The Collected

CHAPTER 52

Harris was once more standing next to Romero in the courtyard. The first three prisoners had received their lashes, and were hanging from their hoists, moaning in exhaustion and pain.

It was Peter’s turn.

“Make this one extra special,” Romero ordered Janus.

The blond man smiled. “My pleasure.” He unfurled his whip again, and snapped it against the stone floor.

Romero looked back at the soldier manning the camera. “You are getting everything, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

Facing forward again, Romero said, “I hope you’re ready, Peter.”

The hooded figure made no reply.

Romero nodded at Janus. “Commence.”

Janus pulled his arm back, letting the whip drape behind him, but just as he was about to let it fly, a different kind of cracking noise came over the wall into the courtyard. It was followed immediately by a second, fainter noise.

“Stop,” Harris said.

Janus had already paused, and turned to look at the top of the wall.

Harris was looking that way, too. “What was that?” he called up to the sentry nearest him.

“Don’t know,” the man answered. He gestured behind him, beyond the wall. “Someone’s out there.”

“You heard a voice?”

“Yes, right after the breaking sound. Sounded like they were hurt.”

The only one it could be was Quinn. “See if you can spot him. I’m sending the others back out!” He turned to Romero. “Maybe we should finish this later.”

“Absolutely not,” Romero said. “There will be no finishing later. Janus can handle this fine. Go. Bring back Quinn.”