The young boy hit the ground with a thud, gripping his torso in pain. "Get up, welch!" A man said. He looked up to see his captor, glaring down at him. The man then grabbed him, dragging him to his feet. He glared at the boy, who returned his gaze with the same fury. "Have you learned your lesson yet?"
"What do you think?" He retorted.
The man gave an evil grin. "I was hoping you'd say that." He said before throwing him against the wall. Before the boy could even get a word in, the man started beating him to a pulp.
"NGH!" The boy grunted, trying to hold in his screams.
"Ah c'mon, let me hear you scream, welch!" The man taunted as he beat him. He started hitting him harder, but the boy refused to give in.
"Think you're tough, huh? Well can you handle THIS!." The man said as he pulled out his whip and started flogging the boy.
"GAAAAAH!" The boy screamed.
"Now that's what I like to hear!" The man said as he continued to flog the boy, unable to hold in his tears any longer. When he was done, the boy was curled up in a ball on the floor, shaking with fear, covered in his own blood. The man gave an evil grin, but stopped when the boy started whispering something inaudible.
"What was that? I can't understand what you're saying? Must have a collapsed lung, that usually makes it hard to speak." The man taunted, getting down on his level. When he got close enough, the boy spat blood on his face, grinning as he did so. The man was furious, slamming the boy's head into the ground in anger. He started kicking him while he was down, pure anger in his eyes. When he was finally done, he was panting as he tried to calm himself down.
"Jeez, ya think you taught him a lesson yet?" A new voice joined, walking into the cell.
"SHUT IT!" The first man yelled.
The second man simply shook his head in response. "Just make sure you don't kill him, or else the boss will have our hides." He said before walking off.
The man grumbled some incoherent curses, before turning back to his prey.
"Take this as a lesson, welch! This time, I was merciful, but if you even think about trying to escape again, I will show no mercy!" The guard threatened.
"Y-yes s-s-sir." The boy said fearfully, his tough demeanor shattered. The man spat on him, before walking away, locking the cell on the way out. The boy lied there, unable to move due to how much pain and exhaustion he had suffered. He looked through a barred window to see the sun slowly rise, bringing in the only light that dared to enter his lonely cell. He stared at its beauty, trying to reach out to it, before pulling his hand away in fear. He closed his eyes, his exhaustion overtaking him.
"One day." He said to himself, before falling into unconsciousness.