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The bit in 324’s mouth only protected their teeth from chipping and muffled their screams. The hood over their head prevented them from identifying their abuser and suspended them in pure darkness. An abyss of pain. Restraints kept them still on their knees. The floor hard and cold. Sweat and gas coalesced into a frightening aroma. Sweat meant fear. Gas meant a flame for boiling.

324 tested the restraints, imagining which boiling liquid this time. Water? Oil? Or worse? They recounted the last few sessions. No. It was too soon in the cycle for water or oil. It must be—

Scorched and scalded. Blistered and bubbled. The most unimaginable pain. This was the worst. The worst it ever got. The liquid poured onto 324’s skin and took the first few layers with it as it found a course down their bare shoulders, naked chest, and exposed stomach. It hardened. Crystallized. Sweet and harmless, the boiled sugar formed a sticky system of scars down their body. Blood followed and cooled. It soothed. But not long until—

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

More sugar. Hotter than anything, it never let go. It clung and peeled. A copper taste filled their mouth. 324 punctured their tongue again as the bit’s design allowed. They were so tired from screaming. From sitting upright against their will. The smell of their skin boiling made them vomit against the bit.

The abuser paid no mind and poured another ladle on.

For. Hours.

This went on for hours. Until they choked on their vomit. Until they dehydrated from the tears. Until there was no skin left.

324 wanted to die as the abuser cradled their raw body and laid them tenderly in their bunk. No outward sign of remorse from the abuser. Just 324’s shame in their exposed nudity and regular mistreatment. They cried out as their skin touched the sheets. Too raw. Too bloody. Heat roiled off their scalded wounds. They gripped their abuser by the wrist before the hooded person could leave.

One word of kindness. Please. Such a small mercy. Please.

But it never came.

As the bunk door closed, 324 removed their hood and stared into the same darkness that filled their heart. With no hope left, they resigned themselves.

It was time.