Shell-less Guard

"No. No! Please, no!"

The girl couldn't understand, but she hated the thought of what was about to happen.

She… She still had hope. That someone would arrive. And see and save her. Rescue her from this damned place. And that she would live.

Somehow, surely, she could still keep her life, couldn't she?

It wasn't too bad. It wasn't impossible. A miracle… she could expect one, couldn't she?

However, reality was cruel.

Lint stared into the pile of flesh that was quivering in suffering.

"Ah, still not dead," he clicked his tongue.

"Lint! I don't allow it! You can't!"

She forgot he couldn't hear.

"Too bad, you won't be able to keep your life."

Anoi hurled herself at the male, and, once again, went right through him.

"No! Don't!... Don't kill me!"

In contrast to the desperate Anoi, who was at her wit's end, Lint wasn't in a hurry. He had all the time in the world.

He checked the gun and then pointed it at the figure before him.

Anoi couldn't believe what was happening. She wasn't going to die because of that woman's orders! The girl stood in front of her bloodied self, wishing to cover it, wanting to protect herself. She, somehow, waited for the male to continue in an anticipation. She didn't believe he will do it. She didn't believe she will die.

And he didn't shoot. Not yet.

Savoring the moment and appreciating the horrid state of the person in front of him, he started talking. He felt like delaying the moment his task would be finished.

"Now, don't think too bad of me. After all, it can always be worse, don't you think?"

Anoi trembled in rage. This monster!

"I could leave you in here, hindering the moment you will pass away and become liberated."

So, this is his way of pitying her? Don't make me laugh!

She could feel tears forming in her eyes. She felt so helpless… Must she be always treated unjustly? What did she ever do to all of them! Those people, they are like dogs. Wild dogs. Wanting to tear her apart and feast on both her flesh and soul!

"Anoi…I could leave you here. But, wouldn't that be too cruel?.." he paused, taking in all the slight moments from the figure.

"Mmm. That would indeed be cruel." His voice lingered on the tortured cluster for a while and then he glanced at his hand,"To me."

"Well, you should thank me. Really. I will free you now. I was told to make you suffer till you let out your last breath but I don't think it matters if you leave a bit earlier. I think you suffered enough."

No.

No!

No…

Anoi cried as she tried to grasp his arm.

If she really died, what would happen? Would she be like this, a ghost, forever? Or would she… disappear with no one knowing about it?

She didn't beg anymore. She knew the man in front of her couldn't hear. And even if he could, he wouldn't listen.

Lint's face contorted in a mixture of complicated emotions. His hand trembled. He couldn't understand the unknown dissatisfaction that appeared in his heart ever since he got the task. Especially when he began the torture. Every bit of pain that he inflicted upon this woman made him angry, and now his heart was drowning in rage. Maybe this time was really too much. He thought that he should wrap things up. Get out of here fast. Surely, once he finishes his heart will settle.

Because then, finally, he will get rid of this burden that was obstructing his path.

"Lint! I swear you will regret this!" Anoi was on the verge of breaking down.

She stared at the face ahead.

Who would have thought…

She was kidnapped and tortured.

And the rumors about his methods were true.

This face, this person, that she tried so hard to avoid and yet met him daily…

How she loathed him! She hated how his actions were making her insane of fear!

"You…Can't"

The stress made the scene unfold in slow-motion, reminding her that she was nothing more but a mere observer, an armorless soul, a coreless spirit:

"Click."

He…pulled the trigger.

"Bang!"

Anoi saw the bullet slowly passing through her. She swiftly turned around to see how the silver ball pierced her physical self and…

And then silence; as she collapsed on the ground she couldn't grasp what in the world has happened.

But,

for sure, she was dead now.