• The men wore golden bands around their left arms. This showed their superiority to me, to all of the other civilians in this once free nation. These men belonged to the military, and they were the most dangerous men on the planet.
    I sat in the corner, bound to a wooden chair, my blood drenched, black, shaggy hair was sticking to my sweaty forehead. Suddenly, the general walked in.
    "Jack. Jack, Jack, Jack. Do you realize what you have done? Do you realize what they will do to you? Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" the man interrogated me.
    "well, for one thing, it is very stuffy in this room. You'd think with all the money you guys have stolen from the civilians, you could afford a larger room." I smiled at him.
    "Jack! Be serious! They will kill you if you don't tell them what they want to know!"
    "Look, Sir, I, unlike you, do not fear death. I also wont betray the people I love and represent for what? a fancy house and a tiny, A/C missing office?! No way. Thats not me, i am no coward." the general walked over and slapped me across the face.
    "Is that what you think of me, Jack? After all we've been through together?" The general asked me.
    "things change." I paused. "I wouldn't sell out my friend for a few shiny nickles."
    "Don't be mistaken, Jack. I am not afraid to kill an old friend." he warned.
    "And i am not afraid to be killed."
    "Fine, Jack. Men, get him ready. He'll be executed tonight." then the general left the room, and stomped down the hallway.
    The men with the golden bands stepped over to me and began untying me from the chair. one of the men tried to restrain my hands behind my back, i stopped him.
    "don't worry, I'll go quietly." then they walked me down the hall and to the holding chambers, which were empty. Every prisoner was executed within the day they were captured. The men sat me down in front of the mirror and got out a razor.
    "Take a good look at yourself, its the last time you'll see your reflection." one of the men said to me.
    he started up the razor, and i watched my black hair fall to the floor. They then preceded to wash my skin, and paint it with the blue marks of a traitor. i was ready for my execution.
    the men led me down to the arena. It was full of sand, and the stands were packed with people. Everybody here to see me die. As i walked up to the platform, the general stopped me.
    "Jack, this is your last chance. I dont want to watch you die, but you're giving me no choice."
    "I will never give up my friends. You know that. Your secret will die with me, James." I told him.
    "You are no friend of mine, you traitor. and what secret have you held for me?" The general demanded.
    "The secret of your love. She was a civilian, against your cause, you killed her. You killed the woman you loved and now you will kill me. I am ready to die." I spat.
    "Then die." The general threw me into the arena, i stumbled in the sand, there was still fresh blood. the general unsheathed his sword and stomped over to me.
    "What importance do yo think your death is to me?" He asked, grabbing the collar of my shirt and holding the tip of the sword at my heart.
    "When i die, i will be the wind on your face, the music in your ears. and every time you look at the civilians, you will see my face. Your life will be your hell. And you will live long." Then he thrust his sword through my heart. Just then, my son was born, and the general felt the wind on his face for the first time in five years.