Yesterdays Gone: SEASON TWO (THE POST-APOCALYPTIC SERIAL THRILLER) (Yesterday's Gone)

peeping into their thoughts, Desmond had to believe him. Luca had been privy to Desmond’s every thought, so if he had been tuning in, surely he’d have seen the good and bad, and judged Desmond fairly. Desmond was sure that compared to the others at The Sanctuary, his thoughts were downright decent. He could only imagine the depravity running through someone like Rei, who probably got off on torturing small animals, or people, while making others watch. And who knew what weirdness ran through John, who seemed so straight laced, but whose weird smile hinted at something weird or wicked underneath.
    Desmond tried to think of himself before he broadcast THAT image, and polluted whatever innocence Luca still held onto. He imagined a field of flowers, cleansing his mind’s canvas.
    The sound of locks on the outside of the door severed Desmond’s thoughts and tensed his body. Light spilled into the room from outside as shadows fell on the stairs and footsteps echoed into the chamber.  
    Desmond   took advantage of the light and scanned the dungeon to get an idea of what was what. The room was ten by ten, with concrete floors. He was strapped to the wall facing the steps, while Carl and Luca were strapped to opposite walls to his left and right, respectively. Carl looked up, groggy and emaciated. Desmond wondered if they’d even fed the kid since locking him down here days ago. His pants were stained with shit and piss. His shirt, like Luca’s, had been removed and his chest was covered in purple and black bruises. Luca, thankfully, showed no signs of abuse — yet.
    Jesus. Is locking someone up not enough of a punishment? They have to torture him? If they tortured Carl, one of their own who happened to disobey “the law,” what the hell will they do to us?
    Desmond swallowed, waiting for Rei.
    Rei stood at the top of the stairs for a moment, out of sight, probably trying to make them anxious. He then descended the steps slowly, seeming to savor each step as if it were delivering a wound that he would be echoing soon enough.
    “Tsk, tsk, tsk,” the weasel-faced fucker clucked as he stepped into view and walked up to Desmond, stopping just inches from his face.
    “What have you done? Breaking our Laws? Shooting one of our Brothers? God don’t take kindly to acts of violence against your Brothers, Desmond.”
    “I was trying to save Rebecca,” Desmond said, “Since nobody else seemed willing to step up. Or aren’t the lives of children as important here?”
    “She was in God’s hands, and from the looks of it, she wasn’t dead, was she? Who do you think you are to step in and try to intervene in God’s plans? Do you think you’re above Him?”
    Rei removed the belt from his pants and took his time winding it around his fist, as he spoke, “Answer me, Desmond, are you ABOVE the Lord Almighty?”
    “It wasn’t God who put her in a box,” Desmond said.
    Rei smiled, pulled the belt tight, then swung, hitting Desmond hard beneath his right ribcage.
    “Fuck!” Desmond screamed as pain ripped through him.
    “Ah, there it is, the Devil’s filth coming from your mouth,” Rei said, his eyes flashing a glimmer of hate as he swung again, this time hitting Desmond in his gut.
    Desmond took the punch in silence this time, though the pain was no less acute. He would not give Rei the satisfaction of hearing his cries.
    “No more filthy Devil words?” Rei asked, hitting him again in the gut.
    Desmond winced as Rei stepped closer. “You’re a manly man, aren’t you Brother Desmond. You’re strong. You know everything, and all the ladies love you, eh?”
    Rei punched him again, this time in the center of Desmond’s chest, emptying his wind.
    “Stop it!” Luca shouted as Desmond gasped for breath.
    Rei spun on the ball of his right foot, and raised a fist at Luca, “You want some, too, boy?”
    Desmond didn’t want Luca taking his punishment. He called out to Rei, “Hey, pussy, you gonna hit a boy? Why don’t you take my chains off and we’ll settle this, just you and me, since you think you’re so tough?”
    Rei turned back to Desmond, eyes on fire, just inches away from Desmond’s face. He reached down, grabbed Desmond by the balls, and squeezed tight.
    Desmond cried out, unable to hold the pain inside, as Rei squeezed tighter and pulled. Rei’s little weasel mouth pinched in a tight, angry smile.
    “All balls, eh, big boy?” Rei said.
    Desmond spit in his face.
    Rei’s face went bright red