Headaches & Hazbins: Book 1: New Kind of Life, New Kind of Hell

Chapter 20: The False Exterminator

*Poke*

Jockey Lackey 1: Hmmm...

[The two Jockey Lackeys stand in the center of the concrete room. Unlike the times before, the room is moderately lit since a few lights have been turned on to make it easier to see. A little bit of light from outside seeps through the barred window into the room. The dim light bulb that hangs in the center of the room is still lit but doesn't seem to be contributing to making the room brighter in the slightest. The Lackeys are both staring ahead of them, looking down a tiny bit. Both with puzzled expressions and holding their previous weapons, a crowbar and some metal chains. The weapons all have dried blood on them. The first one is holding his crowbar out in front of him after giving something a hefty poke.]

*Nudge*

Jockey Lackey 1: Uhhhhh...

[He nudges the object in front of him he recently poked. That object happens to be a person, and that person happens to be Asher. He's sitting down in a metal chair with his hands still bound together behind and to the chair itself. He looks... Very unlively... He's sitting hunched over with his face looking down toward the ground in front of him. He's still wearing his normal outfit, but it's all bloodied and torn up. His vest is missing a few of its buttons and has a moderate-sized hole in the clothing on the left side of his chest. The tear reveals a large cut on Asher's chest. The wound seems to have closed but barely healed; it looks as if the slightest amount of force touches it, it will open up again. The rest of him that is visible is no better. His pants and dress shirt seem to have gotten the same treatment as his vest, torn and bloody. His arms and what can be seen of his neck are also bruised and cut, with more dry blood staining his gray skin. His face is hidden at the moment since he is looking downwards. His gas mask is behind him, strapped to the side of the chair. Like Asher, it has dried blood on it and the lenses. The two Lackeys continue to eye him, confused.]

Jockey Lackey 1: I uhhh...

[The First Lackey looks over to the Second one beside him.]

Jockey Lackey 1: I think he's dead.

Jockey Lackey 2: Really?

Three Days Later...

[The First Lackey looks back at Asher, who's still just sitting motionlessly on the chair. The Lackey raises his crowbar and cautiously nudges it against Asher's forehead.]

*Nudge*

[He pushes Asher's head to the side a bit before quickly retracting his crowbar away from the tied-up demon. Asher's head falls back into the place where it was before, looking down at the ground in front of him. The First Henchmen lowers his crowbar beside him and shakes his head, annoyed.]

Jockey Lackey 1: (Annoyed) Shit... The boss is gonna be pissed...

Jockey Lackey 2: Wait!

[The Second Lackey places his left hand on the First Lackey's left shoulder. He then points at Asher with his right hand.]

Jockey Lackey 2: Look.

[The two look at where the Second is pointing at Asher's chest. It's hard to tell, but Asher's clothes seem to be moving ever so slightly. The slight movement just seems to be him breathing. It's slow and shallow... Very slow....]

Jockey Lackey 2: See, he's still breathing.

Jockey Lackey 1: What do ya know. The bastard still is...

[The First Lackey leans a bit forward and places the end of his crowbar against Asher's right cheek.]

Jockey Lackey 1: Hey! Wake up!