This time Luca screamed. The new blow felt like fire. The old strikes were lighting up with new pain across his legs. He felt tears running down his cheeks now as he turned his head to glare at the Commandant again.

"Even if I don't mean it?" He knew he wasn't supposed to speak unless it was to say what the Commandant wanted to hear, but he couldn't resist. There was a part of him that had to question everything. But it was difficult to keep fighting when everything hurt. He hated pain. He hated discomfort. He just wanted this to be over.

But even if he gave in, the nightmare wouldn't be over. It never would be.