I can't see, I can't breathe.

My arms despairingly crawl in the dirt, aimlessly trying to navigate this dark place.

My lungs inhale the stale, hot air. It's an odor of death.

My fingers dig deep into a mushy matter, they dig deep until they find a solid surface to support the painful weight of my own body.

I grovel through the mud of rotten flesh, decomposed corpses continue to drop and crush me.

I see no light at the end of the tunnel.

I see no flower on the mountain of carrion.

No one cares, no one ever will. This city devours us.

I hear sobbing in the dark, another victim. She's too loud, she's fresh meat.

A scream, a cacophony of screams.

Gurgling, guttural sounds. Grunts, growls, and echoes of primal rites.

Tears no longer dwell in my eyes.

All I wish is to move, even barely an inch away.

Many streams of blood pour onto me, I wish not to lift my head, but I'm drowning.

It's what they created, I can feel the metallic stench of their sadistic art in my nostrils.

Begging won't help. Man, you're too far gone.

These chains that hold you, my ounce of strength can't break them.

The worst is yet to come. Don't hold me down. I've to get away.

Too hot, too humid. Hills of fungus, upon me.

Signs of the primeval necropolis, a sign of a safe space, before things turn worse, much worse.

I simply... must push forward, put the fears away, there is no time to waste, or for doubts.

Eat, consume, greedily absorb. This hunger will never wane, but becoming like them is a much fatal fate.

It tastes dull, a flavorless sponge.

I'm alone and afraid, searching for answers for as long as I live.

Why is this place all I know? Why do I feel like I'm lost? Why do I feel like I'm searching for someone, reaching out to me? Why do I wait, to see that person again?

A gentle tune, it was always calling me, like a soft whisper in the dark, like a humming melody.

Yet, I know, I can never escape.

Even If I strive to not give up, what will become of me?

My heart, mind, and soul are breaking down.

You're the only hope I see.

I can hear them, they gather around me, they can hear every single breath I take.

My heart is aching, I don't want this.

They drag me by the legs, laughing, I can't escape. Are these my final moments?

I can feel the rough ground, skulls are piling up underneath me.

If there is anyone, how could this happen?

I beg, help me.

They mock my pleas.

Barbed wires, sharpened steel, rusty edges. Fences made of spines.

The infamous circus carousel.

It awaits me.

My last meal.

Shattered glass, with a venom sauce.

I chant my last prayer, but I'm not sure who am I even praying to.

They shove my face into the bowl, its contents lacerate my cheeks.

The refusal is not an option.

I surrender.

She is there, to spoonfeed me.

I can hear their laughter, it won't leave me until I'm dead.

My throat, it hurts. Dear agony.

Take that pain away, wake me up when it's over.

Their wicked smiles, I can tell it's real, I can forget about what brought me here. I can't get out. I can't escape. I am their slave.

The second spoon, her hands are trembling.

Don't pity me, don't wail over my corpse.

What... what happened to my eye? I watch how they point their fingers out at me.

They helped her, the spoon missed.

She's on her knees, the pale princess.

I'm on my knees, a prince in crimson.

The third spoon. Please save me.

Don't say another word, they say, they have heard it before.

Sign, while you eat. Sign a million times.

Another taste, I'm shaking. The hymn of misery fills the air.

I can see the cage, it's ready for the carousel.

The fourth spoon. I can't do it, I collapse.

It's you or her, they say, but I'm not a hero. I doubt anyone would care.

I hear my name, called desperately. How does she know it? How would I know...

I'm weak, I can't push it harder. I can't look her in the eyes.

All the promises I've broken, they will eat me alive.

The lowest of lows... the biggest of cowards... her hand is reaching out to me.

Don't do it. Don't beg me. I grit my teeth, it won't come through my lips.

Full breakdown, she is chuckling nervously.

Let me kill him, let me take his crown.

They ignore her pleading.

The cross is ready, but I will not watch.

They tighten the ropes, they sharpen their knives. She's thrashing around, screaming, fighting.

Unlike me. I can't wait until everything finally comes crashing down.

Until it's over.

Until the war is lost.

Why can I still hear my name?

Save me.

Save me.

I'm afraid of pain, of death... but why do I hesitate If it doesn't matter.

One last spoon... my hand trembles...

They turned, watching. Clapping, applause.

She's let free, but not forever.

I close my eyes, hoping to fall asleep, dream once I'm done.

Carousel awaits, our prince.

Delusions.

Venom courses through my veins, its blazing heat is unbearable. Every broken piece of me, every broken piece inside. It tears me apart.

Fall asleep inside my arms.

I hear a soft lullaby.

The shadows of jesters are shifting rapidly, like in confusion.

Is the ground shaking?

The sky is falling.

They scatter, she walks away.

I have no strength to get up.

There's no one to blame but myself.

Parts of the ceiling crash next to me.

I only wish to roll around and see the sky for one last time.

Hah, but all I see is everlasting darkness and that person's face. The face that I do not even know.

You're not here.

It's over now.