Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
The sound of shuffling feet assailed Duncan’s ears as he and his undead escorts marched down a barren corridor. It was dark even with the few fiery orbs on the walls, the light danced around and the shadows made the ghouls that surrounded him more unnerving. He was cold and hungry but it wouldn’t do any good to complain since they wanted him to suffer before dying. The flooring under his feet was smooth as ice and just as cold and it made Duncan wonder how deep down the palace went for it to be this cold. Every so often he would see Pamela glancing back at him, the hate and nasty intent in her eyes told him everything he needed to know.
Sorath decided to use her to torment and break him down. He had seen into Duncan’s mind somehow and probably saw many of the more painful memories of their marriage, the fights, the arguing, Pamela berating him and tearing him down any chance she got. Looking down at himself, Duncan knew that this was her idea to strip him of his clothes. Might as well add humiliation to the ever growing grocery list of suffering. Duncan recalled when they first started dating how she was so sweet and loving, how nothing in the world matter except the two of them. Shortly after they were wed, the relationship subtly shifted into mind games and metal abuse. Duncan took every bit of it and it got to the point where her off-handed comment became common place and helped to crumble his own image of self-worth.
Duncan felt his whole body going numb from recalling it all, despite his miraculous healing abilities Pamela had a way of reopening those old scars and she barely spoke to him today. Duncan’s mind snapped back into reality as he felt the unmistakable caress of several ghouls touching his naked flesh. He glanced at them and could tell they were foaming at the mouth, wanting to feast on him but couldn’t. They looked like starving creatures that had a mouth-watering steak waving in front of them and just out of reach.
“Get your filthy pets to keep their goddamn hands to themselves!” Duncan bit out.
“Why? Are they bothering you sweetheart?” Pamela mocked, “Are you feeling a little – insecure around my precious friends? Maybe I should let them get closer to you so you won’t feel so inadequate around them.”
“Fuck off Pamela! The Chouls don’t need to be here on this Earth. I’ve had my fill of them and one too many close encounters too already.”
Pamela flashed him a wicked grin and a moment later, the ghouls were shuffling closer to Duncan. Each one of the ghouls reached out and touched Duncan, either running a hand up and down his body or gently grouping him. Duncan glared at Pamela as she kept leading the way down the long corridor. What made her so cruel, Duncan thought as he shoved and smacked the hands away from his body.
“Don’t hurt my friend’s feeling or they might take a bite out of you.” Pamela shook her head, “Same old Duncan, nothing but a waste of oxygen and despite the fact that you’d buffed up in my absence, you will always be a pathetic excuse for a man and never will amount to anything in this life.”
“Maybe so, but at least I’m not the one that’s slumming it with the Chouls and the pseudo-Jesus.”
“Still mad you didn’t get chosen for a higher purpose, babe? Typical of you Duncan, always blaming others for you failures and misery. I never understood why you never killed yourself, it would have made my day and life so much easier.”
Duncan mouth dropped open by her remarks. He knew things were rough and times were hard during their marriage but Duncan never thought he would hear her say such things or be this cold. Pamela smirked at Duncan, “That’s right honey, I loved you that much! Why you never filed for divorce is beyond me.”
“Because I made a promise that I would be with you till death do us part and I keep my promises that’s why.” Duncan snarled.
“Oh you and your old fashion sense of nobility. Don’t you know that doesn’t mean shit anymore? You disappointed me on so many occasions, especially when I gave you just cause to leave me. So many affairs and yet you stayed with me. You know what that makes you right?”
“A man of my word.” Duncan said but even saying it out loud now made him second guess his choice to stay.
“No, that makes you a weak, pathetic, worm and both know that worms are spineless. That is the man I married so long ago.”
“At least one of us had made the effort to stay true to those vows…even after you were taken away from me, I still didn’t stray.”
Pamela stopped dead in her track, halting the escorts. She turned around to face Duncan and suddenly she couldn’t help doubling over laughing at him. Duncan scowled at her but didn’t say a word. At least she sounds touched by my choice, he thought sarcastically to himself. All the ghouls surrounding Duncan were looking at him and pointing their boney fingers at him and began laugh as well. Duncan never heard a ghoul laugh before and it was creepy and unsettling. Their voices were not in unison and it sounded scratchy and hollow, it echoed in the corridor which made it sound like there were more laughing at him and it sent chills up Duncan’s spine.
Pamela wiped the tears from her eyes, “Wow! What a fucking loser you are! You had what, a five year pass to fuck whoever you wanted and didn’t act on it? I’d find that hard to believe but then again, who would want your sorry ass anyways.”
“I had many opportunities to cheat on you during that time! Many ladies were throwing themselves at me but I never once strayed.” Duncan shouted over the chorus of undead laughter.
“You didn’t stray because there wasn’t anyone that wanted you and if there were, they weren’t willing to put up with you like I did. Just you and rosey palm for the rest of your short life. Me? I’ve had no problems getting lucky here.”
Duncan gasped, “I didn’t think you would be able to do that here in the supposed Holy Land.” Then he shrugged his shoulders and added, “I guess your Jesus is running a palace of ill repute.”
Pamela turned around and started walking once more, the ghouls were still way too close to Duncan than he would like. He wanted to use his magical energy like he did when he was being eaten alive but he didn’t want Pamela to be caught in the blast too. She was still his wife no matter how she treated him, he couldn’t kill her like that. I don’t know if I could do it if the opportunity did arise, Duncan mused. Even now, he was staring at her ass as she walked, remembering how she looked back then and recalling touching every inch of her body. Pamela glanced back and said, “Is that for me or are my friends here turning you on, sweetheart?”
Duncan put his hands over his aroused member and groaned inwardly. As they came upon a long winding set of stairs the led up, Duncan could barely hear the sound of a lot of muffled voice coming from somewhere. Even now, the words she spoke and Pamela’s voice were mentally affecting him. The bitch is practically mauling and tearing open many of my old scars and there was nothing I can do to prevent it. Pamela seemed to act like she did five years ago, but since then she’d gotten colder and more vicious. As they ascended the stairs, Duncan noticed that the temperature was changing and that it was getting warmer.
“You can fantasize about me all you want, my dear husband, but you will get nothing from me. Not even a peep show.”
“Typical of you, same old bitch. I don’t know why I married you in the first place! Did you ever love me at all?”
Pamela snorted, “Love? There never was any love for you, Duncan. You were so pathetic and easy to play, I figured why not marry you so I could torment you until you had no choice but to leave me. I enjoyed inflicting pain and misery on people and you were my favorite punching bag!” She turned around and walked through the ghoul escorted and grabbed Duncan’s member roughly, “Nothing about you was worth giving my heart away. Hell, even this puny thing here couldn’t satisfy my needs…EVER! Do you know hard it was for me to fake our fucks like I enjoyed them? Or how often I had to keep from laughing at you as tried to fuck me with this little pecker? There’s nothing about you that you could ever do to make me ever love you, Duncan Morgan!”
Duncan’s eyes wailed up with tears but he held them back as he retorted with a smirk, “Maybe so, but that didn’t prevent you from coming here and grabbing it now did it? I guess you miss it after all and you gave me something better than a peep show too!”
Pamela released his member in disgust but then she balled her fist up and nailed him in the balls. Duncan dropped to his knees, groaning in pain but he still refused to cry, not wanting to give her the satisfaction or any pleasure of seeing it. Pamela grabbed Duncan by his hair and yanked him to his feet as she snarled, “Was that what your fantasy needed? A good swift punch in the balls? I know I enjoyed it a lot, I just hope it was good for you as well babe. Not long from now, you will be begging and pleading for me to end your life and guess what?” She got within inches of Duncan’s face and coldly mocked, “You’re still my favorite punching bag and I will be damned if I’m going to let you go so quickly, because I love you soooooo much!”
Duncan didn’t look at her, only looking either down at the floor or at the ghouls. Pamela forcefully let go of his hair and stomped away to the front of the escort. She got to the top of the stairs and shoved open a large wooden door. The bright light of the sun blinded Duncan momentarily but he kept moving. As he stepped through the doorway, Duncan used his hand to shield his eyes but as they adjusted to the light he noticed that there were thousands of people filling up the courtyard. Duncan gulped as he walked on the hot ground that was made of gold while those who saw him jeered, hissed, and spat on him.
For the first time in his life, Duncan now knew what it felt like to be public enemy number one. Even though they were outside, the sound of the raucous, blood thirsty followers of Sorath’s was deafening and painful. The escort of ghouls acted as a security detail as well as an escort, shoving and blocking the throngs of people that had one thing on their mind: kill Duncan. Pamela looked back at Duncan with a malicious gaze as she shouted, “Look sweetheart, they’re your biggest fans! Don’t disappoint them like you’ve disappointed me for so many years!”
Duncan noted that there was a large mound that they were walking towards, it too was created from gold. Was everything in this place made from gold, Duncan wondered, and if so where did it all come from? From on top of the walls, Duncan saw movement that for some reason caught his attention. There were children on the wall, scrubbing and cleaning it. It infuriated him because they were made to be slaves to this demented angel plus those walls had to be a good two hundred feet tall and if one fell, Duncan was sure they wouldn’t be mourned nor missed. Probably the one that died here were given to these damn Chouls, Duncan thought as he scowled at them, wishing that he had his sword. If he did have it, Duncan felt confident that he could put a dent in the ghoul population before he got overwhelmed. But then he would have to contend with the living people, like Pamela.
As they walked up the mound, Duncan saw that the gold mound had no seams or any creases from where it would show that it had been molded. It was as if it was a natural formation, like it grew up from the ground. Maybe that’s how Sorath crafted his palace, summoning the gold from the Earth itself and sculpted it to his liking. Duncan saw that there was a man running around like a televangelist stirring up the crowd of onlookers. He was wearing a uniform, like a guard would from a different time period and then he saw Duncan coming up on the golden mound and he shouted, “Finally! The murderous heathen has arrived for his punishment!”
The crowd erupted into a feverish pitch of boos and hisses while shaking their fists at Duncan. He felt sick to his stomach and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It felt like he was going utterly insane. It was like a scene from a movie where the main character is brought before a crowd to be hanged for whatever his crimes were, but Duncan didn’t think he would get off that easily. Pamela walked over and gave the man a passionate kiss on his lips and then she mockingly glanced at Duncan.
“My decent into madness is complete.” Duncan muttered gloomily.
The crowd did a one-eighty and roared into cheers as the atmosphere of the central courtyard was electrified and buzzed as Sorath came out of nowhere. Duncan suspected that he flew in and disguised his flight for show to his followers because there were no doors of any kind that he could see from his vantage point. Nothing more than a fraud with an ego the size of the universe, Duncan sneered as he looked at the fallen angel wearing his guise of Jesus. He waved and smiled at his followers, enjoying being the center of attention and eating up their praise and worship. Pamela crooked her finger, beckoning the ghoul escort to bring Duncan to the center of the gold mound. Duncan cringed as the icy cold hands of the ghouls touched his back to push him forward. Duncan edged forward as Jesus gazed upon him for the first time since he threw him into his cell.
Jesus gave a dismissive wave, “Thank you for bringing the criminal before us all, you may go.”
As one, the ghouls nodded, turned around and shambled away off the gold mound leaving Duncan fully exposed to the glares and hate of Sorath’s followers so he put his hands behind his back and jutted his chin out defiantly. Jesus turned to Pamela with a loving smile and asked, “My child is there a particular reason you had the criminal disrobed?”
“Yes, with them on he would feel safe but without them, we will see that he’s not a monster to fear. Only a mere mortal who is timid and weak, plus we will get to watch him bleed easier this way, my lord.” Duncan closed his eyes and could believe the words that were spewing out of his wife’s mouth. She was more sadistic and cruel than he remembered and now Pamela was next to him, looking him up and down before she grabbed Duncan by his hair and screamed, “WE SHALL ALL SEE THIS EVIL MAN BLEED AND PAY FOR HIS WICKEDNESS AGAINST OUR PEOPLE!”
The crowd roared to life once more and it made Duncan worry that they may rush up at him and tear him apart like a huge pack of jackals on a wounded lamb. Panic set in as he looked everywhere for an escape route but there were no clear paths and Duncan decided that he might get ripped apart if he dared an attempt. Jesus looked over at Duncan and then at Pamela and said, “Be a dear and fetch the irons, I don’t want this one bound in ropes.”
“With pleasure, my lord!” Pamela shouted with excitement as she nodded and ran off the gold mound. As the crowd parted the way for Pamela, Duncan saw her open a small hatch on the ground and disappear into so he thought to himself, what the hell, and ran towards it. As much as he was sweating, he figured it would be difficult for people to get a good hold on his bare skin. Jesus laughed as he called out to Duncan merrily, “Only the guilty try to run and hide from their judgment, Duncan Morgan! There will be no escape for you today. Do fetch him back for me, my children!”
Duncan felt hands all around him grasping at him as he ran for his life to the open hatch. He was within feet of it and then he stumbled over someone’s leg and landed at the opening. Duncan grunted in pain but as he looked into the hatchway, he saw Pamela staring up at him. She patted his cheek and purred, “Naughty, naughty boy! I think I shall punish you and trust me, you won’t enjoy it as much as I will my love.”
Duncan felt hands roughly grabbed his ankles and legs as they pulled him back slowly to the gold mound. He felt people spitting on him and plenty of them took the opportunity to kick him in the ribs and stomp on his hand and arms as he went by. Duncan barely caught a glimpse of Pamela as she rose up from the hatchway before he got dragged up a small incline, the hot golden pavement was starting to burn away at his skin. Several more people leaned in and pulled Duncan up and held him steady so a smug looking lady punched him several times in the gut. When the woman finish, she spit in his face and then Duncan was ushered towards Jesus. Duncan saw that Pamela stood a few feet to Jesus’s left and in between the two of them now stood a golden frame.
It glimmered in the sunlight and it answered what Duncan suspected about this palace, Sorath was somehow manipulating the gold that ran deep in the Earth and crafting to meet his needs. In the center of the frame was a set old rusty iron chains with a pair of thick shackles that had glowing sigils etched into them. Jesus smiled as Duncan approached and said, “Secure the prisoner. I can’t pass judgment on him if he’s not around now can I?”
They pushed Duncan under the golden frame and held his arms up while Pamela snapped the shackles around his wrists. She caressed Duncan’s ass and purred in his ear, “Being tied down suits you. It’s something you can’t fuck up but I’m sure you will find a way. You always do.”
“Fuck off, Pamela! At least I haven’t been brainwashed by some damn fallen angel like yourself. Can’t you he’s not Jesus? He’s – OOF!”
Pamela slugged him in his gut and was about to throw another punch when Jesus spoke up, “That’s enough! I must judge him and then when he is found guilty, you may lead the punishment on him.” He looked at the others on the mound that were glaring at Duncan, “Clear the judging grounds, everyone!” All of his devoted followers scattered and melded with the rest of the crowd while Pamela made her way to a medium size wooden box at the base of the gold mound. Jesus looked into Duncan’s eyes and spoke to him telepathically, “This is only a formality. You will be punished and put to death for your crimes against me and my people. I know you can use magic so that’s why I had your lovely wife place you in these special restraints. They will cut you off from all your magical abilities so no matter what you try, know it will fail.”
Duncan lunged at Jesus but was held fast by the chains. Jesus chuckled as he stepped away to speak with all of his followers. He held his arms up high and waved his hands so everyone would go silent. Jesus magnified his voice with his angelic magic as he spoke, “My friends, we are gathered here today because of a terrible tragedy has occurred. A tragedy that has caused me a great deal of pain and suffering. We have lost a great deal of our fallen warriors as well as a good man by the name of Sully. They all lost their lives doing what they had a passion for in life. They were all cut down by this mortal that stand before us all.”
The crowd hissed and hurled insults at Duncan but all he could do was look down at his feet, trying to tune everyone out, including Sorath. Is it possible to die from a pompous speech, Duncan mused, as he recalled having the same thought every few years when politicians would get on the air waves to promise change but all they did was blow smoke from their elected asses? Duncan never wanted to take the chance so he turned off the television but now he was stuck here, listening to the ass smoke spewing from a fucking angel who was playing judge, jury, and executioner.
“His name is Duncan Morgan and he has not denied any of these crimes were committed by his hand, in fact he seem to enjoy bolstering about it to me. Now that he is here, he will confess to you and show his true colors to all of you so that you will all know that THIS” Jesus pointed dramatically at Duncan, “is what you all are here for and have been training daily to fight against. He is the epitome of what the heretics and sinners have become since I had you brought here to be cleansed and made perfect. Duncan Morgan do you deny that you have murdered our fallen warriors as well as their handler Sully?”
Duncan remained silent and didn’t acknowledge Jesus with only infuriated him, but none of his followers could tell from the guise he wore. Jesus strolled up to Duncan and yanked his head up by his hair.
“What the fuck is it with you assholes and yanking my fucking hair all the damn time?” Duncan snarled, which shocked most of the crowd but it didn’t faze Jesus.
“Speak the truth now Duncan Morgan, for it will set you free. Answer the question.”
Duncan snorted – “Speak the truth, you say? What a wonderful concept that is. Care to go first and demonstrate what it’s like to tell the truth? Trust me, you’re the biggest liar and hypocrite of us all…”Jesus”! Why not show them your true form?”
Several men bolted up on the gold mound with clubs in hand to beat Duncan but Jesus put a hand up and said, “You are not allow up here during judgment. Do control yourselves until after the trial then you may help punish this guilty man.”
“But lord, we can’t stand by while he insults your good name!” one of the men pleaded, “Can’t we soften him so he will talk truth easier for you?”
“NO!” Jesus bellowed, “Leave now or be the next to stand in his place!”
“Trouble in paradise?” Duncan asked with amusement.
The men cowered back down into the crown like scared children. Other onlookers went mute and became more subdued, not wanting to anger the Messiah and incur his wrath. Jesus turned around and surveyed his flock, checking to see if everyone was being obedient sheep. Once he was satisfied that they had all been pacified, Jesus locked his gaze on Duncan and repeated, “Speak the truth now Duncan Morgan for it will set you free and answer the question.”
“In the end, does it really matter what I say? You plan on killing me anyways so why the big show for your little puppets?”
“It matters not, but I believe it would be in your best interest to confess and tell me and my followers about all your sins against us.”
“Fine.” Duncan rolled his eyes as he huffed, “Yes I killed many of your Chouls including the slimy scumbag Sully for murdering a lot of innocent men, women, and children who did nothing to anyone. Good people who went about living in harmony and peace, helping all those who came to our little village. I guess kindness is seen as a weakness to you dumbasses but we who live beyond your walls struggle to survive every day in hopes of seeing the next day. Many don’t have the luxuries you have and many haven’t got a roof over their heads and starve because of the evil this fucking angel brought down on this world. Have any of you ever been bitten by your undead buddies?” He glared and saw no one answered, “No? Well I have and was nearly eaten alive but I managed to slay them all despite the many bites I sustained just a few weeks ago!”
Jesus examined Duncan’s body from a far and noted that he had no injuries of any kind. Was he lying about the attacks on him? Duncan had to be because no mortal could heal that fast nor would he have survived. Someone in the crowd yelled out, “You look fine, I see no bites anywhere! You are nothing more than a liar and a murderer!”
“I heal quickly, you Dinky-Di douchebag!” Duncan looked at Jesus and spat out, “Now, can we get this over with. I have places to go and Chouls to behead.”
Jesus turned away from Duncan with a smile. He raised his arms in the air and cheerfully bolstered, “You see, this man has confessed to you all of his wrong doing to our people! It’s time for the world to realize that no sinner is better than us nor can they slay any of my flock without retribution. Duncan Morgan, you are found to be guilty of your crimes against me as well as my flock and are hereby sentenced to death. Do you have any requests before we start your cleansing process?”
“Yeah reveal your true form or is that too much of request for you to accomplish?” Duncan spat, wishing he had some water. He doubted any would be provided so why ask for it. Better to die a jackass than a mindless coward like all these people. Duncan wanted nothing more than to be far away from this place, somewhere peaceful and quiet like Melona. I never asked for this life, he thought, and I sure as hell didn’t set out to kill fallen angels either but what’s done is done.
Jesus mentally spoke to Duncan, “That’s a request that shall never be fulfilled. I hope you enjoy the cleansing, it will last as long as it needs to Duncan.”
“Let the cleansing process begin!” Jesus joyfully cried out, “Pamela, if you would care to start it off.”
“With pleasure, my lord!” Pamela purred as she stalked up behind Duncan. She caressed his back as she whispered and licked his earlobe, “Time to pay the piper, my love. Just remember, you brought all of this down on yourself. No one is to blame except you!”
“Shut up and get started, Pamela!” Duncan snarled as he glared at Jesus, “Is everyone here all talk and no action?”
Duncan heard Pamela giggling as she backed away from him. The sound of a heavy whip cracked several times behind him and each on made Duncan involuntarily flinch. Sweat dripped down Duncan’s face as she kept cracking the whip behind him, his anxiety rising with the anticipation of her first strike. There was the sound of air whizzing behind him and then searing pain as the heavy whip made contact across Duncan’s back.
“Oh, I bet that had to have stung.” Pamela mocked as she reared back for another strike, “Here, let me add to it some more. You know what, I think I will play Tic-Tac-Toe on your back…well, the best I can since you will more than likely squirm and ruin everything!”
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Duncan gritted his teeth to the point that his molars were cracking as hot liquid dripped down below his feet. He could feel the magic within him building up once again, but with the enchanted shackles locked on his wrists, it didn’t come roaring to the forefront like it did weeks ago with the ghouls. Each time it got stronger, Duncan concentrated and tried to will it forward but then another slash on his mutilated back undid it all for him. Pamela strutted around to where Duncan could see her grinning from ear to ear.
“I can’t leave your front untouched now can I, love?” Pamela cackled as she reared back and swung the whip with a sidearm motion, sending it across Duncan’s thighs. Duncan felt his legs give way and the only thing that kept him upright was his restraints as they cut into his flesh under his own weight. Pamela seemed proud of herself so she unleashed several more hits along Duncan’s chest and abdomen. Duncan cried out in pain as tears streamed down his face. He snarled, “Fucking bitch! Let’s trade places and I will – AARRRGH!”
Another crack of the whip hit Duncan in the mouth at an angle, splitting his lips deep and causing the area to swell up.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t quite catch that. Hmm, maybe next time you will show this whip master some respect.”
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The pain was becoming too intense for Duncan that he felt like he was going to black out from it. Pamela reared back for another lashing when Jesus said, “That is enough for the moment, my child.”
She pouted – “But my lord, can’t I give my husband one more? I know exactly where I want to strike him, as a going away gift from me to him.”
Jesus mulled it over for a moment and then said cheerfully, “Of course you can! Since this is your husband after all, give him one that he will always remember!” Pamela beamed as she called out, “I need him standing up right! You two, make it happen now!”
Several men rushed up from the crowd and eagerly obeyed Pamela’s orders. Despite the scorching heat, Duncan was shivering and his split lips were quivering from the pain. He felt rough hand grasp his arms and hoist him up to a standing position. Pamela motioned to the men, “Spread his leg to look like that old Da Vinci picture. He will stand better that way.”
The men kicked at Duncan’s bloody legs and spread them apart. Duncan knew she loved art and that this image that she spoke of was her favorite for whatever reason. Now he was being used to recreate an ancient depiction of how Man moved or something of that nature, Duncan didn’t pay much attention to the image. Duncan just wanted them to hurry up and kill him but Pamela only stood there eyeballing him as her grip on the heavy, blood-soak whip tighten. Once Duncan was positioned to her liking, one of the men yanked Duncan’s head up by his blood caked hair and mad him watch. Pamela took a couple of steps forward as she wound up the whip for her final strike and said, “This one is my gift to you Duncan Morgan for all the years we have been a part. I know it must have been difficult on you to be away from me so long and since you say there have been no others in your life, let me give you a proper release!”
CRACK!
Duncan’s eyes shot open wide as he shrieked louder than a banshee as the whip snapped across his sack, leaving a nasty bloody cut. The men holding him up laughed and cringed at the same time. The rest of the crowd cheered and applauded as Pamela took several bows. She walked over and kissed Duncan and bit his split lip, “I so love you Duncan!” and then she walked away. Jesus clapped his hand and let his voice boom once more, “Well done Pamela! A fitting parting gift for your soon to be late husband! Now that he’s been warmed up, it is time for the second phase of his punishment. It’s time for a stoning so grab your rocks and let them fly at this evil fend!”
Duncan did his best to move away from the small projectiles coming at him, but no matter which way he jerked, the rocks hit him. His body was being pelted from all directions and he could feel some of his bones cracking from the impacts. The rocks varied in both size and texture, either smooth or jagged, and each one hurt worse than the last one throw that he could remember as a solid smooth rock struck Duncan on the side of his bloodied face. His head lolled around and for some reason, he could have sworn he saw two figures in a balcony watching everything and they looked familiar. All he saw after that one was rocks bouncing off his body and in the bloody pool at his feet before darkness enveloped his world.