Chapter 8: The End of Defiance

My vision began to blur, and my body went limp as Halsin's grip continued to constrict my airway. I felt my legs give out, and my knees buckled, but Halsin's hand kept me upright, holding me in place like a puppet on a string. My struggles grew weaker, my movements becoming more erratic and uncoordinated as my brain was starved of oxygen. Halsin's eyes seemed to gleam with a sadistic pleasure as he watched me succumb to his grip. His face was inches from mine, his hot breath washing over me like a wave of death. I tried to scream, to beg for mercy, but all that came out was a faint whisper, a dying gasp that was lost in the air. My body began to shut down, my muscles seizing up as my brain was deprived of oxygen. My vision narrowed to a tiny pinprick, and I felt myself being pulled down into a dark abyss. I tried to fight, to struggle, but it was too late. My body went limp, and I felt myself slipping away, my consciousness fading into nothingness. Halsin's grip relaxed, and my body crumpled to the floor, lifeless and still. The patrons of the tavern seemed to snap out of their trance-like state, their faces pale with horror as they stared at Halsin and my lifeless body. Some of them backed away, their eyes wide with fear, while others seemed frozen in place, unsure of what to do. Halsin stood over me, his chest heaving with exertion, his eyes gleaming with a sadistic pleasure. He looked around the room, his gaze sweeping over the patrons, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of defiance in his eyes. But then, his expression smoothed out, and he turned to leave, disappearing into the night, leaving my lifeless body behind. The patrons of the tavern seemed to stir to life, their faces pale with shock and horror. Some of them rushed to my side, trying to revive me, but it was too late. I was gone, my life extinguished by Halsin's cruel hand. The tavern erupted into chaos, with patrons screaming and shouting, trying to make sense of what had just happened. But for me, there was no more sense to be made. I was dead, and that was all that mattered.