I’m nervous about the questioning.
They have me in this chair, a bright light in my eyes.
My neck is tightening with the collar around it; I fear I may choke.
I’m coaching myself: You’ve been through this before. You know what to do. Say nothing.
The more I tell, the more they have to use against me. Against my family.
I can feel the heat rising.
A man dressed in black.
It is time.
He leans forward, a blade before my face.
“Are you a local?” Silence. “What do you do?” Silence.
He applies cream and begins to shave.
(A new 100 word story by TLG).