Keys to the Abyss

Prologue

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Hungry. It was my first thought after opening my eyes again. The cobblestone beneath me felt like ice. The cool air made my lungs feel like they had spikes in them. Between that and the pain in my fingertips and toes my stomach was the worst.

However in this state somehow I am still breathing. How much longer will I last I wonder. As I forced myself to sit up my body felt even weaker. Like I had not moved in weeks.

The iron bars in front of me didn't feel unfamiliar to me. I have grown accustomed to the site for five years now. No windows with chains hanging from the wall. I am so weak now they don't even tie me up anymore. These people are truly horrible.

I pushed my back against the hard wall behind me and curled up. I closed my eyes and the tears just began to pour out like rain. I can't hold it back anymore. I am already exhausted and I haven't done anything, but cry my heart out as my thoughts race. I am going to die soon, there is no way I don't. I am on the brink of death. I have lived a short time outside of this place but still. If I could, I would run away from here. Live my life the way I want for once. If I hadn't been sold off as a child to a horrible person maybe things would have been different. Maybe I could have traveled, paint again-

A noise made my eyes shoot open. I wiped the tears from my face and waited. Whoever it was already in front of my cell, but they weren't looking towards me. I wonder what they are doing?

They opened up the cell across from me. Then more men walked up dragging someone or something. I couldn't see them so well. I could hear them talking though.

"In you go you bastard." An older man yelled out. I could hear a thud and the cell door slamming shut. My eyes finally started to adjust a little better. I could see the three men standing there staring at the person they just brought in. Unfortunately they all stood in the way so I could not see who or what it was.

"You're lucky the lord likes you so much and you better hope for your sake I hope he continues to, or" he pauses and turns to point at me. My heart dropped and I held my breath for a moment.

"You will end up like that." He spoke with no feeling in his voice. I could feel all their eyes on me. Disgust was written all over their faces. I know I look like a monster but if I am then they must be demons. Demons from the pits of hell itself. Torturing me all these years with no remorse. Fuck them!

"As for you." He opened my cell. My body started trembling on its own. I can't stop. My heart was racing as the figure in front reached down and grabbed my arm pulling me up as the others brought in an old wooden chair. I have no energy to fight back anymore.

"It's time for our next test." His face widened with a grin so terrible it sent chills down my spine. I tried to fight back but my body would move. I don't think I will be able to do this again.

"No.." I tried to talk but nothing came out. I can't do anything. They pushed me into the chair and strapped my arms and legs down. The man in charge came forward holding a bottle with some red liquid in it. They are going to force me to drink that again. I turn my head away quickly. No I won't! He grips my face. Shit! That hurts.

"Open or I will break your teeth and force it down anyway." His words were cold and harsh. The tears came once again. I gave in. I don't want to be in more pain anymore though. He poured that liquid into my mouth and the moment it touched my tongue the dreadful taste made me want to throw up. He remained to do so until the whole bottle was empty. When it was done my head dropped a bit and some fell out. That's when I felt a hand go across my face. The slap made my ears ring..

"Stupid bitch! You know, keep it all down." He raised his hand again but before he hit me I felt a pain so excruciating I thought I was being burned alive. I couldn't help but scream out.

"Nooo..... stop, please I beg you!" My entire body was boiling. My vision was fading in and out. I hate it! My stomach was twisting. It felt like I was being stabbed with needles everywhere. My head felt like it was going to crack open any second. This was worse than before. They must have up the dose.

"Make it stop please!" I cried but the men in front of me all just stared. Then I noticed it finally a little light of glowing red and black came from me. Almost like my body was putting off steam. This has never happened before. Was it emanating from my body? What did he just do to me? Then everything went black.

My body was shaking when I woke up. I could feel my body giving up. I sat up and placed my back against the wall once again. This wall somehow feels like an old friend of mine. My soul felt so stretched thin at this point. I think that this is it. I am giving up this once hopeful dream that I may get out of here.

"You really shouldn't do that." A voice said.

Who?

"You need to be resting." I looked over and across from me bars in-between us was a figure in the shadows. I chuckled a little.

"Rest. What the hell is that?" I said as I lay my head against the cold stone facing them. Damn, I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open and I feel myself fading in and out of consciousness.

"Do you want to die?" I could hear him more clearly now. So it is a boy they brought here. I wonder if he will end up like me. How sad.

"You know dying is not so scary. Once it happens, maybe this time I will stay dead. Then again I would like to do one more thing before I die for good this time. Just one more thing" I say, slumping my head against the corner of the wall. It's getting harder to keep my eyes open now. It wasn't the first time I had died really, I had lost count at this point, but they are not here to revive me this time and I truly have grown too weak to recover on my own.

My chest felt heavy and it became extremely hard to breathe suddenly. My hearing was going too.

Did he say something? It's like I can almost hear him, but it's muffled. I am sorry if they hurt you. No one deserves this, not even a monster like me.

"The sea.... I want to see the sea again. The color could never compare to any gem, I want to feel the green grass beneath my feet and the breeze. I want to....feel alive again." My voice was shaking. This is all I had left in me.

I closed my eyes and memories of the freedom I once had made tears flow down my cheeks. He is still trying to talk but I can't hear him. Please let me die this time. If I can not enjoy the gift of life then I wish for the peace of death.

I just want this to end.

Then I hear loud thuds almost like a cannon being shot off and someone holding me and a gentle touch to my forehead that felt so comforting. My last thought was wondering who or what it was.