Leon Van Michaels left his apartment an hour before the gas explosion ripped through the top two floors of the building, although his was on the ground floor . So it was not this accident which killed him .

The young man, who had lived alone for almost two years while studying at University, crossed the road towards his part-time job, as a large truck came speeding down the street . It stopped barely in time for the red light, so it was not this which killed him .

AdvertisementAfter he finished for the night, he returned home as the heavens opened and a full storm swept across this sky . Lightening struck a tree half a mile south of him, tearing it in two, but clearly this would not kill him .

Soaked and suddenly finding out that he could not return to his apartment, neither the landlord nor neighbouring tenants thought to inform him, he was forced to find a very cheap motel for the night . It was there that he died . The owner was arrested the next day for manslaughter and failure to comply with basic building regulations to name but a few of his crimes . But that would not comfort the man who had suffocated due to carbon monoxide poisoning, his soul had already moved on .

*****

Leon awoke from sleep due to eruption of agony . The worst source emanated from his gut, but his face, arms and legs felt great pain and hurt to the point he would wish to die . He could not open his swollen eyes to discover why he felt so bad, but he knew from the hard wood beneath his side that he no longer lie upon a bed . As he writhed in warm wetness, he felt something being shoved between his cracked lips and he instinctively swallowed it . The throbbing pain and loud beating of his heart that drowned out all other sound eased enough as words began to reach his mind .

"You are too kind, Tor," a smug voice drawled . "That trash doesn't deserve your pity!"

"No, I think you are too harsh, Caprian," came a cold response . "Sure beat him for not complying, but do not kill him . Even your money might not cover up his death by your hands . "

"Of course it would," the first male replied, haughtily .

"Psst! Do we have the pills yet?" A nervous voice came from a distance, behind a door perhaps?

"Grab what we need," came the instruction, followed by a swift kick causing an additional burst of pain . "Should you live, you shan't be so foolish as to defy me next time, fool . " The metallic taste of blood shot from his throat into his mouth, which he instinctively spewed out . "Ugh, mind my boots, do you know their worth?!"

"Caprian,"the cold voice warned . There was the sound of a door opening and shutting and then nothing .

Leon could do nothing, but softly groan as the pain overcame his senses and plunged him into darkness