For many moments, Shinko sat there, trying to understand all that had happened to her in the last few hours. Was it hours? Shinko wondered. It could be days since she had been kidnapped, and she wouldn't know. It didn't seem important now, the samurai figured as she searched blindly for the vial.
At last, she found it, and took it in her hands that were now smeared with drying blood.
Is he telling the truth? Can I trust him? she questioned in her mind. Can I truly believe anything he says? This could be poison. How would I know?
On one hand, she could drink this unknown elixir, and possibly die from it. The other option is refuse to drink it, and almost surely die from her previous injury. Both were unsure in the outcome, but only one led to possible reprieve.
As her wounded throbbed once more, she made a decision.
I must pray for God's grace and take a chance.
With that, she opened the vial and gulped down the dark liquid.
It had no flavor to it at first, but then came a burning after-taste. The samurai was beginning to have second thoughts. Then, more pain came. She tasted bile in her mouth and vomited.
After, her body started to shake and become numb. She didn't know what was happening to her, but she hoped for the best.
God help me, God help me, God help me... she echoed again and again in her thoughts.
A wave of pain came and she cried out in agony. She held her throat tightly, as if it would stop the ache, but it was unsuccessful.
What happening to me?!?! she cried in her head, for no comprehensible words would form on her lips. Just screams of pain.
Then, as quickly as it began, it stopped, and her body became completely numb. She couldn't move, but Shinko was still conscious. When the pain came again, her throat constricted, so even a word could not get out.
Paralyzed and silent, Shinko could only pray and hope she would live.
What was the point of the chains? Shinko mused, If this would be the effect of that substance?
Her body became cold, either to the temperature in the room dropping, or her own body heat lowering her into the grip of death. The first, she hoped. Shinko was thankful she still was dressed in a heavy dogi, at least. It would keep her somewhat warm, she hoped.
D-damn him... she said in her mind as another wave of pain overtook her, DAMN HIM!
She could only sit and bare it; she had no way of easing the throb. It felt like her head was splitting in two, that her limbs were being torn from her body. Unbearable, but still, somehow, she did not lose consciousness.
That must be one of the elixir's traits. She concluded, May the Lord have mercy on his tainted soul!
It went on for seconds, minutes, perhaps hours. There was no way to measure time, nor did Shinko want to, or could she, with so much pain.
However, even with so much pain, with so much agony, she kept praying. Every time the pain ceased for a moment, she hoped she would survive. No matter how much torture her body would go through, she could not wish for death, for fear of being condemned to hell. She did not want death; it would be too easy. If she died, she could not deliver the Lord's wrath onto her captor. When she was given the chance, Shinko promised herself, she was going to make him pay.
In her present state, Shinko could not find rest. Although the jolts of pain would cease for seconds, and if she were lucky, minutes at a time, it still was not enough to allow her to sleep. She did not know how long she sat there, huddled up against the cold. If her body was able to move, she could have found a more comfortable position to rest in, but the paralysis held strong.
At times, she fell within herself, to try to forget the pain and despair of the situation, thinking of nothing, simply just living. Shinko, at other times, thought of more pleasant memories, and of how blessed she was to have that life.
Then the pain came again, and all was washed away.
After what felt like days to the young samurai, but was actually a much shorter period, the chamber door opened again. Two men came in, both cloaked in black. She was sure they were another pair of her captor's lackeys. When the door shut, Shinko could see nothing, and again her senses went up. She could hear their footsteps, and even hear each of them breathing.
It didn't matter really. She could not move, speak and of course not fight back.
"This is the one?" one asked the other.
A period of silent followed, where Shinko guessed the reply was a nod.
"Did he really have to use so much? I mean, look at her." The same one as before commented.
She could feel their eyes on her, but it didn't matter after the wave of agony came again. Shinko tried to show as little suffering as possible, which, at this point, was almost useless. Although her mind hadn't given up yet, her body long ago ceased to listen to her commands.
"Come on, we'd better do this quick." The other instructed.
The chains were sliced away, leaving only the cuffs sitting on Shinko's wrists.
"Why does it matter? He said that as long as she lives, it doesn't matter what happens to her." The first man stated.
"Just pick her up and let's go. I want to be done as soon as possible." The second ordered and Shinko was lifted from the ground and tossed onto the shoulder of the first man. "Wait, hold on. I almost forgot."
A searing pain hit the back of Shinko's head, though it wasn't nearly as bad as the hell she had been through so far, it was still enough to send her into blackness.
"He told us to do that before she was transported."