Chapter 3: Downfall

Another round of whips stung his backside and hot tears began to fall freely from his cheeks. He felt his confidence of escaping growing weaker and weaker and he felt utterly dead. His family hadn't rescued him yet.. what was taking so long?

He didn't have time to ponder it, when another slash burned his spine. He clenched his teeth and held onto himself desperately, trying to at least protect himself from the wave of pain.

"Would you like to back talk again? Huh, Tennyson?" The guard asked with a chuckle, whipping him hard for emphasis. "Go ahead try. I'm ready."

Ben just ignored the man's threats and focused on himself.

The beatings had began to get more frequent and frequent, probably because of him back talking every guard he saw. He always shot smart remarks at them and they rushed to him, beating the life out of him. He had gotten used to it for a while.. but unfortunately it wasn't long enough.

It would take weeks to recover from incidents like this.. but he would never actually have an opportunity to heal, since he would talk back again in a matter of days. It had been like this for weeks..

He had been getting sad glances in his direction, some saying it wasn't worth it, and some saying please just rethink what you're doing. But he always ignored them and continued on with his strategy.

Ben's fists tightened as the last round finished and the guard huffed, "You're no more fun. Don't worry, I'll be here tomorrow, waiting for you."

The door shut behind him but Ben didn't bother to check and see if he was gone. He didn't have the energy anyway. It had been depleted when he had been screaming his throat out during his beating. He couldn't even think about what he had done to deserve this..

And he wasn't even sure why he kept on doing it. It wasn't like he was going to get healed by doing this. This was one of the things the ship refused to help in. Heal prisoners whom tried to talk back.

And the direction he was taking by doing that was making his condition worse and worse. He wasn't sure if he could keep up with this anymore. But he always fought back; maybe it was cause he was Ben Tennyson, who didn't bow down to any force in the universe no matter what the situation or probably it was the last thing keeping him sane from being trapped here.

He felt tears fall down his cheeks and he found the energy to wipe them away. The prisoners didn't need to see him crying over a petty beating..

His hands clenched his hair tightly when he began to feel the effects of throbbing all over his body. Hissing in pain, his eyes tightened and he felt himself shake uncontrollably.

Not again.

The seizures.. they had began happening frequently after his first couple of beatings.. he wasn't even sure how long he had been trapped here anymore. He had lost most of his sanity, most of his time spent here was sleeping.

He felt his muscles throb painfully and he just laid there, taking it all. He felt himself choke on his breaths and began to feel light-headed.

And the funny thing about this was that he had gone through the same procedure everyday; he had thought he would get used to this.. unfortunately not. He couldn't stand the seizures anymore.. he swore he had a concussion by Day 2.

And finally it ended. He felt himself relax and soften, the pain vanishing as if it hadn't happened.

His breathing turned regular and he felt himself take a strong breath of air.

'Day whatever finished.. now onto the next day,' he thought with sadness.

"What's wrong with him?" Max asked.

Rook shrugged with agitation printed on his face, "I do not know! I was training with him and he just fainted out of nowhere. I called the medics as soon as I could. Could it have to do with the ship?"

"Impossible. We took it down. The only thing he should be feeling is something in his body from an after effect of the ship," He summed up with a frown. He tapped his chin with worry, "But what would he be feeling?"

"Maybe he has injured a part of his body?" He suggested.

Max shook his head, "I don't think so. That would of picked up on the bio-scans. Maybe it's something in his system.."

"Or it could be a previous concussion coming back," Driba interrupted along side with Blukic.

"Or a new concussion forming."

"Is not!"

"Is too!" They argued.

Rook's face dropped, "I suggest you two stop arguing. What can you tell us about it?"

Driba glanced over to his friend and frowned, turning back to Rook, "It's a previous concussion from where he was kidnapped. It actually isn't a new concussion, just one that hasn't fully healed. We've scanned his brain and found many hits to the skull, which are severely cracked in some areas. He's reacting like this because once again he's been hit or shaken violently that's started the injury again."

"What should we do?" Max asked.

"Nothing. We just need Ben to rest before we do anything drastic. I suggest we try surgery later on to fix his skull. There are many fractures that are troublesome to his health," He answered back.

"Very well then. Where is he now?" Rook glanced over to the Galvins.

"In the infirmary. He should be awake in a couple hours."

"Thank you both," Max smiled thankfully and turned to the Revonnahgander. "You go back to training. Afterwards you can visit him. Understood?"

"Understood sir."

Rook's motionless body walked down the hallway, towards the previous training center he was literally in 20 minutes ago with Ben. He felt stupid; how could he not think of Ben getting hurt at such a fragile stage of development.

He should have taken Ben's wheezing as a sign.. but no! He had just continued to allow the boy to shoot around with a weapon, as if everything was fine. It was thanks to him that Ben was hurt..

He spent the time alone in a private area to shoot. He still sensed many people pass behind him, glancing with worry at how exact Rook aimed at the targets. He never missed. He never shot anywhere other than the middle of the target's head. He always shot right through them. His eyes never left the targets.

"Rook?"

He paused and glanced over his shoulder at his fellow Plumber. He had nearly forgotten his friend's name, partially being so entranced in the targets and thoughts.

"Hello Adam. What do you need?"

"Nothing.. I was just wondering about you. You don't look well. I suggest you rest," He said cautiously, as if the Revonnahgander would break in an instant.

He frowned and clenched his Proto-Tool tightly. "I do not need to rest. I am perfectly fine. Now if you would leave me be, I would like to get back to my training."

This time a hand was placed on his weapon and was forcibly pushed back. "I don't want to fight you Rook. But if I have too, I will. Now I suggest you stop or I'll do something rash."

"Do not touch me," He hissed aiming his Proto-Tool at the Plumber.

Adam backed up, tripping on his foot and falling onto his butt. He put up his hands in defense, "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me. Now leave me alone."

"Not until you explain what's wrong!" He argued, jumping from his spot and behind his back. He kicked his legs and pinned him down as soon as he saw Rook had fallen. "What has gotten you like this?"

"Leave me alone!"

"Enough!"

Rook felt the hands wrapped around his wrists disappear and he got to his feet, dusting himself off with anger. When he looked up, he found Magister Tennyson in fury. "Rook a word. And Adam, I don't want you to do that again. Understand?"

"Yes sir," Adam mumbled and turned away, giving one last angered glance in his direction.

"What was that about?" Max asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Nothing," Rook turned away, making a move to depart.

A fat hand grabbed his shoulder and forced him to look back. "Don't you nothing me. This isn't you. If you don't tell me right now, we're going to have a serious problem."

He crossed his arms, "It's about Ben."

"What about him?" Max furthered.

He sighed, "I was the one that caused him to get hurt. We were training and I allowed him to wield a weapon to shoot a couple targets. I should have discontinued training right after that first blast. Ben began wheezing after every shot he took. The blaster was too strong for him to handle and repeatedly hit him in the chest. I apologize for my reckless behavior."

"Rook, it's alright."

He glanced over at him, "Magister, I respect you with all my knowledge but I do not believe you. It was my fault; I allowed Ben to continue to get hurt."

"It's not like you knew about it. It's been a long couple a years without Ben. We've just got to get used to this Ben before he returns to normal. Just give him time. He'll be alright soon enough," Max promised softly, patting his back, "You'll get your old partner back. I promise."

"I just wish everything would return to normal," Rook sighed sadly. "I miss just 'hanging out' with my partner."

"Give him time. Just give him time to rest up and heal back into a hero. He'll be back to normal eventually," He promised with an encouraging smile.

"I wish I could believe you. But what happened in that ship greatly traumatized him. He will not be the same.. not after those 2 years of isolation," The Revonnahgander mumbled before turning back to his Proto-Tool which had fallen during his fight with Adam. He began to aim at the targets when a hand came down on the base of his gun.

"Rook, I promise you, you'll get Ben back to normal. You've just got to help him adjust back into our Ben okay? He trusts you and I know you believe in him. Just do your best and help him out or he'll stay like that forever," Max finished and removed his hand. "I'll leave you to your training. By the way, Ben's been moved to a medical room in our infirmary. He'll be under watch.. And the doctors told me he'll be alright."

He didn't answer him and began to shoot, trying to drown all his thoughts with the ringing of his Proto-Tool. He wanted to forget what he had failed to stop. He wasn't able to protect his own partners those two years ago. He had failed the Plumbers, himself and most importantly, Ben.

He shot the targets with crazy accuracy, shooting each directly in the forehead, never faltering once.

It was until most of the Plumbers started to leave, did he notice that he had enough for today. Packing up his Proto-Tool, he strolled out of the door and into the hallway. It was empty for the most part, which relieved Rook; he didn't want to talk to anyone on his way to the medic center.

When he entered the bay, he smelled the rotten scent of sterilizers and sweat. The center was filled with people, mostly because they got people from far away missions who were sent to do something somewhere else. Plumbers came in more than they departed, many injuries being deadly.

But he found Ben's room quickly, mostly because his name was printed on a board with a black marker. He knocked softly before entering.

The first thing he noticed was the darkness filling the room. There was a small light on the wall but it wasn't strong enough for him to fully see everything. He could see a dark shape on the bed, which was breathing at a steady rate. On further inspection, it was the face of his partner, who clearly had ice wrapped around his head and many bandages holding it in place. He looked perfectly fine, if it wasn't for that.

Rook sighed in relief that it wasn't much worse and sat down on a nearby chair, pulling it closer to his injured friend. For the longest time, he studied Ben with sadness but with relief. Ben was going to be alright for now.. maybe Max was right after all.

"Blonko?" He turned to be met with a nurse. He shook himself from his heavy daze and rubbed his eye, "Visiting hours are over. Go to your room and get some sleep."

Not wanting to leave his partner alone for the night, he shook his head, "Would it be alright if I stayed here? I would like to talk to Ben when he wakes up."

She frowned for a second before she noticed Rook's sincere expression. She knew what had occurred years ago and she was aware of his recent arrival to the facility. He was completely trustworthy, which he had shown everyone those last couple of years. Maybe she could let this slide once..

"Fine," She sighed but eyed Ben, "But I don't want anyone else in here. I'll cover for you."

"Thank you," He smiled gratefully and went back to staring at Ben's sleeping form.

The nurse stared at the scene with aspiration. Maybe something good would come out of this eventually.. they just need the right push in the right direction. She slipped out of the room and softly closed the door on her way out.

Darkness was the only thing he could see as Ben regained his senses. His body was groggy and his head pounded in pain. He lifted himself up and rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his vision successfully.

The first thing he noticed was a large blue lump on the corner of his bedside. By the shape and color, he easily identified it as Rook, who appeared in a deep sleep. The clock read 6:17 am so that gave him the chance to try and sit up against the pillows supporting his head. He groaned and touched his head gingerly, hissing at the pain jolting through his system.

"Ben?" A voice whispered.

He glanced down at Rook's awakening eyes and he grinned, "Hey dude. Wuddup?"

"Do not 'wuddup' me. You are in here because of me," He muttered, shaking his head and pushing himself off the bed. "I should have forced you to stop after that first hit."

"Rook.. I'm not made of stones. You don't know what I've seen in there. I've been through way worse.. and it was in there. You don't need to be worried about me. I'm perfectly fine. Just stop," Ben frowned, crossing his arms.

"I just cannot forgive myself."

Ben lifted himself off the bed, trying to leave and avoid Rook's depression. He couldn't stand to see his ex-partner like this, even though it wasn't either of their faults.

Through the thick pain throbbing in his skull, he managed to pull out the couple of IVs attached in his arm and stand up from the bed. Rook somehow didn't notice what he was trying to do beside him and that allowed Ben to hold onto the bed tightly and slowly walk over to him.

"R-Rook," He said, hissing when pain flashed through his eyes.

The periwinkle colored alien gasped in fright at his walking partner and rushed to his side in safety. "Ben, you must not be up! It will be bad for your recovery."

Ben gave him a look, "Does it look like I care..?"

"Not much. But please listen to me. You should not be up."

"I'm fine. This is what you get for blaming yourself. Now stop or else I'm going to pass out because of you," He whispered before his knees gave out and he collapsed. Rook luckily caught him in time, and shook his head sadly at Ben's ignorance. He set him back into bed and inserted the removed IVs before leaving the room, a sad smile on his face.

"You need to be hanging with your friends. You can't go hero everyday," Gwen giggled and lightly punched her cousin on the shoulder. This resulted in a small fight between them and ended with Ben sitting on top of her with an evil grin.

"Says the one on the floor," He commented with a smirk. "You can't tell me what to do. Plus it's the right thing to do. Sacrifice my free time to help people in need."

"It's going to be the end of you," She rolled her eyes, pushing her cousin off her body. She grunted and sighed in relief as soon as his heavy body fell the other way. "You need to worry about yourself too."

Ben shrugged and dusted himself off, "I don't matter. Others do. I'll do anything to protect innocent people. You know that."

"Just wish you would forget it," He muttered, crossing his arms.

"I just don't want you to over extend yourself. I don't want you to get hurt," Gwen smiled, giving a kiss on his forehead. "Promise me that you'll be careful, okay?"

He sat for a moment considering that before grinning goofy, and nodding. "Promise."

To bad he had broken that promise days after. Gwen still couldn't get over that he had been kidnapped against his will and kept like an animal. She couldn't have done anything.. nobody could have. Ben had been on his own for years.. like a shell of himself that had been kept like a slave.

When Grandpa Max had told her that Ben had a concussion from being there, she had nearly cried in his arms.

Her cousin was so.. so broken up.. so different. He wasn't invincible as she always suspected he would be. He could be hurt. He could be kidnapped. He could be weak. He wasn't always going to be with the omnitrix, she knew, but.. Ben seemed never to get into any dangerous trouble.

Until now.

Her small feet traveled up the hallways into a unfamiliar location, she had only found by the signs outside. This was where he was staying for the meantime. She just hoped he wasn't getting into any trouble.

She strolled to the front desk and tapped on the smooth wooden material, "I'm looking for Benjamin Tennyson."

The lady at the desk gave a look of boredom and pointed at a random door with her pen, looking down at her magazine. "Room 32. My guess that he's asleep; the doctor gave him some meds."

She didn't bother to thank the lady, partially because she had already began to read her magazine as soon as she was finished. Taking her route, she opened the door to Ben's room carefully and shut it behind her.

Just as the lady had said, he was sound asleep, snoring loudly. There was a bottle of medication beside a half drunken glass of water on the table. His head was wrapped with alot of gauze and she noticed the IVs on his omnitrix arm, the source a clear liquid.

The room was completely empty except for herself and Ben, which was perfect enough for her. Pulling up a chair beside her cousin, she watched his steady breathing.

She wasn't honestly sure how long she had stayed there, except when she felt the gentle tapping on her skull, she groaned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Her head rose from its previous position and watched as a grinning green eyed face appear.

"Good morning sleepy head.. well that would be wrong since it's not morning..," Ben paused and shrugged, "Whatever, I'm going with that."

"Huh?" She managed to mumble before stretching her stiff muscles out.

"What with everyone trying to sneak into here and watch me sleep? Rook did it, now you?" He concluded with a shake of his head. "Please don't tell me you're going to do this often."

Gwen rolled her eyes, "Don't count on it. I just wanted to check up on my favorite cousin."

"Did Grandpa set you up to this?" He said suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.

She put her hands out defensively, "Jeez, calm down Ben. I just wanted to visit you. You've been through alot."

"Yeah.. I know," He sighed, scratching his head, "It's pretty hectic after all this stuff. I just wanna get out of here and go home."

"Just heal up and you'll be home in no time. Promise," Gwen ruffled up Ben's hair. "Now do you want anything for dinner? Grandpa asked the doctor about giving you some fatty foods like burgers. You up?"

He frowned, "Does that mean I have to stay here and you go out and buy them for us?"

"No.." She teased lightly, "It means, that I get to take you out for dinner at the Burger Shack. You just gotta promise to be extra careful with your head and to take the meds I ask. Okay?"

Ben grinned, "Gwen, have I ever told you I loved you so much?"

"Nope."

"Well then, I should start saying it more often."

"Prisoners, please be dressed appropriately. Repeat, please be dressed appropriately or punishments will be severe."

Ben whimpered at the voice around him but he reluctantly got up and did as he was told. He changed into the new clothes he was given, which was standard for every prisoner like him. A grey shirt and black pants. They looked nicer than his regular clothes, which had been ripped up during those depressing weeks. He only had his cargo pants that seemed a little undamaged and his shirt was already beyond repair.

Before he had put on his new grey shirt, he examined his scared body. Around his check, because of the collar they had updated, and around his chest and back, which had been from the whips. The tortures.. he had stopped back-talking to the guards, probably because of the immense amount of pain he was enduring. He couldn't handle whips anymore, he needed a break.

And everyone had noticed the lack of hope Ben had started to give. He wasn't fighting anymore. He wasn't arguing. He wasn't doing anything.

That's when their spirits had began to diminish as well. No hero to cheer, no hope to build.

As soon as he was done, he sat on his bunk for the longest time, waiting for the guards to take him to the secure location everyone was meeting in. He wasn't even sure what it was about anyway. It's not like they were important enough to be informed of.

"Cells will be opening momentarily. Do not try anything or severe punishments will await you. Repeat, Do not try anything," The intercom spoke before shutting off. And true to it's word, the doors slid open, a guard waiting outside.

"Come Tennyson," The guard said, before roughly grabbing his arm and dragging him out.

Ben stumbled on his feet but regained his balance and didn't bother to glance over at the guard for permission to go. He could feel him behind, knowing he was pointing the weapon right at his back if he did anything wrong. He swallowed hard and stared straight ahead.

He could see, out of the corner of his eye, the other prisoners that were doing the exact same thing. They stood straight, looked nicer than usual and walked straight like himself. He hadn't been out of the cell for a while but he saw others, he had never seen before. There was a large male with small little kids behind him; probably his children. They looked about 7-8 years old but looked used to this.

He shook his head mentally. What kind of sick people would steal children and bring them to this mental place? It wasn't right! But before he could think anymore, a barrel stabbed him in the rib.

"Get going! We don't have all day," The guard muttered, shoving him again.

Ben did as he was told and continued to walk and walk, not bothering to think anymore. He couldn't get into anymore trouble. He could take that much anymore.

He wasn't sure how he found his way, but he did, arriving in the large hall. It was pretty huge but it wasn't very appealing. It was grey and depressing; just like the cells. They had plastic chairs lined up neatly and half of it was already full. He joined the large group in the corner and found a seat for himself, tightening himself so that he was far away as possible from the others.

"Ben Tennyson?" He looked up to an eldish old man, who seemed about 50ish. There were large bags underneath his eyes and he seemed like he hadn't slept in years. "I had heard rumors but I hadn't suspected they were true."

Ben managed a half-hearted laugh, "Yeah, they caught me."

"I can see. How.. how's living here suiting you? How long have you been captured?" The man frowned, shaking his head.

"It's terrible," He started with a sigh, "They pretty much beat me everyday for talking back. I got captured a couple months ago.. What about you?"

He chuckled, "Years. I lost count after 3 years.. They tend to do that when you disobey them. You shouldn't do that."

"Yeah, I stopped a couple days ago," Ben shrugged.

A large microphone sound echoed the room and the man jolted back into a straight position, "Be quiet. They're about to talk."

He decided not to ask him again and glanced straight forward at a new group of people arriving on stage. They wore business suits and looked pretty tall than an average human. One of them, probably the leader, had his hair combed back with a dark look staring out into the crowd.

"Hello," He yelled out, his voice deep and darkish.

The crowd around him mumbled a hello back but nobody looked away from the men. Ben shuddered lightly at how.. dead the crowd seemed but he glanced back to the stage.

"Nice couple of slaves you got here," The man turned around and mumbled to a coworker. The guy said something in response that amused him and he turned back with a large grin. "Now you all must be wondering why we are here and that is a very simple question: We are here to buy you."

The body of prisoners remained silent.

"That may seem pretty normal and you may be thinking, 'why go through all this trouble?' Well we want the best slaves for this expedition. This will be a top notch mission that must be carried out by only the best and fittest prisoners. And in the end, you may regain your freedom," The man finished, scanning the crowd.

Ben soaked this in slowly. He could escape if he joined them! That meant he could go back with his family and friends back on earth. He could be free again. And it would only take a single mission. Nothing could be as hard as defeating Vilgax or the DNAliens.. Right?

"We'll be here for a couple of days, inspecting for only the finest slaves. So you better do your best and impress us," The man chuckled darkly before turning to Magent, who had just appeared. The man looked better than Ben remembered, probably because he had been a bloody mess during the last time he had seen him.

"And you better not think this is a way to just escape without my notice. If you try, you will be severely punished," He scanned the crowd with his dark eyes.

And out of nowhere a beep was heard below him. Ben glanced down and found the omnitrix symbol green and active. 'What?' He thought speechless before lightly brushing the button. He hadn't turned into an alien into months.. what.. what was finally working? Was someone going to rescue him?

He spun the dial, activating the watch for use. He glanced up at Magent who continued to look around and he took this time to slam down on the watch. He felt himself mutate and change, being something entirely different. He hadn't done anything like this for months.. it was good to finally experience this again. But now wasn't the time to be happy. He needed to get past everything.. especially the guards.

And once he opened his eyes, he found himself flying and cold where ever he went. Big Chill. He could work with this.

"Who is that?" Someone yelled out and he recognized it as Magent. Great.

"Benjamin Tennyson, sir."

"Shoot him down. He's going to get something worse from me."

He felt shots whiz past him and he dodged thankfully. Another round appeared and he went intangible but to his astonishment, he was blasted in the chest and brought down. He groaned in pain and was then electrocuted by a pair of nearby guards. He screamed in pain and changed back, dropping like a weight onto the floor.

"Get up boy," A kick to his stomach pushed him out of his rest. He got up slowly and glanced up at the angered face of Magent. "You have alot of nerve boy to ruin a good deal such as this." More round of kicks around his body.

"Who is this?" The man on the stage asked with a frown. He hovered over Ben's fallen body like a predator.

"Benjamin Kirby Tennyson, wielder of the omnitrix. He's a new recruit to these parts. He's been uncooperative in the last couple of months however, and this is his last time doing so," Magent muttered. "Guards, take him to my place. He needs to have a little talk with."

A couple of guards grabbed cuffs and tied Ben's wrists, harshly dragging him along with them.

"Now don't be too hasty. The poor kid's only learning. I'm sure there's another punishment we can get through his thick skull," The man volunteered. The guards paused for a second, glancing at their boss.

"But Gagren, you don't understand this boy. He's-"

"I'm aware of the greatest hero in the galaxy. I have heard of his accomplishments, but that doesn't mean he'll be let off easy. You'll still punish him."

Magent frowned, "Then what do you suggest?"

"I suggest that we show him what happens if he tries to go against us again. Bring along his family, what're they called? The Tennysons'? Bring that precious cousin he loves so much. Gwendolyn correct," He glanced over at Ben's stricken face. "Surely that must be an acceptable punishment. Watch them suffer and he'll suffer."

"That sounds.. like a wonderful idea," The boss grinned evilly. "I'll have my guards fetch them immediately."

"No!" Ben managed to scream, pulling against the guards' grip. "Please don't hurt any of them! Please! I'll be obedient. I'll do whatever you say, just please don't hurt them, I beg of you."

Gagren glanced over to his friend, "See what I mean? Hurt his family and he'll be broken forever. Now what was your side of the punishment?"

"I was thinkin-"

"You aren't going to hurt them right?" Ben interrupted, looking with fear at the two large men in front of him. "Please don-"

The nicely suited man backhanded the teen before he could finish. Ben could feel the numbing pain on half his face and if he was able to, he would of touched it. He stared mouth agaped at the man and took a step back.

"Don't interrupt slave," He hissed menacingly. "Interrupting your master shows no discipline and rudeness. Now apologize to him at once."

Ben glanced over at Magent, who was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed to be more than enjoying this. This was like pleasure to him. A slave apologizing?; too great.

"I'm sorry."

Silence and..

"You haven't finished it."

"Huh?" Ben glanced over at Gagren, who tapped his foot impatiently.

The man frowned, "You forgot Master, slave. Don't make me beat it out of you."

"I'm sorry M-Master."

Gagren smirked, "I didn't ask for a stutter boy," He grabbed Ben's neck and tightened his grip on him against the wall, "You trying to disobey me? This calls for a beating."

Green eyes widened, "B-But please! I.. I did as you asked, please!"

The man flipped Ben behind him and punched him with his fist, "Did I ask for you to show mercy? You slaves need to understand one thing. If we ask for you to plead for mercy, then you better do it. If not, then don't." More punches and cries of pain filled the room and the other prisoners winced at how it was playing out. Ben Tennyson, the hero of many galaxies was being beaten like a dead animal. There was nothing they could do, unless they wanted a beating for themselves. They're hero was defenseless.

When Gagren finished, his fist was covered in a small layer of blood and he had sweat all over his body. Ben on the other hand, didn't look to well. His face was completely swollen and his eye was shut tight because of that. The corner of his mouth had a trail of running blood and he remained unmoving on the ground.

The man wiped off his hands on his suit. "That teaches him to talk back. Now, I think our meeting his dismissed. They've gotten the message."

The guards immedately collected the prisoner they were assigned too and began moving out. Ben's guard stood beside him and glanced over to Magent, "What do I do now sir?"

"Collect him and dispose of him in his cell. He gets no food for the next couple of days and if he tries anything, alert me. I'll deal with him personally," He narrowed his eyes and spun around, not bothering to give the injured boy a second glance.

And in about 10 minutes, Ben was thrown back into his room, literally. He laid on the floor like a helpless animal. He was aware of his surroundings but he couldn't move a muscle; his body was on fire. He could only think about what mistakes he had done that had cost him this. Everyone had saw what he had tried to do; they probably thought he was just like them, a person desperate to escape but failed every single time.

It was pointless to try anymore. It was a waste of energy and of his mental being. He just needed to be strong for a little while longer, maybe something would come and rescue him from this place. But he couldn't cause anymore trouble or it would lead into worse things.

The pain around his body became unbearable as he lost consciousness and everything faded into black.