“The time has come bring forth the accused!” The sounds of men, woman, and children cheering loudly rang through the room.

Simon felt himself being dragged into the room like a lamb to the slaughter. He was hogged tied, gagged, and blindfolded. The pain seared his chest, stomach, and gentiles as they scrapped against the newly waxed floor.

“Put it in the chamber.”

Simon heard more cheering as he was lifted off the floor, flipped onto his back, and tossed into something he hoped was water. It smelled very strong. His body burned like fire as the liquid absorbed into his cuts and bruises. He tired to scream but the gagged prevented any sounds from coming out.

“Start the purification.”

Simon was rolled over and over in the ‘cleaning solution.’ The pain was burning every part of him. He found it harder and harder to breath as they continued to ’purify’ him. He was rolled over and over in the liquid. His skin felt as if it was being ripped from his bones. All he wanted to do was die.

“Removed the accused and put it on the stand.”

Simon was yanked out of the chamber, untied, and strapped into a chair. Then they removed his blindfold and gag. Simon opened his eyes but they didn’t work for they were no longer there the liquid burned them away.

“What the **** do you want with me?” Simon screamed or at least that is what he wanted to say but it came out as nothing but a series of grunts for, like his eyes, his tongue was also damaged beyond repair.

“The accused will be silent. You are accused of sins against our lords. Since your sins are of the flesh you will punished by dismemberment by our lords. May they take mercy on your soul. Send in the lords.”

Simon heard something come into the room. He heard chains dragging and a strange moaning noise. Then he heard a door slam as more sounds of chains and moaning. Oh my god was all he thought as the image of what he saw in that room came charging back at him. He pulled at the straps with all his strength breaking them. He was free from his bonds but not from his fate.

The “lords” came at him, tearing at his flesh, ripping at his limbs, breaking his bones, and ending his life. As his life was torn from him the pain disappeared and he was emerged in a tunnel of light. He looked up for he could see once more. At the end of the tunnel he could see Sarah waiting for him smiling. She reached out to him pulling him back to her once more. Together as one.

The battle is lost but the war goes on. As a lone figure dressed in blue overalls, with Bob written on the pocket, and carrying a mop slips out of the room unnoticed by the others. He makes his way up to the roof, climbs down the fire escape, and runs away from the building. To freedom, to honor, to his destiny.