Hiya, Dusty!

First off, the love the complete uncertainty of the narrator '...or some other name like that...', '...probably a man...', etc.

I'm finding a great pattern here with reporters and gore, and yet, you keep doing it better every time. Never gets old. :D

'marginalia'
-Great use of the word here.

'Unfortunately, he is no doctor, nor is he an assassin, so he has just missed the man's heart.'
-Nice. I think this line just adds to the realistic tone of the story, which, as I mentioned before, I'm really digging.

Great work again, Dusty? Contest closed yet? O_O

-Gobs, your reviewer from the you-know-where with the yadda yadda, I'd tell you to come check us out, but you're so cool, you've been there from the beginning. :D

hm interesting.
Excellently written, I pride you in that.

Interesting twist, wasn't expecting that, but maybe I just don't know my history too well. XD

Great job and good luck in WCC!

"It can be felt, like the subtle rolling of the heating water in a pot just before it starts to steam and boil."
I LOVE that description.
Your voice is wonderful, and the way you narrate makes the story much more interesting to read. Your descriptions are fantastic- its very easy to picture the scene.
My only suggestion would be to work on 'showing' and not 'telling.' Though you did well with this throughout most of the story, there were certain parts that could use a little work, for example:
"Patric got the courage to turn the man over. One of the corpse's eyes was missing. That's when Pierre realized what he had stepped on upon entering the cell. That's also when the two realized the man was breathing and very much alive."
Interesting story! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work!

To Mr. E- I personally think all martyrs are hapless victims, and are only made martyrs because of what other people believe. I think this guy's death would look like a sacrifice to people, so therefore he's a martyr in their eyes.

To Veg. Serial Killer- Nice job. I'd watch your tense usage. There's a point in the conversation between Constantin and the man where you go into past tense by accident.

~Rich.

I read your story and find myself somewhat confused. In what sense of the word is this man a martyr?

My understanding is that a martyr sacrifices their life or freedom to further the cause or the beliefs of many. Unless I have overlooked this (in which case you have my apologies) I would describe the mutilated man as a hapless victim, not a martyr.

First of all, creepy beyond belief. Congratulations, since I know that's the emotion you were going for. I can honestly say you reached it. You have a morbid ability to describe gore in a such a visual way that I (unfortunately) was able to picture the story as it went along.

Ignoring the fact that I'm not a fan of such gore, this was a well-rounded piece and holistically, it was well-written. The ending caught me by surprise, and it leads me to wonder about the Constantin fellow.

This was great, (and it's a good thing I haven't eaten yet) and you have my vote wrapped up.