TITLE: Breath
AUTHOR: Sanguinary
DISCLAIMER: Don't own the BWOC characters
COPYRIGHT: September 15, 2001
DISTRIBUTION: Ask and ye shall receive.
RATING: PG 13
CATEGORY: Darkfic
FEEDBACK: Most excellent! Send it care of: Sanguinary_515@hotmail.com
SUMMARY: Merton's thoughts as he is beaten.

~~

Breath in.

Breath out.

Breath in.

Breath out.

He can feel the blood running out of his nose, leaving red trails across his face, yet he
cannot feel the pain.

Breath in.

Breath out.

Another boot catches him in the stomach, interrupting his thoughts for a moment, bringing him
back to the real world.

"Nice one Travis."

Breath in.

Breath out.

Breath in.

Breath out.

His thoughts float though his head like clouds. If he doesn't think beyond simple patterns he
can block out the pain. He can keep the tears at bay. Because tears are signs of failure.
Signs of how vulnerable he really is. It's better if he doesn't think at all.

Breath in.

Breath out.

And, while his mind has been away, his body has been lying in the corridor of the school. He
is vaguely aware that he has curled into a ball, his arms protecting his head. He is not sure
if he is making noise or not. Sometimes he screams. Sometimes he whimpers. But apparently not
today.

Breath in.

Breath out

Breath in.

They've been waiting for this day. A day where neither Tommy nor Lori was there to protect him,
to stop them. T 'N' T. Two nut-less turds. To not think. Time not there. Talent not there.
Torture 'n' Torment. His mind plays with the letter, trying to keep it occupied and away.

Breath out.

The pain is making it though his shields and this time he knows that it won't end in time.
They've only stopped because of teachers or other students or something to distract them. But
this time it won't stop.

And Merton knows it.

Breath in.

It's getting harder to stay away, harder to keep conscious. Another headshot and his vision is
turning red. It's hard to breath, hard to think.

Breath out.

It's growing dark; his vision is fuzzing in and out. He's only aware of the sound of his heart
beating and his ragged breathing.

Breath in.

.
.
.
.
.

Out.

He can't breath. Can't make his body move.

.
.
.
.

Heart grows slower and now, finally, they've stopped.

"Is he ...d?"

"D....kno.."
"Oh s...."

"............troubl..."

The voices fade away, sliding like water down a sink drain.

And Merton still can't breath.

.
.
.
Thump.
.
.
.
.
.
Thump.
.
.
.
.
Thu

~End~