Even in this dimly lit room, Aaron could see all that was wrong with this country. He could smell it too. Breathing in the putrid smell of unwashed armpits, foul breaths and whatever else, he wanted to hold his breath. Forever, if he needed to. He closed his eyes to imagine something, anything else but here, instead another crack of a coarse palm across his cheek brought him back into the room.
Are you falling asleep? One person said
He can fall asleep?! Another one piped up from the corner of the room. “Maybe slap him again”
Aaron’s body was feeling the last two hours they had spent asking him questions he did not have answers to, about places he had never been. He spat out the taste of blood, looked at the man who hit him and tried again.
“Officer. Officer… wait. I don’t know these people you keep mentioning. I have never been to that place.”
“So I am lying?”, The policeman returned
“No!” Aaron said quickly
“Then you are lying. One of us has to be.” He directed the statement to the other officers in the room. They laughed in agreement. If he didn’t think of something quickly. They would kill him and laugh the same way.
“It’s just misinformation. A mistake.”
“Police do not make mistakes” the other one at the corner pipped up again. “We will start another round of beating until you confess. Didn’t you-”
The door opened, and another policeman stuck his head in. We need 4 officers in the next room. They found the thief.
The room fell silent.
If they found the thief, who is this one? The policeman who had been pummeling him asked.
“A mistake, I don’t know!” The policeman shut the door leaving as quickly as he arrived.
Aaron held his breath, head hung low, watching his blood drip to the floor, he waited.
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