The shackles held tightly around Theterm’s wrists. Short, strong chains connected between wrist and ankle shackles forced him to bend slightly forward. He closed his eyes tightly, shutting out intense bright lights, the heat of which caused sweat to pour from his body.
“Guilty,” he said weakly.
“Speak up,” a voice echoed.
Theterm tried to clear his throat, but he lacked the strength. His mouth was dry, and he knew his words didn’t mean anything, so he kept silent.
“Speak up!” another voice demanded.
Theterm mustered all of his strength and managed to say, “Please,” before collapsing.
The heat of the lights ceased, and a third voice much closer and kinder said, “Pick your punishment.”
“Darkness.” Theterm smiled before everything drew darker and colder.
Theterm sat up in his bed, his entire body drenched with sweat. His fists and teeth were clenched tightly. “I haven’t had that dream since I first arrived here,” he muttered as he put his feet on the floor. “Dack’s failure to control himself will cost me everything,” he said as he stood slowly.
It’s not his fault, a voice echoed.
“I know. It’s mine, and I’m sorry,” Theterm said as he stretched.
We are all coming, you know.
“Dack will be here first. I’m prepared to tell him everything,” Theterm said as he moved toward the window.
Like Lucan?
“He’s not like Lucan.”
I’ve seen no difference yet.
Theterm sighed as he looked outside. “You’ll have to trust me, if you still can.”
There is no trust, only control. Finish what you are there to do.
“What about Lucan?” Theterm asked. There was no response; he knew he was alone again. “He’ll be here before they arrive. I’ll need to be prepared,” Theterm said aloud as he looked out at the clouds. “Dack will need to be prepared.”