The Goddess Within

Dead Bodies Everywhere

I couldn't help looking back as we ran, and I couldn't forget the empty stare in her eyes. Something in me said to go back, but with his grip on my wrist, there was no way I could return. “Where are we?” I whispered as he slowed to a stop. We were in a giant corridor, possibly a dining hall, with a giant chandelier hanging over a long table. Everything was decked out in black leather, and blood red paint dripping oozing down the walls. I gulped, paint?

            He turned me to face him, “Look, I may not remember who I am, but I do remember this room. This is where they bring us when we first arrive. They put something in the food and wine that make us loose our memories, and then we are tested. Those who survive, like I have, become guards and other minions, but those who die, their blood is splattered all over the room, giving the term blood bath an image instead of just two words. After we bathe in the blood of those who died, we return to these cell-like rooms until we are needed. In the rooms, we are given our uniforms and weapons, and trained to kill. Am I frightening you, miss?”

            I could feel the blood draining from my face, “He kills those who aren't strong enough or not worthy enough to serve him. I never thought I would ever see something like this, it's horrible. Why doesn't anyone fight back for their lives? How do they even get here in the first place?” I glanced back around the room, noticing chains and whips, plus torches in the corners giving an eerie glow to the place. Looking down, I noticed the floors were white, but now stained with blood.

            “We are tricked, or so I have been told. They lure us away from our friends and family, usually at nighttime parties or bonfires, then we end up here. Some fight, but are usually shocked with high voltage wires and then killed. Sadly, the electrocution does not kill them, they are murdered by an old Chinese torture technique called Death By A Thousand Cuts. They are cut into pieces very slowly, but not on areas that would kill them. Then, they are hung upside down, they either die of blood loss or from all of the blood running to their head and then passing out. Or they die of starvation, dehydration, or disease from the blades. It is rather gruesome to watch, but luckily, you will never have to witness it.” He hung his head in pain of the memory, and a single tear rolled down his cheek, “Be glad you will never see that happen, miss, it is a horrible fate on both ends.”

            I nodded and put my hand on his shoulder, “We should go before someone notices we're here, I wouldn't want you to be killed for helping me.”

            “It would be an honor to die knowing I did something good, instead of the evil I have been accustomed to perusing. I only wish I could tell you my name, that way you could find me favor if I were to die.”

            I patted his shoulder and smiled, “We have to go.”

            He nodded and continued through a door I hadn't noticed, it was painted black and had an upside down pentacle on it, with a sketch of Tartarus's face in the center, painted in blood. We ran silently down the next corridor, and into a cave-like opening. I sighed in relief, I could smell fresh air and see sunlight, things were looking up after all.