't it? ", said the vendor with great excitement in his voice.

"Oh yes, it is" replied the merchant with matched enthusiasm.
This Monday was a big day in the town. It was the hanging of the infamous Dirty Marty. Dirty Marty and his aide Mitch had got about fooling and tricking the townsfolk with their deceitfulness. But this last time was an exception. Despite his efforts to escape, Dirty Marty had been apprehended by the town police. But the truth was that Marty was arrested for someone else's doing and not his own. Mitch, being the only one aware of this, had been trying to get Marty out ever since.

It was on a dry April morning that Mitch received the news that Dirty Marty had been given the noose. From that day on it was a constant struggle for Mitch in the town court. He tried every trade he knew and spent every last of his penny to get Marty his release papers. The last thing Mitch wanted was his friend getting hanged and that too for a crime he had not committed. Finally, when he got about his way, it was too late. Or was it?

It was in the early hours of the day of the hanging that Mitch got the release papers. The hanging ground was far, nearly about ten miles to the north of the town and Mitch had to get there fast. With the same delight and relief that a desert traveller would have on the sight of an oasis, Mitch set out hastily to the gallows. The whole journey was a mix of running and walking. Mitch carried on his breath ragged and muscles aching. After an hour and a half of rigorous running and walking, Mitch could finally see the hanging ground at a distance. It was indeed a spectacle to behold. There was an ocean of people; nearly three-quarters of the town and more were pouring in from all sides. All these people to see poor Marty hanging? Mitch thought. As Mitch finally made his way into the ground, he could hear the people chanting together. Mitch could see Marty on the gallows with a sense of hopelessness in his eyes. Impulsively, Mitch fetched out the release paper from his coat pocket and started making his way to the executioner now perched on the gallows beside Marty. "Hang him, Hang Him" was the sound that came from all corners.

But Marty now sensed a particular sweetness in the chanting. The enthusiasm he witnessed was unmatched for. All the people together seemed like one strong wind of energy. The more he moved towards the gallows, the more his mind seemed distant. It felt as if he was melting away and being one with the crowd, their cheer and happiness resonating in his ears, the tap of their feet matching the rhythm of his heartbeat. Mitch stopped midway from the gallows and narrowed his eyes on the helpless Dirty Marty. Very slowly, he looked around at the overwhelmed crowd. Like how a tiny leaf rustles and falls off a branch, Marty's release paper found its way to the ground. Mitch raised the same hand which had held the paper a few seconds back and called out aloud; "Hang him".