A Disturbing Dream 5

I'm in Japan. I'm incarcerated in a fortified mansion with 50 or so follow inmates. I'm the only white person and English speaker in the structure. Everyone speaks Japanese and I'm unable to understand anything that is said. Although the mansion is lavish our mobility and the things we can do are limited.

I have a friend. He's a young 17 or 18 year old Japanese boy. We walk around the common area communicating with basic sign language. I know that he has a family outside that is in some kind of trouble. We interact with other people trying to solicit someone who can get a message outside. We talk to an old man who indicates he can get a message to my friends family. I am the designated lookout as this meeting is held.

Time passes. We play ping-pong at which my friend beats me heartily. After a meal of rice, which we all eat in the common room, cross-legged on the floor, we return to our rooms. There are guards waiting for us at the door to ours. They begin to take my friend away. To be tortured, I know without having to be told, for his attempt at trying to communicate with the outside. A despair grips me. I know I have no one outside counting on me or waiting for my return. I get the attention of the head guard and indicate I will take my friends place. I will endure his punishment for him. He thinks and nods, this is an acceptable replacement.

As I'm escorted towards the torture room a hush falls on all the inmates. They look down, avoiding eye contact. I look back and glimpse my friend briefly as he is shoved into our room.

I enter a room with a large roaring fire in a fire place. There are two wooden poles fixed to the ground about two feet away from the blaze. My shirt is taken off and neatly folded on a table. I'm tied to the poles facing the fire. I hear one of the guards pick something up. Then the experimental crack of a whip. I wait. I feel wind on my back then a streak of pain.

I awoke.