36Julian
Pain. Darkness.
For a second, I’m back in that windowless room, with Majid’s knife slicing through my face. My stomach heaves, vomit rising in my throat. Then my mind clears, and I become cognizant of a dull ringing in my ears.
That didn’t happen in Tajikistan.
I didn’t feel this hot there, either.
Too hot. So hot I’m burning.
Fuck! A spurt of adrenaline chases away all traces of mental fog. Moving with lightning speed, I roll several times, putting out the flames eating at my vest. Nausea grips at my insides, my head throbbing with agony, but when I stop, the fire is gone.
Panting furiously, I lie still and try to regain my senses. What the f**k just happened?
The ringing in my head eases slightly, and I pry open my eyelids to see burning pieces of rubble all around me.
