It only takes a few moments to be dragged back to my cell. Thankfully they locked the crook of their elbows into my armpits because my wrists are both raw. Unfortunately it also kept me higher off the ground so when they heaved me across the threshold into my cell, it was enough to knock the wind out of me. I managed to mostly protect my head but struggled to refill my lungs.

The door had been shut promptly after they let go and no one had shackled me. The cold floor felt good against the side of my left leg which had been in contact with the ground when I was shocked the third time. I now remember it being a smooth steel plate that the table and chairs were positioned over.

The electricity must have knocked something loose because I now have random numbers floating in my head. Some are dates, some pins or lock codes, and what I believe may be my social security number.

Somewhat recovered now, I crawl to the wall and use it to help me get up. Keeping my right hand on the wall to steady me, I slowly walk the perimeter of the room. An unexpected weakness causes me to put more pressure on my right hand and I feel the crust of the burns on my wrist crack and begin to ooze.

The door- gingerly I touch it with my left ring finger. If I were to lose it or it become useless, I figured that one wouldn’t be too bad a loss. There was no ring, dent in the finger, or discoloration that would indicate I previously had one. The door is cold, not electrified, appears to be reinforced, and the hinges are exterior.

I push on it knowing it couldn’t move but hoping it would. I test the slots but they do not pivot, slide, or capitulate to any other form of directional input. The door has no window, gap, barred opening or keyhole to peer through.

The next wall holds the window and I stay tight against it to limit the chance of being seen. I see the blue sky with clouds that move rapidly. Shifting under the window and to the other side, I still see nothing but sky. I slide down the wall to sit and think. The floor holds no answers and I lean my head back against the wall; then I see it. In the dark upper corner of the room is a dome camera; so much for reconnaissance.

Weakly standing, I push back from the wall and try to get the best view out of the ground level window. I see a gravel path across the grass speckled dirt strip just outside the bars. Beyond that, an open lot with a few steel-sided buildings that rest at the edge of a tree line comprised of evergreens. The droning sound seems to emanate from the direction of the buildings.

Pressing my face against the stone, I strain to see more. Behind the buildings, the trees begin to rise with the topography on my right visual limit. To the left, the clearing extends approximately 800 yards to the far-side of the clearing.

The cell is cold and the wind whips through the window causing my eyes to water. As the air blows my hair back and also billows out my shirt, I catch a whiff of myself and slightly gag. My five-gallon bucket in the corner is over half full. Though I know it would smell worse in here if it were warmer, I’m cold and not sure that the smell would be the greater evil if I could stop shivering.

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