Free Hell Bound by Alina Ray Page B

could outrun the demon. It soon dawned on him that this was part of the punishment for whatever crime he committed in his former life, that this demon was stripping him of his basic rights and freedoms.
    As the final touch, Karawan attached a chain to Craig's neck and gave it a quick tug. Craig immediately understood that he was to follow Karawan and did so. Karawan led Craig down a long hallway, with what seemed like hundreds of doors. As they passed one of the doors, Craig heard the distinct sound of a man screaming, and it halted him in his tracks. What was he in for?
    Craig didn't have long to think about what he had heard, as a quick tug from Karawan resumed their journey. Finally, the men stopped before a door that looked identical to every other, and Karawan pushed it open.
    Craig wasn't sure was he expected to find, but what he saw still surprised him. The room looked like a medieval torture chamber. Chains hung from the ceiling, and the various pieces of furniture around the room were clearly designed to hold someone to them. There was a cross in the corner, a table pushed against one wall, and what looked to be stocks against another wall. If this had been designed to scare Craig, it worked. Before he had time to react, however, Karawan led Craig to the middle of the room and chained his arms above his head.
    Acting out of reflex, Craig gave the chains a quick pull, even though he already suspected that it wouldn't do any good. Karawan walked over to the far wall and grabbed something that Craig couldn't see.
    Karawan broke his silence as he made his way back to Craig. "Have you figured out what you are doing here?"
    Craig closed his eyes and shook his head. "Apparently, I've done something wrong, but I just can't remember."
    "Allow me to explain what is going to take place. You see, your time here will be of two parts. You are here for two explicit reasons. The first is punishment. Even if you cannot remember what you have done, and that is not uncommon, you must pay for the choices that you made while your heart was still beating. That is where I come in. As a demon of the Dark Lord, I am to administer your punishments while you are here." Karawan paused for a moment before he continued, "The second, as we have gone over, is remorse. Throughout your time here, you will start to receive clues and hints as to what your life was. It is entirely up to you what you choose to do with them. That part, I cannot help you with, as I do not know what you have done to belong here. Nor do I care to know."
    Craig felt a small glimmer of hope. "Throughout my time? Does that mean that this isn't permanent? Do I have a chance to get out of here?"
    Karawan held up a single bony finger to silence Craig. "In theory. I suppose we shall just have to wait and see how it goes."
    Karawan held up what he had retrieved from the wall, and Craig could see that it was a whip. It was about six feet long and ended in a small point. Karawan raised it above his head and gave it a test flick. Craig recoiled at the loud crack that echoed off the walls. His eyes tried to find Karawan's looking for some kind of reassurance. Karawan met his gaze, but instead of finding encouragement, he found an expression he couldn't quite read. Bemusement, perhaps? Not finding what he was looking for, Craig lowered his head and closed his eyes, preparing for what was about to come.
    Karawan took his time with Craig, as he did with all of his human subjects. By not administering the punishment right away, and instead cracking his whip into the air, it built more tension and anticipation. He had seen Craig's eyes pleading with him, but he did not care. His job was to punish the humans for their wrongdoings in their life, not to show them mercy.
    Karawan again raised the whip over his head, this time bringing it down on Craig's back with another loud crack. Craig screamed at the pain, and that was all the incentive that Karawan needed to keep going. Karawan slashed at