He Sent Me
They wheeled Matthias into the dark room again. He didn't know how often he'd gone through this, but they'd devised a system. Fingers first, grab one, then yank it back until it breaks. Then cuts on the forearms. They voted on which arm to destroy, and he'd scream. Oops, too loud; gagged with a piss-soaked rag. Next were his knees. He could never look at that part; his bone would be sticking out. He closed his eyes and braced for the pain. It never came. He heard a crash, and the crowd screamed and ran. He just waited, slowly opening one eye at a time, watching the demons run out of the tent. Something told him not to move, just stay put; they'll probably come back. Matthias didn't want to get into any more trouble. The tent was empty. He heard gunshots, people running and screaming, loud crashes, and the smell of smoke. Slowly footsteps entered the tent. They paused, then came towards him.