Shadow Amends

The Finding

The Finding

It hurts!

He squeezed his eyes shut as another electric shock wave traveled down the cable that wrapped around his body and into his shoulders. The pain was excruciating and every now and then his body convulsed and shook, restricted by the shackles that firmly bit into his ankles, wrists and neck. His wings flapped in vain. Nothing could stop the electricity from robbing him of all his precious energy. Soon, the crimson blood which had built up earlier crept to the surface and streamed hotly down his every pore.
Letting out a scream, he lurched his head upwards and touched the cool metal machine that roared behind him. His body weakened rapidly and the violent convulsions were reduced to tiny spasms which erupted irregularly. Until finally, exhausted, the man sagged forward only held up by the evil manacles which were, in turn, attached to the machine itself. Heaving dryly, he watched as his blood fled from his lips and onto the cold, hard floor below. His body no longer shook for fear of losing its last bit of energy, instead, he just moaned and groaned from the pain which had just recently left him.
Just then, a cold draft entered into the room and traveled up his naked form leaving him ice chills and numbing his body. He sighed silently welcoming the temporary relief and then lifted his head slowly. All around him were people just the same. They too were shackled and bound against will. All had leathery wings which withered from the lack of use and torn from the touch of curious hands. He shivered somewhat at the thought of the hands touching his own wings.
Another scream sounded, bolting the man’s head toward another same soul. The electricity had finally reached this boy who was yet young and new to this entire procedure. They can’t live without us, he thought bitterly as he eyed the pained expression that stole the beauty from the boy’s flawless face. They never last long. The man sighed and shook his head trying to forget the horrors of the young ones.
Ears pricked and the man faintly lifted up his head toward the origin of the sound. Someone’s coming. Thrusting his eyes down to the floor, he waited for the visitor to state his business and leave.
“Aye, we ‘ave the best stock.” The familiar voice of Eyonn drifted into his ears followed by an unfamiliar one.
“Well you ‘ad better. For yer sake!”
Two lanterns appeared to be descending from the stairway. The shadows of two figures darkened the passageway until they had reached the bottom. Eyonn smiled broadly and swept his arms out, “These are me best.”
“We shall see to that.” The unfamiliar voice replied and walked closer.
Withdrawing his body from the two figures and pressing it tightly to the machine, the man waited. What are they doing now? As the lanterns closed it he flinched seeing the delicate face of a female. He groaned. Not another! Carefully, she walked about the shackled men muttering either words of appeasement or disappointment. Finally, she came to the man. Using all his will, he forced his eyes to remain on the stone floor. Feeling the warm tiny hand lift his chin up, he avoided eye contact with the woman. She moved his chin from right to left examining him quizzically before turning over Eyonn.
“He seems to ‘ave potential.” She put his chin down and spat on the ground besides him. “How much yer offerin’?”
Eyonn shook his head. “ ‘Fraid that one’s not for sale even fer a night.” He patted his chest and grinned broadly. “He me best and I’ll ‘ave no female touchin’ ‘im. Nah even fer pleasure or git.”
Sighing deeply, the lady nodded and walked to the one the man spied before. She flicked her hand toward him and Eyonn nodded. Smiling, she flicked her wrist and two more figures appeared from the shadows, unshackled the young boy, and dragged him out of the room. Dread filled the man’s mind. Tis not good what will happen to him I’m afraid. He shook his head. Poor thing. He wished desperately that he could do more than just sympathize but the manacles reminded him everyday that he was a prisoner just like them. No, not a prisoner, a resource for their village. The chains fell heavy upon him and he relaxed his body.

● ● ●

A bowl fell at his feet and the shackles were loosened. His body grew a bit excited from the temporary relief of freedom. Rolling his shoulders back, he sat down and heaved a heavy sigh. The chains and shackles still claimed him but the cord had be taken out of his flesh and lay discarded.
Eyonn smiled at his prize. “Better yer eat up than let it go to waste.”


"The visions of the past are made clear with just a soft stroke from the pen" Ash Night