excerpt
I told Salvador under my breath that there was a cart waiting for
us not too far away, and asked him whether he could walk. He
couldn’t even talk. I took out a leather bag from under my robe,
tinkling with coins.
“Son! Come here,” I called the torturer who moved quickly at the
sound of money. “You have such a hard life, and you have to eat,
right?” He nodded his assent. “There are so many injustices in this
life, and this is one of them. Look here, this is your lucky day.” I
put the pouch of money into his hands. “It’s yours if you keep
your mouth shut and take us to the nearest exit. Cry for help, and
I’ll wring your soul out through your belly button.”
The man opened his mouth and shut it again.
“Let’s all get out of here, shall we?” I slapped him on the back to
move him to action.
Manolis Aligizakis 