20. Murderous Mayhem Part-1

There was a gradual reduction in the numbness and Sam could feel the air when it touched his pale skin. Even though he wished with utmost sincerity for death, God did not want to fulfil his wish. He was back in the dreadful room with the familiar maniac and a cycle of torture waiting for him.

"I hope you did not die," Haruko whispered as he pulled up Sam's chin.

"No... I did not." Sam answered back with difficulty.

"Then be prepared for the next question." Haruko lilted as he walked towards the lever.

"Okay, the next question is: Where is this person originally from?" He questioned as he stared at Bond and shifted his gaze towards Sam.

Sam had fear looming on his face. He looked at Bond and scrutinised his facial features. He had small half-closed eyes and smooth skin. His appearance suggested he was Asian. However, as per his past experience, seeing could not be believing and he had fair chances of dying.

His feet began to tremble at the sight of those wires wrapped around the chair and the thought of smelling his skin burn was making him nauseous. Apart from Bond standing in a corner of the room, nothing was normal.

Sam mustered up his shattered courage and finally spoke up.

"It is Thailand. This person is Thai." He said in a meek voice.

"I am sorry to say but... your answer... is absolutely correct!" Haruko exclaimed.

"Thank god," Sam mumbled under his breath.

"Good job. Now onto the next question."

"Does Bond have a trauma? If so, what is it?" He asked as he placed his hand on the lever.

"Is it not cheating? You asked one question which is two questions in itself." Sam's face was full of fury.

"Bingo! Since you are smart enough to realise that fact, I must also tell you that the punishment of this task will be double than that of the first two questions!" Haruko exclaimed, tucking his chestnut hair inside his hat.

"This psychotic idiot!" Sam muttered.

"Call me whatever you like," Haruko replied. "You have only ten seconds to answer this."

Sam began to scrutinize Bond once again. He looked at his frail body, which showed the only food he ate was three days ago. Apart from that, the hood of his hoodie was down and he could see the bruises on his neck clearly. For some reason, those bruises looked fresh as ever.

"I think the answer would be yes. He was physically abused." Sam yelled in a blink of an eye.

"Are you sure about this?" Haruko questioned him.

"Yeah. I am sure."

"Well then, get ready for it," Haruko warned as he walked towards the lever.

Sam's eyes had reduced to slits by now. The countless tears that the pain had brought along had made him almost blind. He saw Haruko walk towards the lever, but had lost all energy to speak up or even question the action. Countless butterflies were scrambling inside his stomach, which had now become blood-sucking moths devouring him from inside. All he could do was hope for the best.

"I am sorry to say Sam, but your answer was wrong."

All his hope shattered right in front of his own eyes, beyond repair.

At this point, Sam thought it was best to accept his fate. If he was electrocuted at this point, his flesh would burn into ash. Besides, the pain of the charges running through your body as it rips every fibre of muscle can be exhilarating to some, but to him it was terrifying. Alas, all he could do was wish that he escapes his execution.

Yet, the terror loomed his mind.

'Can I escape this?'

'Will I be able to survive?'

'Moreover, will Bond also be punished?'

These were the questions driving his thought process.

Haruko pulled the lever down and an electric impulse ran throughout Sam's body, causing him to pass out there and then. Haruko lifted the lever and pulled it down once again, but nothing happened. It seemed like Sam's prayers were finally answered.

"God damn it! This machine sucks!" Haruko kicked the machine with his foot.

"Serves you right." Bond said with his lips curved into a visible smirk.

He ripped off the patch from his wrist and pushed the wires trapping him aside, along with kicking the monitor on the floor to vent out his frustration.

After which, he rushed straight towards Sam and ripped off the patch from his wrist. He bundled up the wires clustered around him like a cobweb and threw it aside. He picked up the lifeless body and walked towards the exit when Haruko asked him to stop.

"What do you need now?!" Bond yelled at him.

"Don't leave the pavillion, please." Haruko walked towards him at a slow pace.

"We are leaving this place and this school too."

"In that case, you are free to do it as long as you can do it."

"What do you mean?" Bond questioned as he looked around himself.

"The thing is my dear, that you all have signed up for your own destruction. You can't leave this school. Forget that, you can't leave the dorm itself." Haruko said as he gained back his vigour.

'What in the world is this?!'