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).