The cell was sweltering. Private Liu’s collar had gone limp hours before and he could smell the fetid stench of feces. The screams had long ago stopped. Perhaps that was what saddened him the most. The prisoner had been tortured so much he could cry out no more.
He eyed the “interrogator.” The questions ceased the moment the new inmate admitted what he was. The bald man with scars on his cheeks had paused, grinned, then backhanded the elderly former scholar. The beatings continued for hours, he and his fellow soldiers, reluctant witnesses.
Two days ago, he had thought the man could bear no more. In truth, Liu was tempted to end the man’s pain. Instead, he had wiped the old prisoner’s face as best he could and gave him some of his ration of water. He did this with haste as the interrogator had only stepped out for a moment. Liu knew none of the others would inform on him. They all just wanted the inmate’s suffering over.
Deep in the crevasses of his mind, Liu offered prayer. He was in no position to rescue this man, another of the Body. If it were known what he was, he too would be an inmate of this camp, this place of torment. “Re-education,” they called it. Where “enemies of the state” and other undesirables were sent. How this gentle old man was a troublemaker was beyond Liu’s comprehension. But then, he didn’t understand why he too was a “misanthrope” and “non-conformist.”
The bald man was pummeling the scholar’s legs with a piece of bamboo. The flesh had long since blackened from the repeated blows. A moan came from the inmate’s mouth and the interrogator leaned in.
“Ready to admit it?” He said. “Your God isn’t there. If He were, surely He would have stopped me by now.”
Liu wondered why God had indeed not stopped this by now. The old man had held true for so long, but the pain must be overwhelming. Wouldn’t Jesus call him home? Soon?
The old man took in a breath with a shudder. Lips, torn and cracked, parted.
“Jesus is Lord.”
Short and simple. Liu almost nodded but caught himself. That would have been noticed. He caught a glimpse of another soldier’s head bobbing a quarter inch. Han, a fellow conscript, and apparently also a believer.
The bald sadist unleashed another barrage of measured strikes to the scholar’s feet.
“The State is all. There is no all-powerful deity. The Leader is who you can believe in. He is the One you must obey. Give up your superstition and the pain will be over.”
Liu felt his hand reaching for his holster of its own accord. He could come up with some excuse. The old man should not have to suffer anymore. He unsnapped the cover and started to pray for forgiveness.
The old man inhaled again, and Liu felt the Holy Spirit say to him, “Wait and Listen.” His hand slid away from the gun.
The cell grew silent. Everyone leaned in to hear the voice of the condemned.
“I forgive you.”
The bald man’s nostrils flared. “I don’t need your forgiveness, old man.” He stretched backward to unleash another blow.
A voice like that of roaring waters spoke. “No more.”
The room flooded with light. Blinded, Liu fell to his knees. Cries of fear came from the other soldiers somewhere in the room. He could hear his own heartbeat quicken as the scholar spoke.
“Is it time, Lord?”
“Yes, my beloved child. I’ve come to take you home.” The awesome, precious voice said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Liu couldn’t lift his head. He just knelt there, praising God. He felt a comforting hand touch his head and a gentle, quiet whisper in his ear.
“Fear not. I am with you always.”
Tears running down his face, Liu opened his eyes. The room was dark again. The scholar was dead, his face at peace. The other soldiers, save Han, were still dazed on the floor.
One by one they stood. Some of them looked sheepish, others afraid. The bald man swore and left the room without dismissing them.
Han shook his head at the interrogator’s retreating back. Liu gave a quick jerk of the hand and the men stood to attention. He then with extreme care saluted the body.
Another man started to ask, “Why are you—?”
“Because it is right to honor a victorious soldier fallen in battle.” Liu replied.
The noncom nodded in response. He saluted. The others followed suit. They then filed out of the cell.
Copyright 2011 James J. Gawne Jr.
