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Pierce was hooked. He was pierced through the back by the only two nails he had overlooked. They bent upon inward and gripped his body to the board. The lantern grew dimmer. Still he concentrated on his throbbing back and focused on the light of the lantern. He placed it quietly down on the dirt floor and increased its intensity. The lantern broadcast its light deeper into the tunnel and for the first time captured the source of the shuffling in stark silhouette.

It was a prisoner. That much was obvious, Pierce thought as he studied the form. It was silent now but moving steadily forward. Its bald head shone against the light of the lantern as it lifted its head. His face was both ashen and discolored. His eyes were rolled up but upon sensing Pierce, one quickly rolled around its orbit. The beast groaned louder and grew more frantic. It began to scrabble towards him. One eye focused directly on Pierce’s own. He thought quickly and reached under stomach and pulled his gun.

“Halt!”

The beast continued its approach.

“Halten!”

He ignored his frantic German and Pierce fired a shot. The beast reeled and lowered his head. He looked around in confusion but a moment later wound his wild gaze towards Pierce and continued to crawl on all fours. Pierce shot him again.

“Achtung, halten!”