Prologue

Prologue to Jury. The novel begins.

Prologue

“Hang in there Elle!”

Panic underlined my already coarse tone as I rummaged through the storeroom. Deep down I knew it was more or less futile but hoping was better than sitting around in the hastily converted nursing room.

What was I hoping for? A miracle? A solution? A cure all pill? The practical part of me must be shaking his head with a face flooded with disappointment. There is no way that the stores has anything that could help her right now. I would know best. I am the Storekeeper after all. I don't need to be a medical student to know that scrap paper, pens, stationary and tin food couldn’t cure wounds.

But giving up wasn't even an option. I may not be the world’s leading figure in positive thinking but this I knew; despairing would not help my situation. Hope was the only thing holding the others together.

Elle wasn't the first. She was the third victim of an unseen sociopath. Probably just someone's sick intricate plan for unorthodox entertainment.

How did it come to this? Reginald. Claire. And now Elle. I mean Reginald was pretty much a giant prick and I didn't know Claire that much but Elle was different. No, we weren't like romantically connected in any shape or form. It was very platonic but in a mutual way. It was worth much more.

“Come on, think!”

“Leon! Nursing room now!” A stern voice interrupted my thoughts. It was like my body reacted on its own upon the very mention of the nursing room. I got up hastily and broke to brisk steps barely below a mild jog towards our makeshift nursing room.

“Better be good news.” I muttered to the lean man who was the proud owner of the stern voice earlier. And I wasn't playing around with the word ‘proud’. Seo Min Chul. Scion of the Seo family and owner of the few conglomerates of South Korea. For the brief few days we were forced to interact there were certainly little to relate with his constant royal untouchable demeanor. As to be expected from someone born and bred to succeed his parental lineage I guess.

Min Chul seemingly ignored my words; his eyes affixed on the destination. He gave two prompt knocks on the nursing room’s door before entering. I followed closely behind. I tried putting on a strong face despite my turbulent mental state but I doubt I could kid anyone at this point.

“Please be okay.” I lied to myself again.

Our mysterious tormentor may be psychotic but even he followed his own rulesets. I feel in some sick twisted way that I at least understood that part of him. It was a method of control. Humans were evolved to learn from their environments and adapt accordingly. He was using our biological evolution against us. And because of this I knew deep down that Elle won't make it. But again, I really hoped that I was wrong.

I wasn't alone in my assumptions. As expected Min Chul seemingly shared my hypothesis. The only difference is that he doesn't share my sentiments. How could he? He didn't know Elle, I did.

“It's time to make a decision. We are convened to solve a pressing matter at hand.” Min Chul spoke with authority. “We all have sentiments for the late Elle. But medications are near impossible to obtain and keeping her life costs everyone else’s.”

He didn't need to complete his sentence. I knew full well where this was going. I was only surprised he didn't call it earlier. Min Chul knew I was the final hurdle to give the okay and at every point of his speech, he eyed me closely.

“Don't phrase it like she's already dead!” A girl protested. She was visibly emotional as she leaned on her friend’s shoulder.

“Oh but she is. Elle Stonewell is dead. And the sooner you accept it, the better.” Min Chul replied. There was no hesitation in his voice and presentation.

“It's hard on everyone. But Elle’s chances are slim. Not saying that I'm for you know…. That; but… I don't know. What does everyone think?” The guy whom the emotional girl leaned on chirped in. It was Keith and Sonya.

A long awkward silence trailed the discussion. No one wanted blood on their hands. Well, all but the exception of Min Chul. But he doesn't count. It didn't take long before their heads turned to me.

Was I responsible for her? To be honest, I do feel responsible for her well being to a certain degree. Like the bonds you would feel between siblings. But this decision; that's not mine to make. Her life or the life of others were the options presented to me.

Am I about to make another mistake? Another bad decision? Don't get me wrong. I like to think myself as a pretty decisive guy; probably too decisive to the point of fanatical arrogance but truth be told, up to the recent events I never had to make any decisions of this level of difficulty.

And to be even more honest, half of these people stuck here with me probably doesn't know it yet but He lied. We were never meant to be given a chance to escape.