The puppet user's eyes darted wildly, flicking back and forth as Ty's foot pressed down harder on his chest. His breath came in shallow, rapid gasps, every movement a struggle against the weight that pinned him to the ground.
"I'm... sorry," he whimpered, barely able to get the words out. His lips trembled, his voice cracking as tears streamed down his dirt-streaked face. "Please... I don't want to die..."
Ty's glowing red eyes stared down at him, unblinking. The flames swirling around his fists flared, casting long, flickering shadows across the puppet user's broken body. For a brief moment, the flames seemed to subside, and Ty's foot lifted slightly from the man's chest.
