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The torturer sees Melissa's
entire body go limp. He hits her several more
times to make sure. He has gone as far as
he can.
It is a pity she did not confess, he
has no choice but to take her to the next
level, before ending with her for the day.
He has that other wench to deal with
and needs to save his energy.
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He gives Melissa one last lash.
This part of his task is almost done.
The torturer leaves the whip to the side and
approaches his victim to see how she is.
It was not his intent to finish her
off in one session. He has trained well, he
has a certain pride in his work and has been
called back to perform these services for
the priests many times. He mastered the talent
to punish while keeping them alive. He
is paid for that, to keep them going all the
way to hell and back and hell again. Until
they confess.
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He cups Melissa's bald
head with his hand and raises it.
She is breathing, she has not died.
He knows this, but he wants to make sure.
He looks at her face, so peaceful in that
moment. He is overcome with tenderness. He
wishes he could take her home with him, heal
her wounds, he knows how, give her food and
water. But that is not his task.
Just thinking about it troubles him.
She must be a witch, he thinks, as he moves
her head around, up and down, trying for a
response.
There is none, just the harsh sound
of her breathing.
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She is completely unconscious. There
is one more thing to do and this part is over.
The test of the mark. He has been told
to look for the mark of the devil. It is a
grim task but necessary.
He lets her head fall again and takes
the thin, long mark-finder which is stuck
in the wooden post, above the nun's head.
It was placed there as a threat.
The time of the test has come.
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