Torn between duty and despair, he worked. Handing equipment that sinked through the flesh of the victim. Dark blood covered each of them, inviting demons that awaited their return.

For hours he stood, sprang side to side by deep voices of authority. He watched in horror, as the victim fought for their life.

Seconds turned to minutes. Minutes to hours, long before the shiny metal of destruction was removed. And placed on a steel platter of imprisonment.

As he watched it slide, looking for escape, it stared back at him.