Narration:
The medical team reported that Loma's ear would recover in seven days. As for his right hand—ripped nails meant he wouldn't be able to shake hands for at least fourteen days. He needed complete rest.
Darok's expression softened slightly, but rage still simmered beneath the surface. His mind was consumed by a single thought: "How dare they do that."
He stepped into Loma's room and found him unconscious. The steady rise and fall of Loma's chest barely reassured him.
A doctor entered and, upon seeing Darok, let out a small, surprised "ohh…" before speaking.
Doctor: "You can take him tomorrow night. We'll discharge him then."
Darok nodded silently. The doctor left, and he stepped out after him, the weight of his fury pressing down on him like a storm cloud.
[Scene shifts to the prison]
A guard approached the Fangs' boss, his voice low but urgent.
Guard: "Boss… the No. 2 of RDX isn't turning insane. Nothing we do seems to work."
Boss: "What?"
Guard: "We put worms in both his ears—it's been a day. We chopped off his fingers. Denied him food and water. Still… he won't break. He's determined."
Boss: pauses, frowning
"Let him die, then. It can't be helped."
Narration:
And so they left Xoza to suffer—his throat parched as dry as desert sand, his stomach empty, aching with hunger. Alone in that cell, he endured the cruelty of the Fangs. He might die… and for what?
[Scene shifts to Xoza]
Xoza's mind raced:
Help me… someone, please… I'm so hungry… so thirsty… just a drop of water… a morsel of food… don't I deserve mercy? Why were we captured? We didn't even fight back…
He trembled, tears streaking his face.
I'm sorry, Vamos… I'm sorry, Loma… I'm sorry, everyone…
In a faint, almost whispering voice, he spoke:
Xoza: "I remember when I first met Vamos… when we formed RDX… such good days those were. I wish… we could go back…"
He curled up, silent sobs escaping him. The memory of laughter, camaraderie, and simpler times weighed heavier than the chains of his present suffering.
Chapter 56 – End