Strapped to this steel table, my body is confused. I’m still hyper-alert yet simultaneously exhausted, back freezing, chest burning from the heat of the lights. They abruptly extinguish and the HVAC system stops. There is no light or sound, only the unrelenting cold. My eyes rapidly dart but there is nothing to perceive in this infinite blackness. I can hear my heart racing; I breathe deeply in a box pattern, trying to bring it under control. Thank God, it’s slowing.
“BEN!”
My whole body tenses in startle reflex, heart rate far exceeding previous bpm. Veni’s voice then returns as a whisper.
“Are you thinking of her right now?”
“I d-d-don’t know what you’re t-talking about.”
I need to keep my teeth from chattering, show no weakness.
“Emily. Do you suppose she still thinks of you?”
Damn his tone. He’s mocking me with the memory of a wife I just remembered I have. I take a breath and steady my voice.
“I don’t know any Emily.”
“Your lies are so pathetic, Ben.”
An echoing “clunk” resounds with the lights returning to almost full intensity. So much pain, my eyelids can’t block out nearly enough. I can feel his presence and make the effort to open my eyes. Veni is sitting on a stool a few feet away, overlooking me.
“Perhaps everything about you is pathetic.”
He inspects me like a piece of meat. I wonder what comes next. Hopping down, he begins to undo my bindings.
“Get dressed. There are clothes for you on the back table.”
“I can’t get up.” Mostly numb, my body won’t respond.
“As expected. I will assist you.” Veni steps forward and flips the table. The sound of steel on stone amplifies the pain as I roll over my left side, ending up on my back again. Is it pain or just the tingling of things waking up? No, it’s the worst combination of both.
“That wasn’t very helpful.” I say, willing myself to move. Apparently having the will does not make a way.
“If you can’t help yourself, perhaps you will help someone you love? освещение!”
Just over my left shoulder, another light turns on as I hear a female scream that rises in pitch and fear. Adrenaline through my system gives me enough strength to raise my head toward the sound.
“Emily has given us a great deal of information, but her usefulness has come down to this.”
I have no idea how that could be her. Why would they waste time bringing her here? The guard standing there punches her in the stomach. With a grunt, she falls out of view and I hear her body hit the floor. My mind isn’t clear. That could be her, can I take that chance?
I can only see the guard now as he gives her a few swift kicks. A mixture of groans and sobs twist me inside.
“This will continue until you talk to us.”
He nods to the guard who lifts the woman into view only to punch her back down. Her screams intensify my empathy. They sound like Emily. Oh god, what if it is her?
“Stop! Stop! Let’s talk about this!” My volume is an indication of my seriousness.
“Very well, speak.”
“Let me see her first.”
“You long ago forfeited any chance of negotiation.” Veni’s gesture causes the guard to continue the abuse.
“Ok! Ok, ok. If I tell you something will you let her go?”
“Despite your annoyingly persistent attempts to bargain, if you give me what I need, I will consider it.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Who sent you?” The monotoned exasperation at asking this question again allows a slight accent to his otherwise perfect English.
My sarcasm is on mute but I have to weigh my options. His eyes are boring a hole in me. I must be thinking about this too much because Veni interrupts me,
“Do not test me; worse things can happen to her.”
Looking him dead in the eye I say,
“Ivannikov sent me.”
“Ложь.” Veni obviously does not like my answer. He angrily grabs one of the lights and points it directly at my face. I squint trying to see what will happen next, my muscles refuse the request to raise my hand to shield my eyes.
“приведи ее ко мне”
The guard drags the woman in and Veni walks over to her body now crumpled on the floor. Picking her by the hair, he draws and places his Vektor pistol against her head. His calm veneer now stripped away, the malevolence is manifest. I can barely make out silhouettes.
“Why have you come?” He demands.
“You know why.” I know he knows why now.
“Ben, PLEASE!” Emily’s voice, engulfed in fear, pleads for my capitulation.
It’s paralyzing. It sounds like Emily. His thumb cocks the hammer back. I try to speak again but nothing comes out. The light fades, goes out of focus, and disappears.
“I can’t see.”
The shot echos off the walls, a dull thud against the stone, black out.
<Previous POTM 14 *Consider starting at the beginning; it’s worth it.
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