Writing

So I finished the first chapter of Dark system yesterday. Now I know that it doesn't sound like much, but it is about 6000 words. Yes, the first chapter is obscenely long, long enough that I had to break it int sub-chapters.

I am looking foward to starting the second chapter. I have no idea how long this book will be when I am done, but even if by some miracle it does end up short I have plenty more story.

Anyway, I don't have much else to say right now. SO here comes chapter 50 of Torn. Now a slight warning, I went with the advice for a full blown Jack, so if you have a weak stomach you may not enjoy the coming Jack chapters. But I feel that he needs to be as full force as I can stand, just to show how evil he really is.

Have fun!

Torn
50

The sun hadn’t yet risen, but Jack was already up and grinning.

He stood over the restless, sleeping body of the elf. He was trying to decide the best method to wake him up.

He focused his attentions on the mind of the elf. The body on the floor stilled as the dreams faded.

Jack then convinced the sleeping elf that he was starving.

He left the sleeping elf to prepare breakfast.

Within moments the scent of cooking meat filled the cavern. Jack could hear the elf moaning in hunger as he started to wake up.

Jack looked around. He wanted to find the worst bit of food that he could. The elf was so convinced that he was starving that he would eat anything.

Despite his best efforts the most revolting food that he could find was the dried, salted beef that Malchevio had brought early during Jack’s stay in the cavern.

Even still Jack shuddered at the thought of eating any more of that.

One advantage that it had was that the salt would dry out the elf’s mouth, and then Jack could use water as another source of fun.

He walked into the chamber where the elf was. Picked up the body and tied the legs to a chair. Jack left the arms free so that he wouldn’t have to force feed the elf.

He returned to the other chamber, retrieved the food, and took it to the chamber where the elf was.

The elf glowered at him. Jack smiled in return.

Jack set his food down on the table and started eating. The elf was forced to watch from the other side, unable to reach any of the food.

Jack watched the elf’s reactions closely. Finally, about halfway through his meal he saw the reaction that he had been waiting for.

He reached into a pocket and pulled free the dried meat. He tossed it to the elf.

The elf caught some of the meat, some other pieces he missed.

He was ripping at the caught pieces before the others even hit the floor.

Jack poured himself a large glass of water, and waited for the elf to need it. In the meanwhile he continued eating his own meal.

***

Meal completed, and morning food torture out of the way, Jack sat opposite the elf. In his hand he held a long blade. He slowly pulled it across a sharpening stone, purposefully drawing out the sound of the steel on the stone.

The elf had resumed his glowering sometime after the smallest swallow of water had been granted. Jack didn’t mind the attention.

For the longest time the only sound was that of the steel and stone.

“Are you going to kill me?”

Jack looked up, and laughed. It wasn’t a question he got very often. The answer was usually obvious.

He laughed again, then looked the elf in the eyes. “Of course.”

“Then get it over with already.”

Jack suddenly had the feeling that he had given the elf too much food. There was too much conviction in the voice, not enough fear.

“In good time. I’m not done with you yet.”

“I’m tired of these little games you play. How about you just get rid of me so that you can go find a new toy.”

Jack burst into laughter. “You weren’t told about me were you?”

The elf glared.

“Be glad that you are my only toy. If there was another I could have so much more fun. You would both live longer, but with so much more of a wish to die.”

“Well kill me already. I’m sure you can think of many things to do with a dead body.”

Jack stopped smiling. “Yes, but live ones squirm.”

Blade against stone. Silence. Repeat.

“You are the first of my toys to talk to me in some time I’ll have you know.”

The elf snarled. “Go to hell.”

“Oh I would so much like that. Of course I don’t think they would have me. To many toys and temptations, they wouldn’t be able to get me back out to do my job.”

Jack examined the edge of the blade. It looked sharp enough.

He walked over to the elf, grabbed his head and pulled out three hairs.

He dropped each hair onto the blade, each from various heights.

Each hair split into two as it touched the edge.

Jack smiled.

He could hear the elf’s breathing become raspy as his throat dried out again.

Jack needed to go and find something.

He tossed the rest of a glass of water at the elf, watched for a moment as the elf licked the precious moisture from his skin and then went for what he needed.

Within a few moments he was back facing the elf again.

He held the knife to the elf’s skin. He felt the skin grow cold beneath his fingers.

“You can see that this knife won’t be near anything vital. So the more you struggle the more it will hurt, but it won’t kill you.”

He made a small slice. The elf yelped.

“Oh, and by the way. You had better stay awake for this. If you let yourself pass out from pain it will only take longer.”

“Wh-wh-why?”

“Because… I like having my toys awake. So this won’t continue while you are out, and it’ll only start fresh again when you wake up.”

Another slice.

The elf screamed.

Jack smiled. The sound was music to his ears.