23 The Dungeons. (Chapter 22)

"look guys I didn't kill anyone-"they punched me repeatedly in the stomach relentlessly until I heard my bones crack. Throwing me on the floor they grabbed my hair, jerking my head backwards so I would look them in their eyes.

"Are you gonna speak again prince prick?" They spit.

"Go to hell." They stomp hard multiple times on my back knocking all life out of me. I spit seeing blood. They pick me up throw me back down. I grunt in extreme pain from the impact. They were relentless in the beatings. They drag me down 6 flights of stairs by my arms as I stumble in pain. Maids stop to look at my bloody face and newly bruised eye. They gasp in shock and horror as they drag me further deeper into the castle. People would stop and look as the guards beat me again just to show they have power over me. Dickheads. We go deeper into the darkness. We arrive at the dungeons, it reaked of blood and death, people screams filled the air as pain was the only emotion they were allowed to feel. There was hardly any light. One torch per cell and no windows to tell what time of day it was. It was going to be a long night as noone would know when the day was done and when it began. Once sentenced, you would never see the sun, never be slowed to breathe the fresh air and never walk free. Karina, where is she? All I could think about was her if I was to remain sane. They dragged me to the end cell and removed my shirt from my body. I was thrust in as I heard my body smack down on the floor. I was dizzy but the sound of the gate slam behind me echoed in my head. They guards were laughing as they left me shamed and alone. I could barely see anything. I had enough strength that I mustered the light forces and created a ball of white light. It was a little star that lit up my cell. I stood to examine where I was and if there was any hope for an escape route. The minging cell had one bed, no windows and a bucket in the corner. I now see the walls were painted in blood, black blood. Accompanied by frantic scratchings from previous prisoners. The floor was staring the mold and the air was of rotting flesh. But the sounds were what made me shiver. People screaming, begging , crying for mercy. The echoes of soldiers laughing rang through the dungeon. A woman shrieking for help was close to me. I looked across the most and saw a woman completely naked, curled into a ball as 3 men whipped her, laughing and mocking her. I couldn't ignore her shriek for help anymore.

"HEY LEAVE HER ALONE!" They ignored my protest. I looked around my cell I found a stone, I grabbed it. I threw it hitting one of the men In the head. He winced in pain as I drew blood from his head. He locked eyes with me, like a bull readying his horns. He stroked over to me whip in hand and lashed me continuously over my back. I shouted in pain as he was relentless, merciless. I writhed in pain as he landed lash after lash, my skin peeling off revealing the raw touch of skin.

"Bastard!" Left my lips as he continued lashing. He chuckled in amusement, watching me grunt and falter. The pain was too overwhelming I couldn't think straight. He stopped and the two men left. He soon after looking pleased with his work left me to writhe in his torture. I pushed myself up, wincing in pain as the polluted air hit my gashes. I tried to control my breathing, the pain made me dizzy, but I didn't fumble. I sat on the mingy bed. I then realised they had left me clothes, grey clothes. It then made sense to me that the clothes were as form of torture too. It was because the clothes took away your identity, they no longer allow you to identify with your birthen colors. You to them are now outliers, so grey, is neither white nor black. They strip you, of all sense of belonging. The torture had begun.

"Thank you.." a small voice calls out. "You save me, thank you" she whimpers. I nod and turn around.

"My lord! You are hurt!" She shrieks looking at my many lashes.

"I'm okay." I smile and put on my shirt. I have now become an outlier.

"You saved me" she said "I'm so grateful." She stares at me for a while.

"I know, you are the Prince of Haydren." She curtsys. "My name is Lavria... I was a maid on the castle. One of the guards caught me stealing and they put me here....I couldn't resist. I have been sentenced to 6 months for stealing. It has been around 2 weeks, but it's been an eternity." She says gasping and whimpering. All I can think about is Karina. Where she is, what she could be doing. I pray I may see her again. Once I want to hold her again. A shadow comes upon me, I extinguish my light and see a young guard come and unlock my gate.

"My lord, it's time for your trial."