Talent

Chapter 1

"Do you know where you are?" asks the Old Man.

I have learned a lot from the few weeks I've been here. I've learned the day time is dangerous. The Sun burns hot and bright. It will melt the skin off your bones. I've also learned the night time is not much better. It's freezing cold and starting a fire to keep warm will only attract unwelcome guests. I have lived these few weeks in constant fear of enemies. Fear of enemies I can and some that I cannot see. But most of all I have learned not to Hope. Because inside this world the only Hope I could have is in Death. But not even Death is an escape. In this world it does not exist.

Pain does. More pain than I could have ever imagined. So much pain that I should pass out or go numb. Something, anything that can offer even a small relief. No, not here, not this place. Fiends have cut and ripped me apart. Limbs have been torn from my body. I have been beaten to the point where I am nothing but a lump of flesh and minced bones. Oh and I have been half eaten, that experience was especially wonderful. Even after all of that and more, somehow my body will heal. Slow as the healing may take, my wounds will close and limbs will regrow. It would be all good and nice except that the healing is more painful than the initial injuries were.

Speaking of pain, there is no food to eat and I'm always starving. There is no water to drink and I'm always thirsty. I have starved and thirsted my whole life, if you can even call this living.

"Yeah," I realize after listing it all out like that. "I don't know why I'm here. I can't remember it, but I must have done something horrible. Because now I am in Hell."

The Old Man chuckles. "Well you are half right." He smiles with a knowing grin. "This is Hell, but you don't belong here."

TIME PASSES

"He is coming!" The Old Man speaks with fear in his voice. "And this time, I cannot stop him." His grief breaking through his words.

"Should I run?" the boy asks in a whisper.

"It is long too late for that now."

"What should I do?"

The Old Man pauses just for a moment. Diving deep into his heart, into his newly found spirituality. He says two words that are more than just vibrations of sound. When he speaks them, the words become a compass for the boy to keep inside his soul.

"Have Faith."

BANG!

The door bursts open. It breaks from its hinges and flies across the room to shatter against the wall in the back.

The Master Enters.

"Hand over the Child, Serion!" demands the Master.

"Wait Brother." Serion steps in front of the boy, standing between him and the Master. "Please I beg you again to reconsider. Things have changed."

The Master's eyes lock onto Serion's in anger. His lips tighten and he steps inside the room. He is the Master. His will is never questioned, it is obeyed! This outrage will require punishment!

"Brother," begins the Master in a mocking tone. His voice starts soft, but grows more dangerous with each word. "One day soon your usefulness will come to an end." He steps closer to Serion, stopping once he is face to face with him. The Master shoots through clenched teeth, "Better not test my patience for that day!"

The Master gently places his hand on Serion's arm just below the shoulder, with the pretense of a brotherly gesture. They stare into each other's eyes. Then with incredible power, the Master pushes Serion out of the way. Serion launches across the room and through the wall. The boy now exposed to the Master. He trembles as the Master looms over him.