Crimson

Chapter 13: Weakness

? Perspective:

The skin on my back started out just barely numb as my knees began to bruise from pushing deeper and deeper into the surface of the floor. Trying to counteract the thrashes I gritted my teeth and held my breath. But every time the coarse leather struck my back the wind was knocked out of me and I screamed until my throat gave out. They had forced me to remove my shirt from my body and get down on my knees, chaining my wrists to the pole so that I was unable to flee. I attempted to hold my tears in but a few escaped and streamed down my cheeks, falling from my chin to the floor. It was rare of me to ever cry, especially in front of others. I never showed emotions such as this to continue the facade that I was fearless—brave even. Not to mention it was always important that I be tough to inspire the Lost Boys that felt like they were never capable of being strong like grown men, yet still, have the heart and curiosity of young boys.

The numbness had now slowly grown into an itchy, burning sensation. I could feel my skin start to pucker as pieces of it began to split. My body shook as he continued to lash at me. It was now that the muscles in my body began to spasm. It seemed to be that the more I shuddered the quicker he would lash at me. One hit after another he continued to wound me without ceasing. The sudden urge to writhe in pain made it nearly impossible to hold in my shouts.

"Hand me that flask" his husky voice roared. For a slight moment, the whipping had stopped and I sat on my knees breathing heavily. From behind me, I could hear the clanking sound of something metal. In desperation, I tried with all my might to inch closer toward the pole to have it as something to latch onto. But before I could latch on my back seared in pain, feeling as though it was being scorched by the flames of a burning campfire. My screams of agony echoed for what seemed would be miles as my whole body collapsed onto the floor. A flask of alcohol had been thrown onto my fresh wounds, making them sting and froth. It was as if someone took a piece of sandpaper and sanded away at my completely open wounds. Feeling liquid drip down my back I was sure that it couldn't have just been the alcohol.

"That's enough..." he grimaced. His footsteps walked in the opposite direction of me as I laid on the floor shaking and shivering. My faint breaths were quick and staggered. The tears that I had fought so hard to hold in had now finally seen the light of day. My muscles slowly ceased to vibrate as I began to breathe slower, heavier breaths. The stinging wounds on my back now only seemed to ache. My external wounds, however, weren't the only thing that ached. My inner being ached to know that I would never be able to escape from this living hell.

Hannah's Perspective:

"What do you mean you won't tell me?" I grimaced as Brett spoke. My voice was harsh as he shook his head. "We had a deal." Strolling through a path in the forest Brett held his hands up in defense.

"Hey, watch it. Yes, we had a deal...But I can't talk about her. Not until you get to know her first." My muscles began to tense up. I immediately shot him a distasteful glare and scoffed. Of course, he wouldn't tell me what I actually wanted to know. That would be too easy.

"Why would you care if I got to know her? Why would I want to get to know her?" I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Why would I want to get to know her? It's pretty obvious that neither of us has any interest in being acquaintances, let alone friends. Plus, anyone that just appears out of nowhere at such an odd time has something up their sleeve.

"Not my choice—Pan's orders." His yellow eyes met mine as I turned my head away from him.

"Of course it is..." I sighed, rolling my eyes at the thought of me being so naive, thinking that Brett was actually trying to help me.

"But anything else I'd be just ecstatic to fill you in on" he offered. Looking ahead of me I dropped my head and sighed. Why should I even bother trusting him? He's just one big ticking time bomb waiting to destroy my life more than it has been. But then again, even the most unsuspicious people can turn you into a laughing stock. The thought of Julian made me want to beat the snot out of him, then beat the snot out of myself for being so gullible. What was the point in caring who to trust anymore? Who knows if anything he's told me is even credible? Though there was one thing that he kept a secret from me besides that girl.