After what felt like hours; days; weeks, the pain subsided.  Its release on my body found me on the floor, struggling to simply breathe.  The sharp burning that pierced the results of their merciless blows left me half-conscious, unable to stand on my own; unable to let the realization spread through my mind.  I let my weight fall upon the wall behind me, sinking to the ground, the pain too unbearable to withstand any longer.  Pitching