Episode 52: The light

Bill's body ached from the beatings and torture he'd endured but the worst and most humiliating thing was the stench from his faeces caked clothing which hung on his emaciated body.   

He hadn't heard the footsteps nor the door as it was swung open to his cell.  The first thing he felt was roughly being pulled from his stupor by yet another set of hands, mentally he immediately began to steel himself for the imminent interrogation session which was about to begin.  He'd lost count of how long he'd been held and whether it was day or night.

He tried to tune into the voices but the speed of their speech and the impact of his torture had addled his mind and so couldn't keep up.  Although this time there wasn't the same shouting that usually accompanied his treatment, nor was he being roughly dragged from the room whilst enduring the constant rain of blows that usually came with it.

In fact, Bill sensed something different in the mood of the voices, the bindings on his hands was being undone and her was being carefully placed in a chair the hood, which had been a constant companion was slowly removed from his head.  At first the light was so bright that he was momentarily blinded, after the initial disorientation had passed he eyes slowly became accustomed and noted a number of soldiers, around him.  

But it was then that Phuong came to stand in front of him, grasping his hand he shook it firmly and leaning in whispered almost imperceptibly that he must remain silent.  Bill trusting Phuong's advice and instincts smiled warmly. "Jesus, its great to see you Phuong" Bill said trying to smile, but with his dirty and bruised face, disheveled appearance and noticeable stench was difficult for Phuong to digest while concealing his rising anger.  The senior military officer motioned for a plain dressed civilian to examine Bill as he sat on the chair.  The doctor checked Bill out thoroughly before reporting in quiet tones to the officer.

Phuong then helped Bill to standing and with another soldier steadying him accompanied him from his cell to a waiting ambulance in the street.  The sights and pungent smells of the old quarter wafted through his nose as he lay on the gurney for the short ride to the hospital.  

For the first time in what seemed like an eternity he could finally breathe again...