Abandoned Complete Darkness

Chapter TWO: Darkness And Pain

The abandoned insane asylum loomed in the dark, its crumbling exterior bearing witness to the years it had spent vacant. The only sound breaking the silence was the faint echo of a haunting tune - "Sleepwalk", played by a mysterious figure lurking within.

A lamb mask obscures his face, but even from a distance, the air of menace around him was palpable. He moved with purpose, his footsteps echoed off the cold concrete floors of the asylum, nearing the one person held captive there.

Tiffany's brother, Michael, was secured to a chair in the center of a large room. His head lolled forward, the exhaustion and fear etched on his face. The sound of the approaching footsteps sent a shiver down his spine.

The masked figure appeared in front of him, his tall and imposing frame casting a shadow over Michael's trembling form. He brought his face close to Michael's, close enough for the young boy to smell the stale breath beneath the mask.

"Hello, Michael," the man said, his voice low and cold. "How are we feeling today?"
Michael didn't respond, his eyes wide with terror. The masked man chuckled softly, the sound sending another shiver down Michael's spine.

"Cat got your tongue?" the man taunted, circling around Michael like a prowling predator. "Don't be shy, we have all night together."

The masked man held up a jar, its contents sloshing around eerily. Inside, floating in preserving liquid, was a human tongue.
"Do you recognize this?" he asked, his voice barely concealing a hint of satisfaction.

Michael's eyes widened in horror as he stared at the jar, realization slowly dawning on him. The masked man chuckled again, his eyes glinting beneath the lamb mask.
"That's right," the man said, bringing the jar closer to Michael's face. "This used to belong to you."

Michael tried to shrink away, but the straps securing him to the chair prevented any movement. His breathing quickened, panic setting in.
"You know, it's funny," the man continued, his tone almost conversational. "Your brain can play tricks on you in extraordinary ways. You could think you're seeing or feeling something that isn't really there."

He leaned in close to Michael, his breath hot on the boy's face. "Do you want to know something interesting?" he whispered.

Michael's heart pounded in his chest, the fear and confusion overwhelming. He swallowed hard, not sure if he wanted to hear what the man had to say.

The masked man chuckled again, clearly enjoying the torment he was causing. "You feel like you have a tongue in your mouth, don't you? You think you're able to speak, to taste, to feel its presence?"

Michael's eyes widened even further as the man's words sank in. He tentatively ran his tongue over his lips, trying to feel the familiar organ. But all he could feel was the dry surface of his mouth.

"But the truth is," the man continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your tongue is tucked safely in this jar."

The masked man leaned back, a satisfied glint in his eyes. "But I don't think you need to see it to believe me."
Without warning, he turned and placed the jar carefully on a nearby table. He then moved towards a stereo system in the corner of the room, the sound of "Sleepwalk" filling the air once again.

He turned back to face Michael, his gaze cold and calculating. "Now, let's have some fun, shall we?"
The faint sound of muffled screams echoed through the empty halls, blending with the eerie tune of "Sleepwalk". Suddenly, John jolted upright in his bed, sweat dripping down his forehead. He looked around, disoriented for a moment before he realized he was in his own bedroom.

His wife stirred beside him, waking up at his sudden movement. "John? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

John sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "It's just a nightmare, honey," he reassured her, but his voice was strained. "I'm fine."