Necessary Heartbreak by Michael J. Sullivan Read Free Book Online Page B

them as they walked past. Some boldly hissed and taunted the soldiers from afar, while others mocked Michael.
    The noise and catcalls unnerved him briefly, but then a strange calm took over. He began to register every unusual sight and image, mentally making note of each unique landmark. He took a deep breath in an effort to shake off the fear that threatened to suffocate him.
    The walk was slow and measured. The soldiers scanned the restless crowd, monitoring everyone as if a skirmish could erupt at any moment. Their path took them around the back of the courtyard, and Michael was astounded by how large the high priest’s enclave must be, given how far they had already traveled.
    He hesitated slightly, wheeling back to determine if Elizabeth and the woman were following him. The road behind him appeared nearly empty. A sharp blow to his back sent a surge of pain shooting to the top of his head.
    â€œKeep moving,” yelled the soldier on his right.
    â€œI am!” Michael replied angrily.
    The soldier on the left whipped the end of his spear into Michael’s right leg, causing him to stumble in pain. The other soldier laughed menacingly.
    The men on the side streets continued to yell but this time directed their jeers at the soldiers. Michael noticed that the women, all veiled, looked down as the soldiers paraded by. One of the soldiers followed his gaze. “Keep moving,” he ordered.
    All the blows he had taken reminded Michael of his early childhood days when he misspoke or did something wrong. A whack on the head was sometimes the punishment, but more often than not, it was a painful hour on his knees in a corner of his bedroom with his hands folded on top of his head. In retrospect, that penance was nothing compared to this.
    As they walked, Michael realized in panic that they were traveling in the opposite direction of the tunnel’s entrance. But then this thought brought him a sense of solace: he was drawing the soldiers away from the tunnel, which meant that Elizabeth would be free to go back home, where he would soon join her.
If I don’t wake up first
.
    He tried to compose himself but an overpowering fear for Elizabeth’s safety nearly sidelined him as the soldiers turned the corner onto a new street. Before him loomed a majestic building, cut into the hillside sweeping upward behind it. Four gigantic towers, one higher than the other three, shot up into the skyline above him. He was mesmerized by how much it resembled a medieval castle. As they drew closer, Michael wondered how this could possibly be the prison.
    They approached five soldiers flanking the grand entrance, around which small clusters of people huddled. Some of the soldiers, dressed in shining gold helmets and silver breastplates, held spears in their hands while others lazily swung round cement balls dangling from chains. Michael’s captors nodded their heads toward the front guards and were immediately allowed admission. Once inside, the retaining wall soared above them, and Michael was impressed by its grandeur. His gaze followed it upward for as high as he could see.
    The soldier to his right cracked him on the back of the head. “Don’t worry. You’re not going there,” he chuckled.
    The other soldier shoved Michael hard to the right, propelling him sideways through a small archway. The passageway was narrow and led to a dark, steep stairway. It was so tight that one soldier had to stand in front of Michael while the other held on to him from the back. Michael tried counting the steps but lost track at forty-five; the oppressive heat distracted him.
    At the foot of the stairs, Michael immediately detected a pungent odor in the humid air.
What is that smell? Dead fish?
    The soldiers pushed him farther down the dank hallway before them. The smell intensified, causing Michael to put his shoulder to his nose. The soldier on his right looked at Michael and grinned. “Is this your first time