PROLOGUE
ASMODEUS
"HE'S HERE!" I heard someone shout, followed by a huge boom coming from the door.
Everything was fuzzy. I can't feel my legs. My skin burns and my body feels numb.
I don't remember when the last time I saw some light was. I shove my face away from the entrance to cover my eyes from the dazzling light.
"Hold on there, young master," replied the familiar voice.
But no matter how hard I try to open my eyes, it seems like I have no control over my body. My lips are as dry as a desert. I have no memory of when I last had a sip of water. My body smells awful.
Am I free? Am I safe? Those were the questions that I kept mumbling to myself until I finally lost consciousness.
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I TRIED to open my eyes, but the light streaming from the ceiling was too much for me. My mind is hasty. I can't recall how long it has been. Days of torment feel like an eternity. I should be relieved that I'm out of that hellhole. Finally, everything is over. But I felt the opposite. I may be out of this room, but I'm still a hostage.
"Is he going to be okay, doc?" inquired my mother.
"The scars on his body will heal anytime soon. But I can't tell you that he's going to be okay. Judging by the state of his body when they found him, I can't imagine the misery that he had to face during his captivity," the doctor explained.
I can't help but eavesdrop. I'm sure that if they knew that I was awake, they would have sugar-coated everything for me. My parents tend to be overprotective. After what happened, I'm sure as hell that it's going to be worse than before.
I tried to move, but all I felt was pain all throughout my body. The numbness was gone now.
Every pain reminds me of the torment that I underwent at the hands of the kidnappers.
"Arghhh..." I growl loudly.
"Stop moving, Modeus!" My mother came sprinting towards me the instant she heard my loud groan.
"I'm good, mom," I informed her.
"You are nowhere fine, Asmodeus!" She reprimanded me. "Doctor, please tell my son to stop moving?" She pleaded with the doctor.
"Young master, please refrain from moving for the time being. Your body is still in the process of healing. And we still need to do certain tests to establish that you have no further injuries other from the visible ones, "he explained.
"Other injuries?" my mother said.
"As I mentioned, madam, we have no notion about what the young master has undergone during the period of his abduction. I only want to be sure that he's fine. Physically and menta—"
"I'm OK," I quickly cut him off.
"B-But young master—"
"I said I'm alright!" I yelled at him, which stunned everyone inside the room.
I have no strength to think about what they might say of my impulsive outburst. I just want to have the room for myself. I wanted to hide from their bothersome queries.
I am fine. I wanted to pretend that I was fine. But there's a demon in my head that keeps on troubling me.
"L-Let's give him some space, for now, madam."
The minute I heard the door close, I let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally, peace!" I said to myself. I close my eyes once more, trying to get more sleep.
But the second I shut my eyes, the misery and torture of what occurred to me over the past several weeks came flowing down like a cascade.
"F*ck! F*ck! F*ck!" I cursed loudly. I was shaking in fear. I was terrified to close my eyes, scared that flashes of terror would haunt me in my sleep.
I may be free from their captivity. But I feel the opposite. Now, I feel like the whole world has become my prison.
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