The cave was silent except for the soft drip of water echoing in the background. All eyes were on Melcin. He lay there, bathing in his own vomit, tears, and blood, his body convulsing slightly, muscles twitching from the pain.
His face was a mess, blood streaking from his nose, bruises swelling across his skin, but his eyes... his eyes were what drew everyone's attention.
They twitched, flickering as if trying to focus, but there was no power behind them. His mind was awake, painfully aware of everything.
The humiliation, the overwhelming pain, the despair that wrapped itself around his broken body like a vice.
He could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, the judgment, the shock, and worst of all, the pity.
