I groan as I wake up from my dream filled with uncomfort, and immediately get struck with a crushing realization.
Today I am going to die.
Complete darkness surrounds me. I cannot see anything. The only thing convincing me I'm still on Earth are the tight chains around my wrists and feet.
I will die and they will think it'll be over.
The bag over my head is getting damp from all the sweat, plus every inch of my body has become sticky and irritated. The nuisance dwindles by the pain I have in my limbs from sitting on a stool with my arms on my back for who knows how long.
I hear mumbling coming down the same barren hallway I was brought through. Great, another interrogation full of pain and suffering. All the while convinced I must be the one.
I'm not the one. I don't know about the other person but it's not me.
The sound of creaking hinges fills the room. One... Two... No, three people barge inside, probably armed with who-knows-what.
Silence. It's a tactic to scare me... But the fear doesn't come anymore. It's been too long.
"Wake him."
A strong hand pulls away the sweaty bag, and I flinch as my eyes adjust to the bright bulb over my head.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I interrupt your beauty sleep?"
As I open my eyes, I can make out the silhouettes of all three of them standing around me.
"Don't worry, soon you'll have all the time in the world to catch up. That is, if you don't confess."
My severed voice crackles to life.
"I know why you're here. And you know my answer."
I violently get pulled back on my hair. A tiny shriek is all I can muster by this point.
"And we're not amused with that answer!" a surprisingly female voice yells into my ear. "If you know what's good for you you'll either confess your crimes or push the daisies!"
Still playing that card, huh?
With slight anger in my voice, I reply; "What is the purpose of admitting a crime I didn't do? Ease out with your paperwork?"
I painfully free myself from her grip. "What about the others? Did they deserve to die just because you people had a hunch?"
"Justice isn't perfect." The third person replies, possibly the leader. "So this time we'll leave no chances."
The fear is starting to come back. My hands, despite the minimum bloodflow, begin to tremble.
"...W-what did you do to that other-"
"Roughly the same we'll do to you."
The same strong hand who pulled off my mask of shame now comes back as a fist, hitting my already broken face with the force of a speeding bus. I let out a scream of pain mixed with hatred for all of them.
"Last chance, murderer! Admit you did it or die!" the woman shrieks.
End of the line.
The inside of my body is burning. All of my muscles scream in agony as I suddenly stand up and headbutt my attacker right on the nose. Caught off guard he stumbles backwards, the point of impact flowing rivers of red. I notice that in my rage, one of my feet slipped through the chains, stained with sweat and ripped off leghair. The sight of potential freedom gives me another surge of adrenaline.
"G-Grab him! Don't let him get away!"
I dash for the door, but the two left block the way through. They grab their gear formerly meant to make me doubt my sanity, now meant to finish what's left of me.
"You've made a grave mistake, rodent."
I barely avoid the sharp metal spike and rusty piece of pipe, but the second swing hits me right in my side. Groaning from pain, I grab it's wielder's hand and try to make it lose it's grip. I get distracted enough I don't notice the leader coming from behind who clasps me by the neck.
I have trouble to breathe. In desperation I yell once more; "You have to believe me, I didn't do it! I never killed anyone! I'm innoce-"
A brief but painful... something... crosses my throat.
"You lost all rights the second you decided to assault me."
I immediately feel weaker. I can't look down, but I feel something running down my chest. Something important. All the while I can no longer breathe at all.
He... He slit my...
He lets me go. One by one, my limbs no longer can bear my body's weight. As I fall onto my knees, I try to stop the bleeding with my hands as a last-ditch effort.
It's no use.
I slowly roll onto my back, giving my murderers a full sized view of the damage done. The ever scorching light illuminating the room seems to glow weaker and weaker by the minute.
"It's over."
With the last remaining strength in me, I look at the leader, who stares back at me with nothing but cold determination.
"No. Not yet." I try to say.
They've probably never even heard it between the gurgling.