"Want to trade?" a voice said. "Beauty for freedom."
He wasn't sure who said it. Is someone there? Perhaps it came from his own mind.
"Love." the voice spoke again.
"I..." he stammered.
"What else do you have to offer?" the voice interrupted.
His answer surprised him. "Everything."
Some time passed.
The voice said "Look at those hands."
"Mine?" he wondered.
"Yes. What will you use them for?"
"I act and feel with them."
"But only me."
"Yes."
"Then you might as well give them to me." the voice said. He felt someone grabbing his hands.
"I guess you're right.". He handed them over.
"Now kiss my hand."
He did.
He felt something heavy on his legs, immobilising them. He couldn't move.
"I need my legs for walking." he said.
"Where are you going to walk? Away from me?" she said.
"No."
"You will stay by my side always?"
"Yes."
"Then you won't be needing them, will you?"
"But these shackles are so heavy."
"You will get used to them. You will love them."
"But..."
"Now kiss my feet."
He already loved them.
"Who whispered in your ear?" the voice said before he had a chance to act.
"No one. Only you."
"But someone else might."
"I guess so."
"Only me. I better have them. Give them to me."
As the voice spoke, he did what it said.
"Whisper in my ear that you love me."
As he stretched out, a slap stung his cheek. "Who did you look at?", the voice snarled.
He tried to protect his face, but failed.
"I..."
"You are not able to handle your own eyes, are you? Let's have them."
With a last glance at the world, he let go of his eyes.
On the way to nothingness, he smiled all the way. Well, he would have, if he just hadn't given away his mouth.
He was home. Gone.