eyes, looked around like he was just confused. The only thing I remember more than his eyes was the splash of blood beneath him. Right where his legs had been blown clean off. .
Then, in one fluid motion, Chester held the right side of the photo with his thumb and forefinger, tore off a piece and let it flutter to the ground. It landed in front of Paulina, speckled by rain and mud.
This is what your daughter will look like when I cut off her legs. .
Paulina felt her stomach heave, her mouth opening, her eyes burning as she cried. She reached out for the photo, but was too weak to do anything.
Blood has its own smell. It makes you want to vomit. And imagine what happens when you see that much blood coming from someone you love. .
He gripped the picture, and ripped off another piece. Again the shred fell, twisting in the rain.
This is what your daughter will look like when I cut off her right arm. .
Please, Paulina whispered, her throat so constricted she could barely talk. She closed her eyes. Stop. Just stop. .
The man stood there, holding the mutilated picture out for Paulina to see. Open your eyes, he said. Paulina shook her head. Open them! .
She did.
I have something for you, the man said. I want you to take it home with you and I want you to read it. .
What? she said, blinking away the tears.
When you've read it, I want you to write an article for your newspaper based on the information contained within. Your article will run this Thursday. If it does not, for any reason whatsoever' The man took the photo and ripped off a piece. Then he dropped the tattered photo into the mud.
I will cut off your daughter's head and send it to you in a box. .