The sound echoes through the entire prison. Every RDX member hears it.
Loma (shocked, trembling): What… are they doing to them…
Guard (coldly): None of your business… Alright, kid. Time for the pliers.
Loma (panicking): Hy.. waittt… don'ttt—
Despite Loma's screams, the guard's face twists in irritation. He clamps the rusted pliers around Loma's tongue, the jagged edges digging into the soft flesh.
Guard (low, menacing): One more word… and I'll tear this out.
Loma freezes. His whole body stiffens, sweat dripping down his forehead. The worm wriggling in his ear makes his skull throb, the pain gnawing at his sanity.
The guard lowers the pliers to Loma's hand, a twisted grin spreading across his face.
Guard: Ready, kid?
Loma (screaming): No!! Don'ttt—
The pliers snap down. RIP.
A nail tears free. A white-hot flash of agony shoots up his finger like lightning. Loma jerks violently, his scream echoing off the cold walls.
Tears stream down his face. His chest heaves, desperate for breath.
Loma (screaming): STOPPPPP!!!
The guard chuckles darkly, setting the pliers to the next nail.
Guard: Don't faint on me now. We're just getting started.
Loma (pleading, broken): Please… please… no…
RIP. The second nail is torn off.
This time, Loma doesn't even scream right away—his mouth opens, but only a strangled gasp escapes, his throat burning. His skin turns pale, sweat mixing with tears.
Loma (thinking, his vision blurring): This… shouldn't be happening…
His hand shakes violently, blood dripping down his fingertips in warm, sticky streams.
Loma (thinking): Why… can't this just stop already…?
The silence after his broken cry is heavier than any scream.