I saw them overcome, one by one
My friends, my neighbors, even my family
They were mesmerized by the black magic
It was easy to just give in to it
Only the strongest were able to resist
Their reward was torture and death

I remember my own struggle with the dark side
Those momentary lapses of conscience
I would catch myself believing the lies
Then some unconscionable act of inhumanity
Some violent, inexcusable evil
Would awaken me back into the nightmare

Some have called me lucky to have survived
With only a number embellishing my skin
But this number is seared onto my soul
It will follow me through eternity
For I too was dragged to the edge of the abyss
Where I saw the face of eternal Hell