I shouldn't have volunteered for this… why do terrible things happen to good men like me?
The thought burned painfully as the prisoner struggled to reconcile his foolish choice with the terrifying reality he now faced.
There were no tears left to shed as the adrenaline had dried them from his eyes.
All he could feel was panic and regret swelling inside him.
When the elders had asked who wanted to act in the play that night, he had been among the first to raise his hand, eager to impress, eager to gain favor.
The thought of performing a harmless role, even a little dramatic, had seemed exciting.
But now, with the sting of the slaps still burning on his face and the voices of the elders ringing in his ears, he understood the full weight of his mistake.
His knees trembled as he realized that every decision he had made that evening had led him here.
"I'm such a fool!" he screamed inwardly, his thoughts filled with bitter self-reproach.
