"Hurry up."
Time ticked by, second after second. I shivered, trembling, while the fat man before me whimpered. I raised my hand and pressed it against his body.
With a sharp crack, Dreadstar lashed his whip again. My fear grew worse—I sobbed. Just then, Dreadstar pointed to the furnace nearby, its flames burning violet. Several Black Hat Enforcers grabbed me and dragged me to the side of the furnace.
"No, no, please—no..."
One of my hands was forced closer to the furnace, and then a wave of scorching pain flooded my body. I screamed, the sound sizzling in the air. I cried out, but they held me down so tightly I couldn't move at all.
"My hand—ah, my hand—ah... ah..."
Staring at my burned hand, I broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. But then, the hand began to slowly regenerate, growing back bit by bit.
"Hurry up. I'll give you one more chance. Otherwise, tonight, you'll suffer this torment over and over again."
Dreadstar snarled the words. With a cry, I rushed behind the fat man, raised my hand, and froze with it poised over his back. I couldn't do it—I was terrified.
"Fine. Tonight, I'll make you taste—"