What Would've Happened

Hell

(Day of disappearance.)

Mac:

I hammered the bolt into the tanks side, keeping the scrap of metal in place. We were at our new base camp in the middle of the desert in Iraq. I was missing my girls like crazy. Sean and some other patrolmen went out to scout the perimeter. I was busy fixing a tank. I liked working; it kept my mind off of my girls back home. Being in my full army uniform, bullet proof vest and all, I was smoldering under the sun.

I grabbed my water bottle, and took a small sip. At the feeling of liquid running down my throat, my body instantly wanted more. Yet I resisted the urge. I didn't know when my next water break would be, so I needed to save this.

I heard the sound of dust crunching behind me, yet I paid little attention to it. "Hey, general! When's our next water break?" I called over my shoulder. I didn't get a verbal response, but a bag went over my head. Immediately, I flailed my arms around, trying to hit my attacker. My fist connected with some fabric, and flesh. I heard an accented "oomf!" I tried ripping the bag off, but another set of arms wrapped around my waist and arms, binding them to my sides. I struggled to get free, but a fist hammered into my stomach. I felt bile coming up, and my knees felt kinda weak. Now I know what Angie felt. I thought grimly.

Suddenly, a small rag slid under the bag, and covered my mouth and nose. I inhaled a sharp scent, and my kicks and struggles weakened. Blackness swamped my vision.

....

I woke up on the cold hard ground, my wrists bound in front of me. A bag was still placed over my head, and a rag tied around my mouth. I squirmed on the ground, and I heard someone bark something to me.

"استقال تتحرك! "

I recognized it as Arabic. It stood for, "Quit moving!" The army made us learn Arabic. It was fairly difficult to learn.

I growled, and squirmed again. Then I heard the cocking of a gun. I stopped moving instantly. Suddenly, I was yanked to my feet. The rag was removed from my head, and I blinked. I was in a red stoned cave, with several foot imprints in the ground. I glanced around, and my stomach dropped. A skeleton sat in the corner, polished white. It had the remains of a military uniform. I recognized the dark blue camo that the marines wore. I swallowed, and was shoved out of the cell. The guy had a black face mask covering his identity. He shoved me forward, down a narrow hall that was lit by torches. I could tell we were under ground.

We walked for what seemed like ages, until we came into a larger room. In the center was a wooden cross. I swallowed as I was led over to it. There was a stepping stool at the base, and I was forced onto it. They lifted my arms up, and that's when I noticed a small gap between the top of the cross and the ceiling. My arms wrapped around the top, hands bound. Suddenly, the stool was removed. My body slammed against the cross, while it surprisingly held. I felt a pair of hands rip my shirt away, leaving my back bare and exposed. Splinters dug into my chest uncomfortably.

I heard more people enter the room. Soon, I was surrounded by Arabians. They sat down on the floor, glaring at me. Behind me, I heard something dragging. The hairs on the back of my neck raised.

Somebody started speaking, too fast for me to understand. However, I managed to get a few words. Like "terrorist". I gulped. He continued his little speech for several minutes, until everyone around me started clapping. I wanted to turn my head and see him, but before I could, I heard a loud CRACK, followed by a burning pain across my back. I yelled in agonizing pain, and was whipped again. I winced, and struggled not to cry out again. Sweat started running down my body, soaking into the burning scars on my back. I felt blood from the wounds starting to drizzle down, landing on the dust. I groaned in pain as the whip whacked me again. I clenched the rope with my hands, biting my lip as I was whipped repeatedly.

I closed my eyes, trying to think of something else besides the torture. The first thing that came to mind was Angie and Maria. They were smiling at me, their arms wrapped around me in a sweet hug. It was quickly ruined by another lash across my back. I let out a small hiss. Around me, several people whooped in joy at my pain. I clenched my teeth, keeping in the pathetic whimpers that threaten to escape.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of torture, the whipping stopped. I let out a small sigh, until I heard someone come up to me from behind. I wanted to turn around, but at the same time, I didn't. The person stopped behind me, and I felt an intense heat radiating off of something.

Shit.

The red hot iron hit my back, making me scream out and flinch away. The man behind me shouted for me to stay still, and the iron was pressed to my back again. I continued screaming out, until it was taken away. Trembling, I was released. I could've run. I should've ran. But the moment my arms were free, I collapsed to my knees. The intense pain from my back was spreading throughout the rest of my body, making my arms and legs tremble. I was yanked to my feet, and a rough hand shoved me forward, his hand shoving on the branding mark. I winced, and trudged forward.

Throwing me back into the cell, my hands were tied behind my back again. Behind me, the cell door slams shut, leaving me alone. Well, with a skeleton. There's only two things on my mind.

Angie and Maria.

Maria's birthday was coming up, and I wouldn't be there for her. Hell, I'd probably never be there for another one of her birthdays. Tears run down my face, onto the dusty ground.