Chapter Eight: Please Don't Hurt Me
Warnings: Violence, Torture, Death, Cannibalism, Abusive Relationships
-000-
Unknown's POV
In an almost tragic finality, Italy's body ceased its struggle and sank into an eternal slumber. Well, I guess that's a nicer way to put it, considering the fact that I'm responsible for his death. I use my knife to quickly slice the rope hanging the dead man in front of me. Taking a glance at the pitiful corpse, I notice the relief in his eyes. I felt a pang in my chest looking at the deceased nation in front of me. I killed him. This is my fault. No! I'm not a murderer. Even if I am, this is his rightful punishment. That look on his face shows that he wanted to die!
I don't have time to be wasting on him. He's a pathetic excuse for a nation, and he had to die. As I lifted his lifeless head, I turned to the camera; I have to say something to the viewers. Everyone needs to see how serious and mature I am. I just need to say a few words. They can't even see my face. After that, I can turn the camera off and think about it.
Trying my best to sound tough, I sneered, "Here's your special gift, Romano. Expect this face to reach you." Firmly, I grasp my knife and slice into the flesh of his neck. Gentle droplets of crimson flow from the wound as I sit there gazing at him mournfully. A heavy feeling pangs inside of my chest again. Is this guilt? Ugh, I can't be acting like this, especially while I'm on camera! He's just a hunk of meat that I need to cut up. The fresh, warm blood on my hands used to be pumping in his heart, and I've stopped that. He used to be a living, breathing person just like me, and I've killed him!
I can't focus on this right now! I need to act tough! I began to saw into the neck in front of me, trying my hardest to finish the job as quickly as I can. The neck is hard to cut through with a flimsy knife, and the task only feels worse when Germany's sobs keep ringing through my ears. I don't even want to think of what Romano is going through. Why do I feel so bad? Just moments ago, I wanted everyone dead, yet now that I've killed just one person I feel terrible. Will I be able to go on killing people?
Finally, I finished cutting the neck. I stood up and held Italy's severed head by the hair in a strong grip. Travis, probably realizing that I was done, turned the camera off. Once the camera's red blink stopped, I dropped the head and left the room. Quickly, I opened the door to where Germany was and tased him. His sobs ceased momentarily as his body violently convulsed from the electricity.
I really don't want to deal with him; I just want to go to my room and lay down. Even though he was still convulsing, I picked him up and dragged him to his room. During this, some of Italy's blood smeared onto Germany, making the whole ordeal a bit slippery. Finally arriving, I opened the door to his empty room and hastily tossed him in. As I began to return to my own bedroom, I saw Travis leave the computer room. Even though he probably needed to talk to me, I barked, "Just take the head to Romano's house and go home!"
"Yes, sir," Travis muttered, slightly annoyed. I wasn't in the mood to lash back for the attitude, so I continued on my way.
Finally reaching my room, I went in and plopped down on the bed. Even though I'd be more comfortable if I took off my disguise, I don't have the energy to bother. All I have right now is guilt.
I don't know if I should do anything else. I've already caused enough harm for them to realize my strength, so maybe I should let everyone go. I could even put on a hospital gown and act like I was also captured. After all, I've been disguised. Then again, the security footage from the meeting shows that I wasn't kidnapped with them. However, I could say I was caught as I was going into the building. Hm, that might actually work.
A familiar voice refuted in my head, "No, you can't do that! You've worked so hard, but you're going to quit just because of you feel bad. Do you see how stupid you sound? Even if you did want to quit, you'd be breaking our agreement."
"I should've never made that stupid agreement in the first place," I muttered.
"Stupid agreement? I wouldn't call an agreement at the cost of your life and soul stupid. You're supposed to provide me ample victims, or you become the victim. You even benefit from the torture because of your whole vengeance thing, and I sometimes let you torture them when you want. Also, I'm generous enough to let you kill them like earlier!" she ranted. "Besides, doesn't it feel good to inflict pain on others? I know you like it; It makes you feel better about the past."
I replied, "Well, you need me to kill them or else your precious vessel will die. I wouldn't call that an act of generosity, more an act of necessity. You're painting yourself a saint despite all the torture you've done to me before."
"Are you really going to whine about the old days? It's not my fault that my previous vessel was more eager for a killing spree than a slow and painful torture. It wasn't anything against you, it's just that you were an easy target, and my previous vessel had to fulfill my sadistic needs. Don't you forget that I kept you alive for a while and made sure to keep your brother alive as well."
"You killed me though."
"Honest mistake," she giggled. "Anyways, isn't it ironic that you want to kill the same brother that you tried so hard to protect?"
"He's the reason I'm in this situation in the first place. It's his fault I'm suffering."
"Wow, tragic," she said nonchalantly. "To be honest with you, I don't care."
"I don't know why I bother to talk to you. You're just a jerk."
"A jerk with perks," she quipped.
"Still a jerk."
"Ugh, you're no fun!" she grouched. "You know, I've got a special surprise for you. Just take off that ridiculous costume."
Complying, I changed out of my outfit and into some plain clothes.
"Good boy, now look in the mirror!"
I turned to the mirror to my left and saw that something about me was different. Curious, I stepped closer and noticed that the normal hue of my eyes had a slight red tint to it.
"Isn't it cool? They say that eyes are a gateway into the soul. The more nations you kill, the more your eyes will change. You're already a new man!"
"That's nice," I muttered.
"I expected a more enthusiastic reaction from you."
Sighing, I responded, "Well, I'm not the same person I used to be. Everything I've gone through has changed me."
"Whatever, I don't care," she groaned as she decided to quiet down for now. Thank God that she finally shut up!
Today's been exhausting, so I'm going to go to bed early. Italy's remains are going to stink tomorrow, but I couldn't care less right now. I flopped onto the bed and fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.
-000-
Travis's POV
After delivering that disgusting head, I was relieved knowing that I was allowed to go straight home once I drop the mail truck off. Then again, the truck is stolen so it wouldn't be a good idea to just drop it off for them to see that I was the one who stole it. Putting in the key, I started the engine and began to drive to a familiar cliff. I know from experience that the bottom is so deep that no one could ever try to find what lies below. I've disposed of many things in the depths of its belly that remain undiscovered. Ironically, the lush grass around the area caused it to be named by the locals as the Pit of Life. Little do they know that their beautiful grass is fueled by many decaying men.
I stopped the truck once I got close to the edge and began to push it. After a bit of effort, the truck teetered on the very edge before I gave it a final shove into its grave. The massive hunk of metal smashing into the ground below was barely audible. It'd be funny if that truck hit all the men lying at the bottom. Would their bones get ground to dust, or have their remains long sunk into the mud?
It was a long walk back to where I had parked my car. The parking garage was full of cars similar to my own, but my memory never fails. I sat down in the driver seat of my minivan. My wife, Sarah, insisted that one baby didn't call for us to buy such a big car, but I traded out our plain old car for this anyways. She doesn't know yet, but I've replaced her birth control with sugar pills. I want to have as many children as possible with her, so sometimes I have to keep secrets in order for us to be happy. I know she didn't mean it when she told me that one child was enough. She could go into menopause at any time. Her biological clock is ticking, so it's only fair that I do this.
I pulled into the driveway of our house and went inside. Surprisingly, instead of being greeted with kisses, I was given a cold scowl.
"What's the ma-" I began to ask before being cut off by Sarah.
"Who is she?" Sarah asked.
"What do you mea-"
"I know you're seeing another woman!" she started to tear up as she spoke. "There's no reason to keep lying to me. Just stop torturing me."
"I'm not seeing any other woman! I love you too much!" I replied, but she was unconvinced.
"Then explain to me why you keep going to 'work' without getting paid a cent." Shit.
"It's my boss. He-" I began to explain, but was cut off.
"Stop with the lies! I'm sick of this! I'm leaving!" She turned away before I grabbed her by the wrist.
"I know you're not going to leave me, Sarah. You're mine!" Sarah tried to pull her wrist away, but I firmed up my grip.
"You're crazy! I don't know why I ever married you in the first place!"
"It's because I'm the only mad that hasn't disappeared. Every man that you've loved before me has gone missing. It must be God's mysterious ways that brought you to me. I'm the only man that didn't vanish."
"You killed them, didn't you?" she fearfully asked.
"I did nothing of the sort. You keep jumping to conclusions without any basis to them. I think you need to be taught who's boss." I pushed her hair to the side and nipped at her neck.
"Now's not the time for sex!" she exclaimed pushing me away.
"I think right now you should be stripping for me, and you should know that my commands are to be obeyed," I reminded her.
"But I don't want to! What is wrong with you? Get away from me!" she cried. Aggravated, I let out a deep sigh.
"You shouldn't be acting so disobedient. You're going to upset the baby growing inside of you if you keep doing that."
Confused, she said, "What are you talking about? I'm not pregnant!"
"Surprise!" I cheered. Sarah went pale and ran into the bathroom. Confirming my suspicions, she began to cry. She must be overjoyed if the news has brought her to tears.
"I hate you!" she screamed through the door. Why isn't she happy? She shouldn't be yelling at me.
Before I could think, she ran out of the bathroom and into the baby's room. As I began to walk over to her, she ran past me and out of the door.
"I'm done dealing with your shit, Travis! I'm taking her with me!" she yelled on the way out. As I walked outside, I saw her drive away with tears dripping down her face. This wouldn't have even happened if it wasn't for that bastard of a boss I have! He took away the one good thing I had in my life! What's to stop me now from losing my mind?
-000-
Unknown's POV
Just like she has every single night since I've been captured, the masked woman in the hooded cloak came into my room.
"Please, don't hurt me again!" I screamed at the masked woman in front of me. Even though I know it does nothing, I can't help but yell at her. Tears started to silently trickle down my pale face. My body knows at this point that it's about to be in extreme pain.
"Why are you crying again? You're the one who made the deal in the first place. We shook on it," she said.
My body began to tremble at the sound of her venomous voice. I know that she's only going to torture me again, and there's no escaping her. Every day, she wakes me up in the middle of the night for her stupid games.
"You want me to keep your brother safe, right?"
My voice quivered, "Y-Yeah, that's true but-"
"But what? It's your brother's life or yours. You made your choice ages ago, opting to spare England in exchange for your life. You know England's worth much more than you. People care about him, but you're completely worthless." Her words stung like the sting of lemon juice on an open wound, and I know what that feels like; that's what she did to me last time she woke me up at this hour.
It's a good thing that no one actually cares about me. It would be kind of hard to explain the rope burns on my wrists from my pitiful struggles, the dark circles under my eyes caused by being awoken in the middle of the night all the time, the profanities carved into my skin by her, or my hoarse voice after a night of screaming in agony. It's funny how the person that I'm breaking myself for doesn't even care that I exist. I bet that once she actually kills me, he won't even notice that the ashes in the incinerator came from my corpse. Thinking about it is sad, but I know that it's the truth.
Ripping me from my thoughts, the lady picked me up with ease. Before I could think, she smashed my head into the wall. Pain shot through my head in that instant and, like a delicate porcelain doll, my skull cracked from the intense force. A red splash of my blood was splattered onto the wallpaper which would probably leave an ugly stain behind. Everything I touch is disgusting.
"It's fun to push the limits of what will do you in!" she cheered sadistically. "You're a trooper. I don't know what keeps you going. I mean, no one cares about you at all, yet you never quit fighting."
"No...no more," I barely managed to choke out. My head was pounding like a pulsating heart while blood flowed out of my injury. It feels like my brain is filled with air.
"Are you already tired? The fun's just begun! I've done the same to you plenty of times before, so why are you begging so soon in?"
"So...so tired," I spoke weakly. She laughed at my pitiful body. What has my life become?
"Well aren't you in for a treat? Or should I say, I'm in for a treat," she snickered. What does that even mean? "Let's get you out of those clothes," she said as she pulled out a familiar knife.
"P-Please...don't. N-Not again," my pathetic voice croaked in a useless protest.
Just as she had done many times before, she skimmed the knife from my collar to the bottom of my stomach. The fabric teared and fell to my side, revealing my many scars. Across my chest is the word "PUSSY", the first word she carved into me because of how much I cried. On my right hip is "BITCH" and on my left is "TOY." The word "MINE" is carved down my stomach. There's also that burn on the back of my neck that was done to brand me as her property, which I pretty much am. I'm hers.
The lady said, "Today, I'm feeling hungry for something different than normal. I want to taste you."
My eyes widened at her words, but I was helpless to prevent what she was going to do to me. Bringing her knife to my chest, she began to slice into my flesh starting from the bottom of my neck going down. As beads of red emerged, my chest began to burn. A scream ripped from deep inside me as she cut low and deep. Once my stomach was ripped open, she digged her long claw-like fingers into my organs.
"Stop! It hurts!" I shrieked. Like a waterfall, tears were overflowing from my cheeks and staining my chin as they dried. "You'll kill me!"
"You're completely useless! I don't care one bit about your pathetic existence! Your only purpose is to be my torture victim!" she yelled into my ears. Her fingers slid into my skin with her hands cupping the ends of my ribs. With her brute strength, she tore and broke my ribs apart. Agonized screams were yanked from my lungs and sliced the deafening air, the pouchlike organs squeezing like a bag pipe.
"Is that all you've got? Your screams aren't as pure as they used to be. Give me fresh screams!" She whined through my pain induced howls.
"Ma-a-ake it s-st-o-p," I cried out like a scratched disk. She only snickered.
"That's cute, but it's just not the same as your virgin screams. Well, I shouldn't play with my food." As she spoke, the woman jerked out my left ribs with high-pitched wails to accompany it. Gripping her mask with blood stained hands, she tore her mask off, but my clouded eyes couldn't make out her face. I won't even get to know who's responsible for my prolonged suffering before she ends my life. Through tear-filled eyes, I could somewhat see her teeth digging into my flesh. Blood began to drip down her chin as she eagerly ate the meat that was once a part of my body.
"You're simply delicious! Once you eventually die, which you will, I'll have to freeze you and eat you up later!"
"K-kill... kill me," I muttered. Reaching out a bloodied, trembling hand, I repeated, "kill m-me, p-please."
"Do you really think I'm going to listen to the likes of you? It's much more fun to leave you screaming in pain until you've become completely mangled," the sadistic lady said in between bites. "I'll just eat this later. I want to dig into those organs of yours, especially your heart! It's so cute how it's pumping so fast!"
With her witchy fingers, she squeezed my heart. The second that happened, my vision went white as I let out the loudest, shrillest shriek I've ever heard. I thought I would die at that moment, but I somehow lived.
"So pure! What a lovely scream! Let's hear that again!" she said as she squeezed my heart once more. My eyes widened as the same identical pain caused me to let out brutal cries of agony. My head fell back as the white engulfed my vision for a moment. I nearly passed out from that alone.
"Hm, which organ should I eat?" she asked as she eyeballed my body as if it were a buffet table instead of a person. Smiling, she got a firm grip my left lung and ripped it out of me.
Eventually, after hours of this, everything seemed to blend into a blur of nothing but excruciating pain. It was as if I was in a dream between consciousness and unconsciousness. Continuously, for what seemed like years, she kept eating me bit by bit. At some time during my clouded confusion, I snapped back into full awareness. What's going on? What used to be my normal body was mangled beyond repair. Instead of organs, all I had was a bloody soup with small fragments of my flesh swimming in it.
"I don't know how you're even conscious at this point with all that I've done to you. Any normal person would've died hours ago. If it weren't for your pale eyes darting all around, I would think that you had died."
I tried to say something, but all that came out was a gargled mess.
"Did you forget that your tongue is gone? I got sick of your whining, so now you can scream without me having to hear you speak." The floor was pretty much painted in my blood.
"I think it's about time that you say goodnight for the last time. To be frank, I've gotten bored, and I'm filled to the brim with your meat."
"Big brother," I tried to say so that I could see England one last time, but yet again, it came out gurgled and weird. I'd have to do something else.
Dipping my finger in blood, I wrote out "E-N-G-L-A-N-D" on the wall, wallpaper soaking up the blood.
"Oh, you want to see England one last time even though he hates you? That's sweet. I guess it's fine since it's not like he can save you now being in the condition you're in. Plus, it'll be fun to see his reaction."
She stepped out of the room and morning light flooded the room. What time is it? Does it even matter?
Shortly after she left, England ran into the room frantically with wide eyes. Weakly, I looked at him and tried to smile.
"Holy shit, what the fuck has she done to you?" he yelled. However, this yell was different than the ones that have been flooding my ears this whole time. This was out of concern and care.
Running over to me, he sat down at my side and gently picked me up to hold me in his arms. His clothes were starting to get soaked in my blood, but that doesn't matter right now. His hot tears began to drip onto my icy cheeks.
"How did this happen? How was she able to do this without anyone hearing?"
"Sound-proof walls," I tried to answer, forgetting that my tongue was gone. More tears fell down England's face seeing me like this.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that I let you hurt like this when I should have been there for you. I left you alone when you needed me most and now you're going to..." He stopped his sentence dead in its tracks. We know what's about to happen, but it hurts to accept it.
Reaching my left hand to his right, I shakily grabbed his hand as a small way to show that it's alright.
After a few moments, my body began to feel weaker than it's ever been, and my eyes feel so heavy. Am I finally going to die? Is this the end for me?
"It's okay," he assured me calmly even though tears wouldn't stop falling from his eyes. "Go ahead and let your body relax. Just, fall asleep for now so that you can heal, and I'll be here when you wake up." We both know that I'm not waking up after this, but it's a sweet lie that we can tell ourselves for now.
Finally, I let my muscles relax and allowed for my heavy eyes to find rest. The darkness feels welcoming even though I know there's no turning back. Even so, it's a relief. I've been hurting for so long. She won't be able to hurt me for any longer.
-000-
Snapping out of my nightmare, I awoke in my bed with cold sticky sweat covering me all over just like the blood of past deaths. These nightmares just don't know when to stop.
"Good morning!" a familiar demon chimes. "Odd dreams, huh? Those days sure were something."
"Don't you dare act like that for a second!" I yelled at her.
"You're the one that sided with evil, so it's not my problem that I haven't been the nicest to you in the past."
"Shut up! I don't want to hear that voice anymore!"
"Aw, don't be like that. I'm a creature of malice, so it's just in my nature to be evil. You, on the other hand, don't have a very good excuse. It's whatever though."
I've been through so much. I've been broken, shattered to pieces, and it's not for anything I did. Looking at my nightstand, I glanced at the golden pocket watch. I've used that too many times, and it has taken a toll on my body. If only England had never given that to me.
-000-
A/N: Congratulations to myself for writing about 4.5k words for this chapter since my bare minimum rule is at least 2k. I've been debating for ages how I wanted to progress this story and didn't write for a while because of that. There are so many deep story lines I've formed in my head, but I don't know which ones are good and which ones aren't. There's also the problem of not revealing too much too soon, and it doesn't help that I'm writing about the mystery man in his POV which leads people to figure out who he is too soon. I mean, one person is dead, yet I thought it would be fine to drop this huge background story for good ol' mystery man. Also, don't disregard Travis's role in this story. While he may not be that important now, he will be important sooner or later. Also, I've been thinking of changing the title of the story since this title is generic and hard to find via search engine. I'll post an Author's Note in the next chapter if I do. Anyways, I'll see ya next chapter!