Burn Bright

After a few hours the burning started to subside, but the mental damages the potion did to Mikey was severe. He had hallucinations of the people he loved dying, burning alive, just like he was. He saw his parents, their bodies mutilated, their eyes staring lifelessly up at him. Mikey heard his brother’s harsh words as he banished him, over and over again; until Mikey believed it. He was a disgrace. He deserved to die.

Mikey didn't lift his head when he heard Marcus enter the tent, Mikey continued to stare at his feet. He could feel himself shaking, out of both fear and the stress his body has been through. He heard Marcus cluck his tongue, “Oh Michael…you look absolutely terrible.” Mikey felt Marcus’ warm breath against his ear, “If you tell me what I want to know…I can end all of it for you. I promise that your death will be swift, you will feel no more pain…this is my bargain to you.”

For the first time since Mikey had been captured he didn't shake his head, or come up with a sarcastic comment. He was silent, he felt tears sting his eyes, he wanted to feel death’s warm embrace, but he couldn't betray his tribe. Even though he had been banished, he simply couldn't do that to his people. “I-I c-can't.” Mikey muttered, his voice so quiet that Marcus almost didn't hear it.

Marcus grabbed Mikey's chin roughly and forced him to face him, Mikey winced, “Come now Michael….I am offering you a way out of this misery we call life. You will fade away peacefully, and go to wherever you believe it is you go to in the afterlife.” Mikey simply shook his head, he felt his heart sink as Marcus threw his head to the side. Mikey let his head fall again, too weak to lift it, he could hear the clinking of metal.

He was confused until he heard Marcus whisper in his ear, “Then you will suffer.” Suddenly he felt an intense pain on his back as Marcus branded him with red hot iron. Mikey’s screams echoed throughout the the small village, Marcus left the brand on for a few seconds before pulling away. Marcus smiled at the symbol of his people, melted into the flesh of Mikey's back.

*******

Bandit felt like she had been flying for days, she could see Gerard and Ryan walking side by side, fifty feet below her. She wished she could enjoy the freedom of the wind rushing through her feathers, of the vast forest that lie before her. However right this moment that forest scared her, Mikey could be anywhere, hidden among the thick branches of the trees. She had expected to see some sign of the warlocks by now; a puff of smoke from their fires, or warlock children playing in the woods as she had done so many times. But there was absolutely nothing. Not a single sign of the warlocks.

Gerard howled below her, taking her away from her thoughts. She dived and changed before she hit the ground, both Ryan and Gerard had already morphed. “What is it Dad?” Bandit asked. Gerard kneeled down and pointed to small drops of blood on the ground, Bandit pulled her eyebrows down in confusion.

“This is Mikey's…I could smell it. This must have been where they took him. Look,” Gerard pointed to the small remains of a fire, “He must've set up camp and they ambushed him. I'll change back to a wolf and try to follow his scent, hopefully this trail will lead us straight to him. Bandit do not change until I tell you too…once we get there you can scout out the camp. But right now, we do not want to attract any attention. It'll be miracle if we pull this off to begin with.”

Bandit nodded that she understood, Gerard changed back and started to sniff the ground. Ryan and Bandit followed the black wolf as he led them through the forest.

*******

Mikey coughed up another mouthful of blood as Marcus’ fist made contact with his abdomen. Marcus pushed his hair out of his face and took a step back to look at his work. Mikey was slumped against one of the wooden poles, the only thing keeping him up was the fact that his hands were still bound. Mikey's nose and a new cut on his lip were bleeding, and one of his eyes was almost swollen shut. His chest was covered in multiple bruises, shallow cuts, and burns. He could hear that Mikey was wheezing every time he drew in a breath. Marcus took a couple deep breaths before speaking, “Michael…just tell me where the tribe is. I will still continue my offer of making your death swift, I'll end all your pain Michael. Just tell me what I want to know.”

Marcus’ voice sounded muffled in Mikey's ears, he could barely see out of his one good eye. He knew if this assault lasted much longer he would die anyway, and the location of the tribe would die with him. Mikey mutter an answer but it was so jumbled that Marcus could not understand him, he leaned in closer to hear, “Bite…me.” Mikey repeated, Marcus shook his head, completely bewildered by the younger man’s dedication.

“Your loyalty to your people is quite impressive Michael. You are an idiot…but a loyal idiot.” Marcus grabbed Mikey's hair and wrenched his head up, making Mikey look up at him, “I can see that I will get nothing out of you, so I suppose the next thing to do is kill you.” Mikey's heart skipped a beat, “But how shall I dispose of a rat such as yourself?”

Mikey waited for a knife to pierce his heart, or slit his throat. He waited for his neck to be broken or Marcus’ hands to cut off his air supply. However Marcus did nothing like that, instead he smiled, “I know of a potion, it slowly turns a man into stone. They say you can feel all your bones and organs harden, the last things that change are your mind and your heart; you feel everything. And after we figure out where your tribe is, I will personally see that you are delivered to them. So that all your people see what we are capable of.” Marcus sneered and let go of Mikey's hair. He left the room to go prepare the potion.

Mikey’s head fell against his chest, his whole body ached. The burn on his back was so severe that any movement whatsoever caused excruciating pain, his head pounded and he could barely breathe. He wished that he could die before Marcus returned, that Marcus wouldn't have the satisfaction of torturing him anymore. His last act of freedom.

Notes

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