The Trial

Chapter 30 - Edited

Time comes to a standstill, and I'm stuck looking at his shocked face as I wait for the mist. I didn't notice the last time it happened, but wonder if I continued to feel the pain when the mist comes? It's an odd thing to think about at a time like this, but all I have is my ability to think. Why do I feel the pain of my body, but have no control over it at all?

There's the mist starting to enter and it's frustratingly slow. It's starting to dance before me as it tempts me with the promise of something. I'm either going to move forward or see the end of this, but the latter is preferable to the former in every way.

The gray swirls encompass everything, and I'm alone with them. My captors remain hidden in this maddening mist, but feel no pain at all. It's as if my body doesn't exist and only my mind remains as I wait for them to do something.

There you are. It may only be one of my captors coming closer, but the others are here. I can sense you watching me from the safety of the mist. Why do you continue to hide from me?

An orange light starts to take shape before me, but can't determine what the form is trying to resemble. An odd warmth floods over me as it nears, and I may finally get some answers. It's starting to brighten a little now, and it's as if the orange is caught between multiple forms at once.

The mist starts to recede, along with my captors and the forming light's gone. The sense of warmth is replaced by a chill, and I remain deprived of any rest. It appears my captors want to play their game a little longer. Each forward movement brings me closer to my death.

Come back and face me. Haven't you had enough of these games? I know you can do more than watch, so why not come out, and look me in the eyes?

I was wrong about receding, since the mist remains. It has simply changed from gray to white, and I feel nothing. There's not even a slight chill that was with me just a moment ago. It's as if my mind has been severed from my body completely, and this is more maddening than anything else they've done to me.

The light's returned in an almost blinding yellow glory, which fills me with an overwhelming warmth. I shouldn't feel anything at all without a body, but I can't deny the sensation. There's nothing uncomfortable about the warmth, but it's quite disconcerting. Whatever game they're playing, I'm ready to move on and be done with it.

Show yourselves and face me. I know you're there. I deserve answers for this madness you call a cell. You've stolen everything from me, except my mind, and you will never have it. I'll never give in, if that's what you want. You may have caused me to bend a few times, but I've never broken and never will.

Brightening yellow hurts eyes I don't have, and I'd shield my vision if I had hands. It's almost painful to look at, but I've no body to turn away. The light's forming again into something I don't recognize. Pick something and be done with it.