Tables Turned

Once the broadcast entered the live stage, the audience was welcomed by the host of the show. The very well-dressed man, sporting everything red, even the mask. The neon blue logo behind him illuminated one strange and eerie feeling that made the viewers tingle in excitement about the upcoming show. After last time the viewership had skyrocketed. Fifteen thousand people were eagerly waiting for the new torturing game to begin.

-Welcome! - greeted Red, spreading his hands! - Welcome to the second episode of "Nothing Personal!" - He said and smiled behind the mask.

The chat went wild with cheers. Ever since last time, they were dying to show their passion for the show. This time however, with the amount of new people watching, it was more or so overwhelming for the moderators, being Boombox and Chains in the broadcast room to scan for good and brutal suggestions from the chat. That was a slight push back since today's episode mainly consisted of the chat and the host communicating one another in order for the victim to get his punishment. Regardless though, they were going to do their best. Boombox pushed one of the buttons operating the projector and it automatically panned to a room across the standing host in the middle. That room hid nothing more than Scythe's trophies, as he liked calling the people he was tasked with finding. Red signaled for it to be opened, and from there Hammer along with a fellow with a hood covering his face emerged and entered the main circle of the stage.

-Well ladies and gentlemen, people of all ages. Today's episode is going to be quite special for both me and you, our dear watchers. As my colleague was good enough to do, our guest this evening is probably known among those of you who have rotted inside "Dyavolsko" Penitentiary! - He said and got closer to the man, tied tightly to a chair previously occupied by Victor, who was not victorious is his own episode.

Red lifted the hood and presented the audience to a middle-aged police guard who began looking widely across the set. Once his eyes locked onto the masked man, he gasped. His baldhead and white bushy mustaches trembled as he did so. The chat immediately started bombarding the stream with threats and all kind of curses at the man. Some of course did not know anything about said person, so they remained still, awaiting the coming explanation.

-For those of you who know what this man is all about, I beg to tell you, he has not changed much. However, for those of you, who do not know this man; allow me to introduce you to one of the guards overseeing the security and the wellbeing of the cellmates in "Dyavolsko" Penitentiary, Senior Guard, Matey Zlobaski! - He said and ripped the tape over his lips.

The chat was still vigorously cursing the man, while the old man looked even more bewildered.

-What is going on!? - He asked in a thick accent.

Red grinned even wider behind his mask.

-I shall tell you! You are a part of our very interesting social show! We ask questions, or we ask the chat in the stream about what we should do. And today, you Mr. Zlobaski are a part of the newest episode! - explained Red and looked at the camera.

-I still do not understand! Why am I apart this? - asked the man looking around the set.

He was tied and unable to move, but he could clearly see this place was not some fancy studio but an ordinary house disguised as one. Not to mention, there was one small table behind the host, on which sat different tools. His mind was beginning to puzzle things together but he did not want to even think about that.

-That is a great question! Now, as I said, for those who know the old guard, I only plead for you to wait, while those who do not, I ask you to listen! - said the masked host and the camera panned to Matey.

-This man here is responsible for quite the pain...both mentally and physically! You see, as a security supervisor he is allowed at almost every section of any prison, and has almost the most authority to inflict whatever kind of punishments or other profanities.

The man on the chair seemed enraged about that. He was redder than Red's suit, and that was saying something.

-Those words are nothing but horrible lies! I have never done anything bad to any of the prisoners! - exclaimed the old man.

Red smirked behind the mask. Without a warning, he grabbed a knife, silently sitting on top of the desk and shoved it directly into the tied man's knee. He began screaming but Hammer standing behind him put another piece of tape on his mouth muffling the screams. His eyes were about to pop out of their orbits, which made Red cackle.

-Don't interrupt me! - He exclaimed and looked at the chat.

Twenty thousand people were cheering and clapping. Donations were flooding with different kind of suggestions.

"Use the hammer", "Stab his eyes out!" and other similar demands.

It was endearing how engaged these people were in the torture of a man. There was a backstory following now though, so he was bound to retell it.

-Now, as the guest rudely interrupted us, we shall continue with the story of Mr. Matey. Say, you remember the person who was wrongly accused for the murder of a girl? He is a recurring character; being this his second appearance let us name him Matt. Therefore, Matt goes to prison right? In addition, right from the gate he is met with our main guest today, that being the head guard of the prison. How interesting. Now, Mr. Matey has a kick of inflicting pain to his cellmates only because he likes doing so. But if the convicted has a portfolio larger than any regular mate does, he gets the extra special treatment. Matt in this particular situation got two of his ribs broken! - explained Red and looked at the old man.

He was still in much pain thanks to the still pultruding knife stuck in his knee, but he still shook his head, as if those allegations were just mere lies.

-Don't shake your head you old fart! Most of the people watching at home can identify all your wrongdoings! Whatever you say almost does not have any weight being in the presence of the Red Death, so might as well just admit! - Further pushed the masked man.

Matey remained stoic. He had not done anything wrong! Red looked at the comments and started reading the viewers descriptions.

-Listen to this! - said the masked host and began reading them aloud.

"This motherfucker broke my fingers when I was in prison!"

"He broke my left foot just because I tripped while he was walking in front of me!"

"He dislocated my shoulder and nearly broke my head because I was smuggling cigars!"

- These are just a few of the comments online, now are you denying these allegations as well? - asked Red feeling the need to inflict some sort of repercussions.

Matey shook his head. He was persistently avoiding the need to actually express some kind of remorse. His eyes still filled with pain now screamed anger, just by looking at his captor.

-No, again? Interesting. You are backed up to a wall and still intend to remain silent?! - That is very, very intriguing, yet foolish! - mocked the masked host and approached the table with different tools.

It was time to use the chat to inflict pain. He hesitated about which tool to pick, but finally picked a nail clipper, a little bit larger than a normal one and grinned. He then showed the camera his tool of choice and turned to face the man.

-The people on the stream are telling me to inflict as much as damage to your fingers, just as you did to one of our viewers earlier. So tell me again Mr. Matey, are you ready to repent?! - asked Red and snapped the clippers right in his face.

The old man gulped hard, everyone heard it, but did not give up his stoic behavior.

-Very well then! - Almost maniacally, laughed the man and placed the clipper onto his index finger, while his hands were restrained.

Without hesitation, he squeezed the clippers in order to…well clip his fingers. The sharp edges got closer to the meat, and once the force was enough, they started tearing the flesh apart. Even through the tape around his mouth, Matey was screaming just loudly enough to make Red even more ecstatic with the idea of clipping his finger. The force that needed to be applied in order for his finger to be cut, was quite a lot, but the masked man had a personal vendetta over this pig. Gripping the metal handles as much as possible, he finally pushed through, just so that the finger of the corrupted police guard to chop off clean from the bone. Once it fell on the floor, the chat went berserk. The donations were enough so that they could actually stop the episode and still profit…But it was far from over.

-Well, Mr. Zlobaski, how are we feeling?! – asked Red and leaned closer to him.

The man looked up with tears in his eyes. His baldhead was covered in sweat, and his eyes…dark and evil were still looking at the masked host with nothing but pure will. He was not going to break so easily.

-Good, I did not want you to break so easily…just after one finger…let us try a few more!

Red picked the middle finger this time and applied the needed pressure at start, and the finger went flying. Then the moved to the ring finger. The clippers were doing their job…well, not particularly in this situation, but the needed task was done brilliantly. The host grinned widely, as he stopped to marvel at his creation. He had only two fingers left on his left hand…the one he used to abuse everyone. Only the thumb and the pinky remained.

-Now would be a very good time for you to accept that repenting for your mistakes is not going to take such a big toll on you! You just have to beg for forgiveness, and the chat might…accept it! – said the red dressed man and looked at the chat.

"We will never forgive him!", "Kill the pig!"; "Use the hammer!"

Red sighed and the immediately laughed. They were right to be filled with rage and unwavering hatred for the man who made their stay in an already hellish place, even more of a hell. He didn't have the right to…listen to him and make him plead….we has going to inflict as much as pain to him…until HE is begging for him to stop. This time it was not just about the questions…it was about…pure unadulterated anger. The masked man turned to face the table and picked the hammer, just as the chat wanted. Now it was time to punish the legs…the legs that destroyed poor Matt.

-With this hammer, I am going to break all of your bones in your legs…because ladies and gentlemen, this demon broke our dear Matt's ribs, using his legs, kicking and kicking until our poor framed friend could no longer feel anything, struggling to breathe just because a freak like him can walk around spreading "justice". Well….let there be justice! – Yelled the host and swung the hammer.

The trajectory was well organized and with the amount of force needed, he managed to land just below the knife, still sticking out of the knee, and hit his long bone. The shattering sound of breaking bones was soo pleasant for the audience that another wave of donations flooded the screens of the moderators in the upper room. Matey who was gripping his teeth with his taped mouth could not help but scream. He could only scream and scream until he no longer had a voice to use. Red swing the hammer again, and this time the top of the head landed just on the handle of the knife, and that completely shattered everything in the knee. The dent looked ugly and malformed. Even the masked man shivered…but with chills of ecstasy.

-How does it feel, Mr. Zlobaski?

The police guard was struggling to cope with everything. Red nodded for Hammer to remove the tape, and as he did, the poor man started to breathe heavily, with rhythmic gasps and coughs. He was tired…shattered and broken, and it still was not enough to fully allow him to change. Matey looked up, and spat an ugly gob, that landed by the feet of Red. If people were too see his face, they would notice one vein throbbing angrily.

-Do as you wish… - muttered the old man and closed his eyes.

The host did just that. The hammer swung again, and again…and again. The bones that were still intact were now condensed into dust. He did not care for where the hammer would land…he only wanted to hurt him. The head finally fell onto his foot, shattering his toes and rendering the man completely crippled. Exhausted and still eager to strike, Red shouted,

-REPENT! REPENT!

Matey seemed out of it, being battered like a dirty dog. The Mask of The Red Death swung the hammer once again and just then…the old police guard muttered,

-I…r-repent…

His voice was tired, no life, no soul in it. Everything was beaten out of it. Red stopped…he dropped the hammer and looked at the chat. They were all happy that the man had finally broken down and admitted to his crimes, that he had repented for his sins. The masked man did not feel anything. He turned around took the drill and swiftly faced him once again.

-It is far too late to fucking repent! – He said and shoved the moving drill in his eye.

The following gurgling stomach screams…made all the moderators in the room above…shiver with discomfort. The drill was rotating around the eye socket, making everything one bloody shake, but Red did not stop there, he pushed, and the drill broke his skull, and penetrated part of his brain, finally exiting from the back of his head…all bloody and still rotating violently. The man was no longer moving, nor screaming…for he was already dead. Red left the drill stuck in his head and looked at his hands and overall attire. They were all bloody. The man grinned with pleasure and looked at the chat of the stream. Cheers, applauds, donations, and admiration followed, with a new high number in concurrent viewers reaching forty thousand people. Red was laughing and wheezing from inside his mask, but kept it professional, as he turned to face the camera. He spread his hands, as to announce the end of this episode.

-And with that, my friends…I can truly say that this was one holy experience for our guest, am I right!? With that being said, I wish you all a very pleasant and bloody evening, farewell, and remember…"Nothing Personal", only for Entertainment! – Delivered Red, and the broadcast ended.

As it did, he looked up to see his other colleagues in his revenge shaped crime and nodded. They did the same gesture and clapped. There were two more episodes to go…two more vendettas to be resolved. Red sat on his chair and closed his eyes.

"We're going to be back after a short intermission! Stay tuned!" – He though and grinned.