Chương 72: Chapter Zero : Kiss of Light

Prologue

Let me die.

Not the first time she'd wished it. Unfortunately, also not the last.

She hung suspended by the wrists, the chains rattling each time she twitched. She had to crane on tiptoe because if she sagged, gravity showed no mercy. Her own weight turned against her, wrenching her shoulders, tearing ligaments.

The longer she hung, the less it hurt, mostly because there was not much left of her. Barely more than skin and bone. Even her hair was gone. Once a point of pride, now shorn to the scalp. What stubble remained was dark with the blood and dirt that caked her from head to toe.

While her arms were tethered, her captor left her feet free. He thought it amusing when she mustered enough strength to kick at him. She never had enough force to do any damage. And he knew it. Knew it and laughed at her.

Then beat her, because while he liked to tease, he enjoyed it even more when she screamed.