They had brought in the new TV late Friday night, all fixed and shining new. The next morning I turned it on to watch the news. Static blared on the television for a few minutes, then the picture came into view.

It wasn’t the news. No friendly news anchor telling me the weather.

Instead it showed a figure in chains. He was completely naked, save for a cloth that hid his private parts. His arms were as thin as tree branches and his ribs poked out behind broken skin. His head was bent, and his bare feet slapped hot earth. Fire danced in the background; flames licked his torn and broken skin. Huge beasts waved in and out of view, beasts with horns and claws and big leathery wings. Every time they got near him they would slash at his skin, ripping it open to reveal fresh blood.

Then the figure looked up at the camera, revealing a face. A face I recognised.

“John??”

His mouth moved as he stared intently at the camera, formed words.

“Elisa, help me…”

“I will, John!” I shouted, running to the television, banging against it, screaming to let my husband go from this hell the television was showing me.

Then flames leapt out of the television and seared my palm. The air seemed to grow hotter and hotter until sweat dripped off my face.

I let go of the screen with a shriek.

“Sit DOWN!”

The voice seemed to come from nowhere and somewhere all at once, distorted, otherworldly. Something blasted me backwards until I was sitting on my couch. Chains snaked out of edges and wrapped around my limbs until I couldn’t move.

John continued to moan. I struggled against my chains, begging to be let go, begging to let John go, but it was no use. I was paralyzed in my seat.

“You THINK I DON’T know? God always knows…”

Memories flashed through my mind. Our son. That damned, god-awful spoiled brat of a son. John wrapping his arms around his neck. I was horrified, but I knew no one would believe me, so I stayed silent.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but another force made them fly open. My mouth was dry from screaming his name.

But all I could do was watch helplessly.