A Sacrificial Lamb

It was definitely getting hotter, little Sally Cupp thought as she crouched inside the sacrificial Wicker Dwarf. She could see through the slats in the structure the revellers of the Skaggerston Town fete, singing along with a band. Her parents had told her this was a great honour, but that she would have to go to Heaven afterwards, and never see them - or their pet chinchilla Aristotle - ever again. This made her sad. Then she recalled the smile the Mayor had given her - one of respect, of pride.

She clutched her teddy bear tighter as flames licked at her feet.