Chapter Seven
She had to hold it together. If she gave in to their torture, she knew what would happen to Greg. As soon as he returned, they'd arrest him and bring him to trial. The verdict would be the same as hers, guilty, and he'd face execution. Although in his case, it would probably be a firing squad, or possibly hanging. She gritted her teeth as the knotted leather lash struck her again, slicing into her naked back. She forced herself not to let the pain overcome her will.
I will not let them kill my husband.
"Tell the truth, Faria Blum. Tell us about your adoption of false gods."
She had to work hard to control her weeping. They'd whipped her almost continually since the questioning started. She thought it was a half an hour ago. Her bare back would be like raw, bloody meat. When they brought her into the torture cell, they'd pulled down her robe, exposing her back to maximize the pain. Then they tied her to iron rings concreted into the wall. There could be no escape. Only death.
"I know nothing of this. I have told you the truth," she replied, her voice cracking as she worked to control the agony.
"Lies! A witness saw both of you entering an illegal Christian meeting place. Tell us about him. Tell us why he turned his back on the beloved mercy of Allah and his Prophet Mohammed. Blessings be on his name. Why does he blaspheme against the one true God?"
The lash struck her again, and again, and again. She wasn't sure how long she'd be able to stand it before she gave them what they wanted.
But Greg, never! They can tear me apart, and I won't abandon my husband.
She heard the Sheikh sigh.
"Your defiance will do you no good, Faria Blum. I have a written and signed statement from the witness."
She didn't reply, and Daud barked an order. The two jailers unfastened her wrists from the rings, and she thought they were about to release her. Instead, they turned her around so she was facing her torturer. He leered at her bare breasts.
"You clearly need more persuasion to force you to tell the truth. When we have finished, your breasts will be lumps of shredded meat. Is that what you want? If you continue to blaspheme, I can make it even worse for you."
Her head slumped forward, and he failed to see she was sucking phlegm into her mouth. She raised her head, and he was in front of her. So close, she could smell him. She hawked and spat a gob of spit to splatter on his face.
"Make it worse! Are you a madman? How could anything be worse than what you're doing to me? I don't care, rip me into a thousand pieces, and it will make no difference. I have told you the truth."
"Allah the merciful will…"
Her eyes flared hate. "Whichever cruel bastard is your God, a whore shit him out of her ass!"
Daud carefully wiped the spittle from his skin. He controlled his anger and gave her a sub-zero smile. "At last, the truth. You are indeed guilty of blasphemy." He looked at the jailers. "You heard her insult to Allah?"
They both nodded, and he turned back to her.
"They have witnessed your blasphemy. Your fate is sealed. At the trial, I will find you guilty. The sentence shall be death by stoning."
She shook her head tiredly. "I never said anything about Allah or the Prophet Muhammad. Only you, you sadistic little shit."
She knew she was wasting her time, and she closed her eyes and tensed as the whip hissed through the air on its way toward her breasts. The blow never fell. They had what they wanted, a victim for their spectacle.