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.

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.

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.

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.