#killer!david

[dbd-the-swap-au]

I Don’t Know What I’m Calling This Chapter

Another chapter that I don’t have much to say about. Other than how despite the fact that I had no idea where I was going with the design, Killer!David successfully intimidated both my mom and my aunt. I’d call that a win.

Also, if anyone has questions about the AU or for the characters, the askbox is always open!

[luciscet]

Some ship art and gift stuff for my friend. @bearsthirst @gaykapkan

[wanderingsongbird]

Consider; Corrupted Kate / Killer David 👀👀👀 -BearsThirst

[ask-feral-frenzy]

“..David...?”

@bearsthirst

[arabidzombiewrites-archive]

Hopeless Survivor

Summary: Five survivors in one trial and Dwight’s the one unlucky enough to be the obsession. Word Count: 2836 <<First <<Previous Next>>

“See? Not so scary up ‘ere once you climb out.” David’s smile was contagious despite Dwight being pretty sure that if anyone was going to fall off the roof and die it would be him. David probably realized the nervous man was still scared; he wrapped his arms around Dwight and pulled the smaller man closer. Secure. “I’m not lettin’ you fall.”

Dwight’s first instinct was to pull away; he did not have good experiences with being held. It was never something soft and gentle and comforting. Even as a child the only time anyone wrapped their arms around him was to hold him so that other people could get him, or to carry him off and throw him or something that would ultimately lead in him feeling scared, hurt, or both. If he pulled away on the room there was a chance he could end up falling. Or, worse, he could start to fall and then David tries to stop that from happening and they both end up getting hurt. Dwight had to take a deep breath and force himself to not pull away.

He even began to relax after a moment. This was David, who could clearly floor someone with a punch, but had never made any indication that he’d want to hurt Dwight. The pizza boy took another deep, calming breath and nodded, “You won’t let me fall; got it. I’d feel better if we were inside where there wasn’t a death-drop.”

David laughed, “This fall ain’t gonna kill ya.”

“Fine, bone-breaking drop,” Dwight huffed.

David rolled his eyes, “Broken bones ain’t so bad. Look up; this is worth it.”

Tearing his eyes away from the edge of the roof and the bone-breaking drop took effort, but when Dwight was able to do so and looked up like he had been told he realized that it really was worth it. Above them was a cloudless expanse of star-filled sky. Even though they weren’t really that much closer compared to ground level, it felt closer. Dwight felt like he could reach up and pluck a star out of the sky.

He tried and it earned a laugh from David. It was Dwight’s favorite part of that night. Second favorite part. They would talk a little bit more, Dwight could settle against David and actually relax. They shared stories about childhood; their parents. David’s anger issues. Dwight’s self-esteem issues. David’s drinking. Dwight’s night terrors. David would shift them so that they could lean in and Dwight could get his first and only--

----

The Entity was cruel. Dwight thought that when he was hanging from a hook or running from his life from some killer or other, but he especially thought it when he’d get to dream something from before he was stuck going between trials and the campfire and then wake up before the best part. No one really knew what it was that Dwight dreamed about. They never really cared to ask; there were more important things to worry about. Everyone knew when he had a good dream, though. Instead of him thrashing and groaning and sometimes screaming he would look peaceful. Happy. Then he would wake up and remember how far away that dream really was and his shoulders would slump.

No one really knew what happened when someone lost hope. That was the running theory about why they were all there and why dying never made anyone actually stay dead. Maybe the Entity needed their hope? Maybe the Entity was just entertained by it and this was all a big game? Either way, no one really knew what happened when someone lost hope, or their entertainment value, or whatever it was that kept them stuck in their loop of life, fear, death, rinse and repeat. No one really said it out loud, but out of everyone Dwight seemed like he would be the first to find out.

He wanted to survive. He was not shy about telling everyone that helping them was the best way to save his own life, but there was something about him. No one asked about that, either. They probably did not have to. Dwight did not always feel like he deserved to live. He often took greater risks than he had to to save others. When escaping would be the easy way out, but staying back put him at risk. He would stay back every time. He would try to make sure everyone else had a chance to get out. He would try to save them. They were all so great and could do so much, and Dwight was just Dwight. He had never had any great talents. He had never had a supportive family or many friends. In the Entity’s realm he did not have much of anything at all. He was friendly with the other survivors, but he was awkward and shy and had a hard time getting to know them. Jake was closed off. Claudette was awkward and shy. Feng Min was-- Dwight could easily name ten times she had left him to die in order to save herself. She did not even hesitate. He hadn’t really made friends.

Dwight would have continued to dwell on his situation or maybe he would’ve tried to drop it from his mind and instead watch the other survivors in the hopes that there would be an opportunity for him to join the in conversation and actually make friends; he did not get the chance to do either. The feeling of the Entity clawing up from the bottoms of his feet through his body and into his brain was is warning about another trial. It was a feeling he had gone through before, but that hardly made the pain easier. It was like a preview of what would come if he was sacrificed. It was good motivation to get the gens done and escape instead of just giving up and letting himself be taken. The game was probably no fun to the Entity when the survivors stopped trying.

The campfire faded and Dwight felt the sensation of freefall. When his feet touched dirt he found himself at the MacMillan estate. It was the very first map he’d ever been in, which did not bring up pleasant memories. A quick look around revealed that Dwight was with Nea, Claudette, Ana, and Jake. He did a double-take, looking from one face to the other. He counted them three times. That was not normal. Not normal usually meant not good.

“The Hell?” Nea seemed to share Dwight’s confusion. “Five of us?”

Jake did not look nearly as rattled by the events. “Maybe we can get things done faster.”

“Or maybe this is some kind of bad omen?” Dwight said. He looked around, half expecting to see something horrible jump out at them. Nothing did.

Ana sometimes tried to communicate with the survivors around her. She did not seem to have any interest in it this time and instead left the group. She was efficient, but was not exactly a team player. Dwight was always a little weirded out by her, but she was in as bad a situation as any of them and did not deserve to have fellow survivors treat her poorly. The Killers were awfully enough as it was.

“She’s probably going to go start on gens. I think the best we can do is split into pairs. I’ll go with Jake, we can work faster together. Nea--”

“Decoy duty,” Nea said flatly, “I know. Pop up, get attention, then hide and distance myself. Pop up again, keep the Killy running around so you don’t get killed.”

Claudette gave Dwight a small, encouraging smile, “I’ll make sure she gets patched up if anything happens.”

Dwight nodded, “Great. Let’s go, then.”

It was good that everyone had settled into what they were doing. Sometimes it worked, sometimes the killers figured it out and the decoy was ignored in favor of patrolling generators. They would try what they could and change things up if they really needed to. Dwight was fully prepared to abandon the generator and distract the killer if Nea wasn’t able to.

It was less good that Dwight felt kind of useless. He was never the best leader, but that was his thing. Without that he was just the extra survivor. Purposeless. He sighed and shook his head, trying not to think about it. Luckily Jake did not seem to notice Dwight’s inner struggle. Or, if he did notice, he did not say anything about it. Dwight appreciated it.

Things went well for a bit. Ana must have gotten a generator done on her own. Nea and Claudette did not seem to be in much trouble. Jake and Dwight got two more generators. Things were going suspiciously well. Dwight wanted to take that as a sign that they would finish up and get out quick, but he had a sinking feeling about the situation. Something seemed off. He glanced around, not sure what he should be looking out for. He hadn’t heard the Nurse’s scream, or the Wraith’s bell. There had been no giggling or electrocutions. No chainsaws revving. That only left the Shape, the Trapper, or the newest one. The Scrapper. Dwight hadn’t actually been in a trial with that one and, from what he heard, he hoped he never would be.

“I’m gonna take care of some hooks.” Jake’s voice startled Dwight. “Better safe than sorry.”

Dwight nodded. Normally he would not want to have anyone going alone, but things had been quiet. Easy. He decided to find a generator to help things alone while Jake dismantled the hooks. Only two more and they would be ready to open the gates and run back to the safety of the campfire. If five-person groups became the norm, Dwight would not complain.

Not long after that the fourth generator was fixed. Dwight was relieved. Still no screams of pain. Still nothing to clue him in on who they were facing. He found a generator and began to sneak towards it. Maybe they’d get through just fine. Maybe there was no killer and the Entity was just toying with them. Seeing what they would do. He hoped not. He had a very clear image in his mind of the Entity as something dark and terrifying; adding a sense of humor to that did not blend well with the rest of that mental picture.

Dwight got his first clue about who they were up against when he made the mistake of stepping in a bear trap. The scream that tore from his throat as the metal dug into his legs was sure to let the Trapper know where he was. Dwight gulped and looked around. No big, scary murderer had emerged from the fog. That was good. He tried to undo the contraption, failing a few times before actually getting it. His leg throbbed with pain. Every step aggravated that feeling. He was sure he left a trail of blood on the ground.

He decided against heading for the generator. Since he was pretty sure he had the killer’s attention it seemed best to stay away from the one thing the survivors really needed to be around. He picked a direction and ran as fast as he could on his wounded leg. It did not take long for the telling sound of his head beating desperately in his ears. The Trapper had found him and was close. Knowing Dwight’s luck he was probably the obsession. It made sense; if the Trapper was focused on finding and killing him it might not have bothered as much with Nea.

The Trapper growled behind him, getting closer. Dwight’s heart beat so fast he thought it might burst from his chest. His feet pounded against the ground despite the horrible pain in his leg. His steps were out of time with the heavy footfalls behind him. Around him were crows, their caws reminding him of the mocking jeers of bullies that he’d dealt with all his life. Dwight was not sure how much longer he could continue. He ran as hard as he could, but he was not going fast enough. He closed his eyes, steeling himself for the blow. The sacrifice. If he was lucky there would not be any useful hooks in the area. Or maybe someone would be able to pull him off before the Entity came.

Closing his eyes had been stupid, but Dwight never liked seeing the end coming. His mistake was made more apparent when he ran into what had to be some kind of wall. It was sturdy and did not move when Dwight smacked into it. The nervous leader fell back onto the ground and flinched in on himself. He knew this was it.

The cleaver that Dwight had expected never came. There was no sharp, stinging pain of the rusted tool ripping into his flesh. Instead the wall Dwight had bumped into growled back at his pursuer. There was a tense moment of animalistic noises above Dwight. Growling. Dwight curled further in on himself and covered his head with his hands, as though that would help. It felt familiar, somehow. Not really in a good way. There was a roar above him.

Dwight was caught between wanting to see his savior and being too scared to look. What if the thing was only chasing the Trapper off so it could have Dwight sacrifice? What if this was not a savoire, but a new predator to fear?

He had never heard of two killers in one trial, but he hadn’t really heard of five survivors, either. Maybe it was because he had lost hope. Maybe the Entity realized he was useless. Maybe this was what happened; some mystery killer appeared and dragged the hopeless into the shadows. Dwight did not want that. He was not sure he could take any more pain. His body shook as he held back tears. He didn’t want this. He never wanted this.

The Trapper grumbled low in his throat. He hissed. Dwight almost hoped the Trapper would win. At least he knew what would happen after the hook. It was better than the mystery horror that awaited him. He looked back and peeked an eye open. Dwight opened his mouth to tell the Trapper to take him. That he wasn’t hopeless. That he didn’t want whatever was coming. No coherent words came out. Just a pitiful sob. The Trapper’s head tilted, his attention shifting down towards Dwight. He raised his cleaver and brought it down. Dwight flinched, as ready as he’d ever be for the blow.

The new killer reached out, blocking Dwight. The cleaver dug into its arm, only stopping when it hit bone. The new killer grunted; whether it was in pain or some kind of response to the Trapper, Dwight did not know. The Trapper tugged his weapon out of the other killer’s arm. He hissed again. The other killer roared. The Trapper snorted and cleaned his cleaver off on his arm, then turned and left. For the first time in his life Dwight was upset to see the Trapper go. He was left with the new killer and the possibility that he’d never end up at the campfire again. Maybe he’d die for real. Maybe it was something worse than that. He hoped not. He really hoped not.

Slowly Dwight turned his head to at the thing that stopped his usual tormentor. He could not quite make out what he was seeing. It was as though his eyes could see the killer, but his brain refused to make sense of it, keeping it hidden. Like it was too horrible to recognize. The figure was larger than him, much larger. Broad shoulders. Powerful. It was dressed almost normal. Dark jeans stained with old blood. Heavy boots. His torso was bandaged. Bloodied. His hands were wrapped like a fighter’s up to his elbows. At first Dwight thought he was wearing brass knuckles. Then he realized the metal was not worn over the wrapping. It was bursting through it, as though bone had been forced out and then somehow hardened to metal. Some kind of tattoo, dark with flecks of light that reminded Dwight of a survivor just before the Entity accepted the sacrifice, slithered up from the arm wrappings on one side. It stretched up to the killer’s neck and formed into a rose.

The killer’s face had a full beard. His nose was crooked, having been broken one too many times. His teeth as he grinned down at Dwight were sharp, more like a wofl’s grin than a human’s. His eyes were what struck Dwight as being the most familiar. He had seen them before. Dwight’s throat went dry as realization hit him. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He closed it. Tried to swallow. Tried to speak again. It took two more tries before he could force out a single, shocked word.

“David?”

[aviatorhead]

I love that Killer!David's ability is to punch people in the face. Thats just fits him so well

Sometimes i forget that david wasn’t the lovable bear i make him out to be. He used to go start fights n shit just because he liked punching stuff, so i kinda tried to base his killer around that.

im still gonna make him a lovable bear to an extent tho

[queenevaine]

A Killer!David/Ace request!  Be warned, there is a lil bit of biting.

Ace didn’t like worrying about possibilities if he had no way of uncovering the truth of the situation.  It was a needless concern that he didn’t stress himself with, it would only serve to bring him down.  Yet when David went missing, he couldn’t help being concerned.  It was no secret to the others that they were intimate, but the precise details were always lost on them.  Ace liked to keep it that way, even if David sometimes bragged.  He had taken the downtime he had now to wander into the woods, and see if there was something he could find that would reveal information about the scrapper’s whereabouts.  He was concerned that David had picked a fight he shouldn’t have.  

The woods always seemed to repeat the same few trees over and over, providing nothing distinct in navigation.  Eventually, Ace knew, he’d find himself back at the campfire.  He was good at noticing minor details, small things that others would have missed.  He nearly missed the small gashes on the tree that definitely was not there before.  They were almost like claw marks, and Ace found himself curious enough to walk past the tree and into the forest behind it.

The trees were littered with these marks, getting larger and deeper into the bark of the trees.  At its heart, there was a well marked cabin, and Ace could instantly tell that the humble exterior betrayed an extravagant interior based alone on the door’s decorations.  He walked up to the window and pressed himself against it to look inside, seeing well cushioned couches and chairs, and mounted animals on the walls. Huntress doesn't do fancy, last I checked.

He gasped at the sudden grip around him, his first instinct to scream and try to free himself as he was lifted off the ground.  Strong arms were tight around his waist.

“Here I thought you woulda been happy to see me!”  

David?  Ace calmed down, looking over his shoulder at the man that was undoubtedly David, despite being much taller and stronger than Ace remembered.

“David?  Where have you been?”  

He was set down, turning to face David.  David wore obvious animal pelts around his shoulders, with brass knuckles that resembled teeth.  

“Been a little busy. Don’tcha worry yourself about it.  I wouldn't hurt ya.”  

There was the unmistakable terror of the possibility that David could hurt him; that David wasn’t a survivor they could count on anymore.  Ace watched David walk over to the door and easily push it open.  

“I promise ya, love.  I’m not gonna hurtcha.  Nothin’s gonna change between us, yeah?”  

Ace took a deep breath, slowly developing the characteristic smile again.  

“You had me worried.”  

The inside of the cabin was every bit extravagant as Ace expected.  It was more like a small mansion than any sort of simple cabin. The loveseat was extremely comfortable, and he found himself lying back in it.  

“How do you ever manage to leave a kinda place like this?”  

David laughed loudly, sitting on the other cushion and giving a wide, toothy grin.  

“You should know me by now!  Come on, love.”  

Ace shrugged, then resting his arms behind his head.  

“Touche.  I don’t think I’d wanna leave.”  

David’s grin grew devious as he wrapped his arms around Ace and pulled him close.  

“Who says you have to?”  

David shifted in the loveseat to have Ace lean against his chest.  David’s hand moved to turn Ace’s head to press gentle kisses against his cheek.  Ace let out a calm, deep breath, opening his mouth to speak when he felt the distinct sharpness of teeth bite into his neck.  He gasped quietly, looking over his shoulder at a smirking David.  

“I missed ya a lot, love.”  

“Let’s make the most of it then, huh?”  

[queenevaine]

Fun story I wrote after a wild plot bunny hit me, under the read more!  (It is a DbD story.)

Before I paste the 4 page story in my google drive, I wanted to tag @aviatorhead for indulging my anonymous asks and giving me wild plot bunnies for this game!  I really hope you enjoy it :D  And now for the story I spent all day writing!

Another day meant another trial, more hair-raising, nerve-wracking tests of survival against monstrous killers with unyielding resolve to destroy anything else that was human.  The areas changed every now and then, from farm fields depicting a terrible fate of its residents, to disturbing asylums and hospitals.  The occasional normal neighborhood or schoolyard always held an air of unease, instilling that none of these places would ever shake the fear and horrors that happened.  

Dwight found himself in a trial in a new area, narrow streets with flickering street lights, littered with broken bottles, boards, and with sprawling alleyways.  This area was new, which typically meant a new horrible monster be chased by, and another horrid ability to learn or be swiftly sacrificed.  The anxiety of the silence was almost unbearable; he swore he could hear shouts and things breaking from across the street.  A dim sign was held outside a building with the door ajar, nearly falling from its hinges and reading ‘Pub’.  Despite the simplicity of the sign, it made his heart sink into his stomach.  

The only person Dwight had ever known to say ‘Pub’ was David King, the fellow survivor he often found himself paired up with in trials.  Dwight had grown to like David, who was actually rather caring and selfless underneath the appearance of harsh and antagonistic, at least to those he called his friends.  It was out of the blue that the two became so close, with David’s blunt attitude, and Dwight’s naturally nervous demeanor.  

Dwight jumped as he heard a distinct smash of something solid.  A wall, maybe?  He couldn’t think of any killers that would make a sound with the wall.  He breath choked in his throat, it had to be the new killer that belonged to this new area.  In more trials than not, Dwight was the leader, guiding his fellows to safety beyond the gates and back to the fire, to begin again.  To hear an impact when his own heart wasn’t beating in his head was alarming.  How hard was this killer capable of hitting?  Did the Entity create a monster capable of always taking them down with one hit?

He knelt to start working on a generator.  In a crowded alley behind the Pub, it seemed like a good place to start, and keep out of sight.  The back wall of the pub had a partially collapsed wall, a window to jump through and a fully collapsed wall just around the corner of the alley.  By this point, repairing a generator was as known to any of the survivors as the back of their hand.  Dwight wished it wasn’t the case, he didn’t want his mind wandering.  No one had seen David for some time, he was the only one who ever talked about Pubs, they were warned against losing hope, in case they would become the killers they feared..  

Then, Dwight felt the pounding of his heartbeat in his head.  He took a deep breath, focusing his attention on how rapid his heartbeat was.  He would be okay if it wasn’t too fast.  It started accelerating, and he felt panic set in.  This wasn’t usual, he normally could keep himself under control, manage himself to make it out alive.  He felt himself breathe faster.  Was it louder?  He heard a scream, before panicking and bolting off the generator that he himself had screamed.  Who was this new lunatic?  And why were they able to instill such fear in him?  

His heartbeat slowed, and he allowed himself the opportunity to slow down from a panicked sprint and recollect himself.  He still had to keep moving, but he at least had time to slow down and think.  He highly doubted he wanted to run into this killer.  He maneuvered through the crowded alleyways, finding another generator.  He could see a couple lights turn on, the other survivors getting one generator down.  They seemed to be doing well, but he knew too well that could change in an instant.  

And he was right, when a scream sounded from across the streets.  Someone on a hook, and then another.  What went wrong?  From behind a trash can, he spotted the new Killer, a hulking man with countless scars and what looked to be some kind of animal skin draped over his shoulder.  While he held no typical weapon, his own body probably counted as one.  Brass knuckles glinted under the dim light, and Dwight made a mental note on them, the spiked knuckles stuck out too badly for him to miss it.  Those would undoubtedly be excruciatingly painful.  

He turned to the hooks, determined to get the others off of them.  Both Ace and Feng gave their thanks to Dwight, Meg keeping the Killer preoccupied.  It didn’t take long for Meg to be hooked, and again after they had healed her injuries.  The Killer turned to Ace, focusing on him until the Entity couldn’t be stopped.  It then focused on Meg, forcing Dwight and Feng to run, but not before taking a beating from fists and knuckles alike.  Oddly, the Killer never hooked Dwight, and he assumed this Killer had some obsession with him for the round.

As Dwight moved to a generator to try and power the gates, to allow him and Feng to escape, he felt his heart pounding again.  He took a deep breath to maintain his focus.  He heard the silent jump Feng tended to make over window ledges, bolting across the street.  The Killer had to be chasing her, and he was going to get generators done.  Until, the generator was stained in red, and he was yanked off the generator and pinned against the wall, letting out a cry as the Killer leaned in close, showing sharp teeth in a twisted grin.

“And what ‘ave we ‘ere?”

Dwight’s voice failed in his throat.  That definitely was David’s voice, but this wasn’t the David he knew.  It sent a chill up his spine when David laughed as he shrank into himself, a low rumble more than a normal laugh.  

“Don’tcha worry, sweet ‘eart.  I’ll be back for ya.”  

Then the pressure was lifted, and Dwight felt the distinct crack of brass collide with his ribs. He fell to the ground with a mangled cry, one arm underneath his body to cradle what would now probably bruise like nothing else he had experienced in his life.  There were a few moments of silence as Dwight tried to think past the shattering pain, Feng’s scream sounded out across the area.  This was the end, but just maybe Dwight could escape the hook for this round.  He crawled away, moving to try and hide in a corner amongst garbage bags around a dumpster.  Somehow, Feng managed to lose her trail and tend to her injuries, her footsteps soft as she scaled over a window ledge.  

“Dwight, where did you crawl off to?  I’m not staying long for you.”  

“Over here.”  His voice was weak and strained, and he couldn’t help but wince.  All the survivors knew basic first aid at this point, a medkit speeding up the process.  Rough bandages were wrapped around Dwight’s chest, and he nodded in thanks to Feng.  The pounding in his head grew faster, and he knew this wouldn’t end well.  They split up, Feng heading up the street while Dwight ran to the Pub.  His heartbeat slowed, even just slightly, and that gave him a slight relief, and slight concern for his fellow survivor.  He heard another scream, and immediately turned to where Feng had run.  

She was struggling against the Entity by the time Dwight made his way to her.  He didn’t have time to wait, and made a dash for the hook.  

“Gettin’ carried away, ain’tcha?”  

A firm grip clapped down on his shoulder, yanking him away from the hook.  Dwight let out a scream, of fear and of regret as he couldn’t at least save Feng from the Entity’s grip.  The menacing toothy grin returned as David held Dwight to his chest.  

“Told ya I'd come back, and ya didn’t even ‘ave the manners to wait!”

The choking fear kept Dwight from saying anything, only managing strangled whimpers.  He kept his eyes glued shut, refusing to see the Entity take his friend in front of him.  It didn't matter how selfish she tended to be, how determined she was to ‘win’ whatever game of survival she saw this as.  He couldn't leave anyone behind.  It was a cruel fate to be forced to hear the struggle just a few feet away and be unable to wrench himself from David's grip.  The rough brawler was always a strong man, made moreso with the Entity’s help.  

“David..!”  His voice strained against the grip, trying to break free.  “Let me go!”  

David’s laugh nearly drowned out the sound of the Entity finally taking Feng.  

“Lighten up, sweet ‘eart.  Gonna ‘ave some fun!”  

Dwight winced at the sudden bear hug, lifting him off the ground and squeezing his already bruised ribs.  Squirming was painful, as each breath caused a sharp stab in his chest.  With a harsh thud, Dwight was thrown against the ground, dull polished wood underneath him.  He sat against the nearest wall, desperately trying to compose himself.  David’s arm pinned him against the wall, head forced upright.  

“Y’know, I’m still real fond of ya.  There just ain’t much to be arsed with being something’s plaything with no way of lampin’ the fucks giving me a beating.  I’m willin’ to take a risk for ya, if ya wanted to join me sweet ‘eart.”  

To say there was no temptation to accept would have been a lie.  No one had any doubts the two had close feelings, and yet Dwight couldn’t bring himself to accept.  He couldn’t abandon all hope of going home, even if there was no real point in it.  Anything was better than a life in this foggy hell, wasn’t it?

With a sigh, David lifted Dwight to his feet.

“Shame.  If you’re ever arsed to change your mind, we’ll ‘ave another chat then.”  

With a toothy grin, Dwight was slammed against a wall, then the world went black when he heard a sickening crunch, and a distinct jolt of pain in his jaw, and then nothing.