Liza's POV


My execution was scheduled the day of my 26th birthday. There was somethin' humorous about that congruence, so I said to the guard scheduled that morning on D Block. She didnt seem to think it all that funny herself, but humans were not much to joke around with death. Us orcs were a warrior race, we fight and we die and we expect it.

The prison staff had the kitchen prepare a generous last meal. A ribeye steak, pommes frites, and a slice of black forest cake. They even got a can of my favourite beer. I polished it off quick-like, after 2 years of prison slop a spread of real food was just too good to pass up.

Then, it was time to leave my cell. A steady clattering of footsteps announced the arrival of the hangman, some fresh faced young human, straight from the Justice Institute. Two guards, a dark elf and a human girl flanked him. They were rough about cuffing my wrists, and I gave em a little show of my teeth, just to make them work for it. Then I was out of the cell and walking down to the yard for my date with the noose.

I could tell the hangman was eyeballing me, the little twerp's eyes kept sneaking peeks at my tits and my crotch. The jumpsuit they had issued me when I was first admitted into Bellau had shrunk over the years, and I could feel my dick rub against the inseam and start to stiffen.

Then we entered the yard, and the gallows stood before me. Ever since my last appeal had failed, I had been steeling myself for this sight, but it still made me halt. A rough jab to me back got me going again as I followed the hangman up the steps.

My eyes were locked onto the noose as it gently swayed in the summer breeze. The hangman went about his business, checking that the trap door was set up correctly and that the noose was the right length. He finished checking, and grabbed the noose.

"Please stand on top of the X, Ms. Redrock", the hangman instructed. His tone was gentle, but firm. I walked forward until my two feet were squarely on top of the trapdoor. I felt him brush against my chest as he wrapped the restraints around my waist and legs. He then threw the noose over my head, sliding the knot tight and snug under my left ear.

I had been feeling pretty strong and stoic, but the feeling of the rope resting against me neck suddenly brought the reality of my situation home. Within a few minutes I would drop 6 feet and have my neck broken. I would die.

Sweat rolled down my forehead and gathered under my armpits. My lips were dry.
It was so damn hot. The human took a blindfold from his vest pocket and strapped it over my eyes.

I heard Father Hemsley approach.

"It's still not too late to repent and convert."

I laughed hoarsely.

"Sorry padre, not buying what you're selling today."

He said a prayer for me, his voice tinged with regret.

An interminable silence followed. Then, I felt the platform disappear, a sudden crashing sound as the doors dropped, my stomach flipped and for a brief moment I felt weightless.

A sudden wrenching pain in my neck followed by a bright flash behind my eyeballs, then a yawning void rushing up to meet me.



Postmortem

The hangman observed as Dr. Cheruski attended to the swaying body of Prisoner 778390, as the regulation half hour had passed. The good doctor undid the first three buttons of the jumpsuit and let Liza's prodigious breasts pop free, slick with sweat. She placed her stethoscope against the chest and listened intently. She shook her head, and pulled back. Leaning forward, she undid the blindfold and pried open one eyelid, shining a pen light into the empty orbs. She turned to me and nodded.

"Prisoner has expired, she's all ready to be processed at the morgue."

I thank her, and motion to the correctional officers to bring the gurney. They gently lowered Liza's body down onto its stainless steel surface, cutting the noose off of her neck. I walk over and admire my handiwork, noting the elongation of the neck, the subdermal bruising, and the faint stench of feces and urine. Her expression was peaceful, serene. Her full lips were open, the orcess's fangs portruding slightly. A strand of her jet black hair had fallen over her face, and I brush it away, feeling for the first time the sensation of touching the flesh of a fresh corpse. She was still warm, her skin still moist from the humidity.