Standard Operating Procedure: Chapter II

The first thing I can recall is the dirt
face down, the grit in my teeth, caked around my nose and mouth
I still cant open my eyes or maybe I can
tied, in the dark, I didnt even realize I was making noise until they came and got me
The brightness of the new day burned my retinas
"where is he...where is he"
I look around the camp nervously as they drag me through the dirt
I black out
new surroundings, cold tile floor, acrid smell.
this must be where the torture happens.
I search my mind and look down upon myself, stripped.
I only know my name. I know my rank. I know my country.
repeating the words over and over in my mind until I hear footsteps
lots of footsteps
the creak of a door behind me, it shuts but does not lock.
three men crowd the room smelling of musk and shite.
I realize I am on a table, an embalming table, not good.
"kde su"
I open my eyes, memorize faces, and watch.
"KDE SU KDE SU KDE SU"
"when I find my brother, you will find them."
A small man whispers translations into anothers ear,
"keď som nájsť môjho brata, nájdete je"
Suddenly theres a gun against my temple its still hot, and it burns
I watch as they take out a disgusting pair of pliers, and begin the mutilation.
death before dishonor
my thumbs are first I can feel the ridges of the pliers pinch my skin and nail, as they force it up then pull it out from my skin.
index, middle, ring, pinky. one by one.
i try not to look at my hands, reserve my strength, I hate the sound nails make when they drop to the floor, I also hear something metallic be knocked off by the fat man.
now I can feel a blade the tip just in the nape of my neck.
it was like rendering chicken skin, tilting my head sideways and pulling it up hard and cutting slowly and sharply, the serrated edge making what I imagine cheese grater ears I now possessed, the blood pooled in and around my ears, made my face hot, surprisingly I could still hear everything.
Three men stare at me, and I stare into them. They ask questions I do not understand.

Its unfortunate I killed their general. All I can think about is Chris. Im not dead, or a stump, so they need me for something...but what?
Three men exit, I hear the door open, I hear the door close, and it does not lock.
I hear footsteps fade away, and I look at the ground and smile at my upper lobes, fingernails, and blood. Not a good look for them.
I roll off the table, onto my feet, my hands and legs are still bound, I lose my balance instantly and hit the floor with a smack.
I wriggle across the floor, turn over on my back and grasp it in my hands, lighter.
I burn my palms about three times attempting to get what I figure is a flame behind my back because its burning my skin, is blood flammable?
i drop the lighter and pull my arms apart, nothing. I try again, I burn my back with the cord, this time it shakes loose. I turn my wrists and struggle until I get them free, then start on my legs. Success.
I listen, nothing. I stand up wipe the blood and dirt off of my face, spit, and wait.
The three men come back into the room one at a time
I stood behind the door waiting for this moment. 1 down heavy door to the face. 2 strangulation against the back wall, the fat man watches, as the door slams shut, and does not lock. He was already reaching for his pistol when I disarm him with an elbow to the mouth, I have him on the ground, knee on his chest, gun in his mouth.
"where.the.fuck.is he?"
"Americký trash"
One shot, 5 left. one of his teeth ricochetes into my forehead, where it remained.
I carefully open the door, kicking the bodies aside..and walk slowly down the corridor. He is here. he is alive.