The Cleansing

by Shane Crosby

  “All right! Hey! Knock it off son of a bitch!”

  “Now I got your attention, American cowboy? My money! Two million dollars!”

  “If you hurt him, you get nothing but a bullet to the brain. I’ll purchase you a nice leather bag to put your little children’s head in. Along with your grandmother and anyone else I can find with one tenth of the same blood that you have running through your veins.”

  “Hmm, who are you doing now? G.I Joe? Dirty Harry? Oooooh, make my day.” He starts to mock me with laughter.

  “I’m so scared.” He starts to laugh.

  “You should be. Where are you? I’ll bring you the money strapped to a bomb.”

  “Nice try ass hole! You will bring the money to a drop in Prague.”

  “If I have to travel to Prague, I’m selecting the location.”

  “You Americans, such hubris. you have even when you’re all out of options. You still think you can dictate the terms.”

  “I can. You want your money as badly as we want him back. I would say more so. If you kill him, I’ll burn it.”

  “Humph. You think you have your family hidden? When you get your mother’s head under the tree this Christmas, you’ll regret burning my money. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll pay her a visit, cut her throat, string her up and watch her bleed out like a stuck pig. And, unlike you, we keep our promises.”

  “One thing I know for certain, we’re all an extension of someone. We all have a tree of life. If it takes me until the end of time, I’ll kill every branch on yours.”

  “Arrogance. I like that, but does he?” The torture began again for J. They were striking him with such fierce, I could hear the sound it made as the object was striking his body clearly through the phone.

  “Motherfucker! Midnight at the location of my choice. No way am I going into a location that you choose. I’ll give you your money, but this has to be a neutral spot.”

  “Where? And, don’t take too long because he can’t take too much more.”

  J was screaming so loud it hurt my ear drum. Then I heard electricity cracking and his screams were even more dire than before. I believe those screams will haunt me not just in my sleep but every waking moment God gives me until death and beyond.

  “All right! Stop it! I’ll send you the location. Make sure you have this phone.”

  “Don’t you worry! I’ll have it with me. You just make sure you send the information or he’s dead. Try anything and he’s dead.”

  “I hope you kissed your wife good bye.”

  (click)

  I couldn’t think. I was dizzy. They have my little brother and for that they will die. I went to get my brothers.

  “Hey wake up!” I shook them awake.

  “Get up! Get up now!”

  “What is it, Dub? Damn, we just got in the bed.”

  “Listen up. J’s been kidnapped.”

  “Kidnapped? By who?”

  “I don’t know. They’re threatening to kill him. I’m sure they will, if...”

  “If they haven’t already.”

  “Stop talking like that. He’s alive.”

  “I don’t know if he is, Scott. They want the two million dollars. It’s already disappeared out of the account.”

  “They took him because the money disappeared?”

  “How did they find him? No way they found him without help.”

  “Fuck! We have to get him back at all costs.”

  “I know it. I have to send them a location to meet to give them back the money.”

  “How did you get two million dollars?”

  “From a terrorist group a couple of years ago. It doesn’t matter. I don’t have my hands on it now. It’s hidden. I’m going to have to wing it.”

  “He could be dead by now.”

  “I know they’re torturing him. I could hear it in the background. They were electrocuting him.”

  “Oh no, don’t tell me that.”

  “Look I know. We’re going to get him back. We need to leave now to get prepared.”

  “I’ll call Arie. You guys work what you got.”

  Since they found out about our brother, whom we’ve kept well hidden, we were pretty certain they’d find us here in Russia. We’ve been exposed somehow. We can’t drive the cars we rented to the airport. We need to borrow a couple of vehicles. They’ll report them stolen and the police will be occupied with that. One thing remains constant; always has and will, criminals don’t like law enforcement. Anywhere there’s police, criminals scatter like roaches in the light.

  We got rid of the cars we rented and went on the hunt for another. We searched the streets and parking lot for some cars that were speaking to us.

  In a whisper. “Dub! Dub!”

  “Yeah.”

  “Over here.”

  I walked toward Scott and there it was. A nice new shiny SUV doors unlocked ready to escort us to the airport. We opened the doors and hoped in, gear in tow.

  “What luck? We don’t even have to spend any time breaking in.”

  “I was thinking the very same. “

  “Thank God.”

  “Hey man. Are you actually thanking the creator for helping us steal a car?”

  “Hey. No prayer is too big. No prayer is too small for God.”

  Faces carved with disbelieving expressions, we turned to look at Scott. He looks at us confused.

  “What? Prayer changes things.”

  “Okay. Thanks for clarifying. I know we’re going to hell now. There’s no way out of it.”

  We drove the remaining distance to the airport in silence. Each one of us secretly praying asking the big guy to forgive us for Scott being our brother.

  In the airport, we paced back and forth for what seemed like days, but in actuality it was only a couple of hours. When I finally returned that call I struggled to hide the anguish I felt but, I had to. In order to pull this off, I had to show the confidence they were.

  CHAPTER FIFTY - THREE

  THE NEXT DAY

  ANGUISHED

  PRAGUE

  Dub

  We checked into the hotel on edge and doing our best not to wear our emotions on our sleeves. I’m usually the one who’s less emotional than any of my brothers, but I was struggling to keep it together. I could see they were all looking to me to set the mood. I wanted to tell them, I wasn’t capable of doing that this time. I loved J just as much as they did and wanted the right to fall apart just like anyone else. I knew I couldn’t. I had to give the people on the other end of this phone the perception that I am the unshakeable warrior that I’ve always been. In any other situation, I could pull that off without blinking an eye. When they took my little brother, I understood that I wasn’t the warrior I, myself believed I was. I was just a man that had a lot to lose.

  Calling dead man walking.....

  “You made it.”

  “After tomorrow, you’ll regret that I did.”

  “Oh, you’re braver than I thought.”

  “If I wanted to converse with a ghost, I’ll buy a Quija board.”

  “Funny. I take back what I said about Americans. You’re not all pussies who blow up innocent women and children while they’re sleeping.”

  “I’ve blown up plenty of your women and children while they were awake. I feel even better about that now after talking with you.”

  He yelled out in frustration. “You mother fucker! You think you have your family hidden so well, don’t you?! Think again! I won’t stop until I find them every last one! I will wait to kill you after I make you watch while we slit your mother’s throat and tie her tongue around her severed head in a big red bloody bow!”

  “Humph. Well, I wish I could say the same about your mother, but they’ve already picked up pieces of her, your brother and other family members from the last country I blew up. And if not, please let her know I’ll be coming to a village near her soon.”

  I heard my little brother scream so loudly he lost his voice.

 
; “God damn you! Where is he?! Why don’t you come and do that to me!”

  He laughs, that confidence pouring out of the phone is killing me, but I have to remain calm.

  “He’s here. And, I wanted to, but like a coward you hide your identity and location. Leave little brother to take responsibility for your actions.”

  “If my brother is dead, you’ll see this money up in flames. If he dies, I’m coming for you. I want proof of life, now!”

  “You’re in no position to demand anything.”

  “I’m in the perfect position to demand everything. I have what you want.”

  “Vice versa my friend.”

  “We’re not friends. Proof of life, ass hole. Right now!”

  “Check your phone. It’s coming over now.”

  Funny, we run through life every day tied to our phones. They buzz, sing, bing all day and we’ve become immune to the noise it makes. We automatically know what those noises mean. One means text another means email and so on. I was one of those who easily put that singing phone in the ‘I’ll check it later column, until now. Now the dinging of my phone means life, my little brother’s. I eagerly checked my messages. When I opened it I was filled with joy and horror. I knew he was being tortured. It made my heart bleed to see it. He was alive, but barely. If he didn’t get help soon he wasn’t going to make it. They had yesterday’s and today’s paper in the picture. I choked back my emotions. I had to think clearly.

  “Now do you see him?”

  “I’m going to enjoy killing you.”

  “Americans always with the empty promises. How they say in America? Great doing business with you.”

  “Just be at the drop mother fucker! Prague, midnight you’ve been sent the location, bring the package alive!”

  “Bring my money!”

  “I will. And, a shovel for you to dig your own grave.”

  “Promises, promises, cowboy. Let’s see how brave you are alone because that’s how you have to come.”

  “I must insist on the same thing from you.”

  “How can I? I have to bring brother.”

  “And, so do I.”

  (Click)

  After I hung up I went to fill the others in on the conversation.

  “He wants me to come alone.”

  “No. No way.”

  “I spoke with Arie. He sent this package for his. It has a lot of stuff he felt we could use. He’s sending his men to help us. The thing is, they have to get there first.”

  “You sent them the drop location? Oh and by the way, they know he’s my brother. They don’t know my identity, but they know Jared is definitely my brother.”

  “How?”

  “No idea.”

  “We can’t worry about that now.”

  “I agree. We need to hurry.”

  “Whenever Arie’s people can get there it will be appreciated.”

  “Our focus now is to get him back.”

  “Agreed.”

  “I’ll let them think I’m alone.”

  “Enough talk, now let’s get our brother back.”

  THE EXCHANGE

  DROP LOCATION

  PRAUGE

  Dub

  When we all enlisted into some form of the military, my mom was distraught. She always believed the US government wasn’t any place for her sons or anyone that had sons that looked like hers. My father, being a military veteran, believed the same, but he allowed us to choose. I can’t say that I disagree with my parents regarding our place as men of color in the US military, however, in this instance, I’m glad we joined. The skills we were taught will come in handy in getting our brother back and getting out of this mess alive.

  Throughout our careers, when we’d use our skills, it was for someone or something that had no connection to us. We were just follow orders. Therefore, it’s easy to maintain that discipleship type disconnect when you’re planning and ready to engage. Tonight, things are flipped and it’s a struggle to even remember what we’ve learned, let alone execute it.

  The one thing that’s remained constant in our lives is prayer. My mother insisted upon it. Prayer was a part of our lives daily within our household. As much as we hated it then and vowed to live our own lives when we could. Enlisted in the military, being exposed to the horrors of war, being asked and expected to do things that deep down, you knew was wrong, saw us falling back on what we learned as children; prayer. I believe that’s the only way we’ve remained sane through it all. Tonight, is one of those times we reached back to what we learned and leaned on prayer.

  Since, this was the most important mission either of us had embarked upon in our lives, we had to do the opposite of what we’d do normally. Instead of getting to the drop a couple of hours early, we arrived as soon as we got to Prague, which means we only had three to four hours to prepare. They would be arriving early, too.

  The highest point is what we look for first. If you can find one that will give you a complete view of your environment that's the one you select. If you can't find a spot like that; keep looking. You’ll see your enemy coming before they even know you're anywhere around. If you have them, land mines are a great weapon to kill, startle and discombobulate your enemy. A Blackhawk helicopter is a wonderful tool to have in your arsenal as well. We couldn't fit ours in our pockets so we were on our own, but still liked our chances. Come hell or high water we were getting our little brother back alive and in one piece or I vowed to spread pieces of them all over Europe.

  So, we could communicate with each other, we used a two way earpiece. A GPS blocker would prevent their backup from knowing their location. It also prevents anyone from honing in on our location as well. But, we knew what we were getting into. The risk was worth it.

  Trevor being a SEAL would be on one building and Scott the other. Trevor and Scott were sharp shooters and right now we needed that precision. Trevor would be perched on a building that will give him a clear view of them when they get close enough to the drop spot. From his spot, he and his high powered scope would be able to see through the windshields. He is to find the vehicle that has J. Once he’s made a positive ID on J, he and Scott had to time their shots just right to take out the people beside J. We knew they would probably have two people sitting with him in the back. If we take out the driver the two flanking J could kill him. Once they were neutralized, Scott would let us know when to set off the landmines. This was another piece of the extraction plan that was based on precision and God answering a lot of prayers. We placed land mines along the road used to enter the drop location. We had to wait for the vehicles flanking J’s to get over the mines while his vehicle drove clear. Like I said, luck and prayer; mostly the latter would be the catalyst in this piece of the plan being done without error. This had to be done with the same precision as with the shots because if we’re off a little bit it could blow J’s car up possibly killing him. The plan was to take out those vehicles, attack, neutralize our enemy, grab J and evacuate the area. That’s a lot that we need to go perfectly on one mission. If you know anything about OPS missions, you’ll know to always have a plan B, which is hope that God isn’t busy.

  EARLY, BUT NOT EARLY ENOUGH

  Dub

  The drop that I chose was an area that was once thriving with industry. With the wars and government coups that have occurred, this area was soon left looking like something out of war of the machines.

  There were plenty of buildings that were high enough to give you a full aerial view of our surroundings. My only concern was that I didn’t want them to get here first. In that regard, we lucked out.

  We’d been in position for a couple of hours when Scott chimed in over the coms to let us know he thought he saw movement. After several minutes of nervous anticipation, I could confirm it; two SUV’s coming toward our location. It wasn’t time for the drop so it wasn’t J.

  As anticipated they showed up early to scout. I hated to break it to them, it wasn't early enough.

  They parked and exited
the SUV’s. Scott quickly left the roof and ran over to get into position. It was three men on foot and five of us, I love those numbers. They were looking for a place to set up. There was only one reason why they were here early. They weren’t planning on us leaving this drop alive.

  As they walked the perimeter, carefully scouting for the perfect location to land that one kill shot in between the eyes of each one of us, we watched and waited for the perfect opportunity to neutralize them. When the time came, one by one, we grabbed them, tied them up and put them in a secure location.

  One of the men were cocky. I took him to be the leader. We needed to take him out first, not because it would matter in what order we dropped them. I just enjoy showing someone who thinks he’s in control how easily that can be taken away.

  “Scott, you ready?”

  “In position.”

  “Trevor?”

  “Ready.”

  “Mase, Don.”

  “We’re in position.”

  “I’m in position.”

  “You fools! You just signed your death warrant!”

  “How you figure?”

  “They're going to know something’s wrong and your brother is dead.”

  “You’d better pray to whatever God you serve that doesn't happen.”

  “Because if it does, the only people you'll be telling this story to will be the angels in Heaven.”

  “You must mean the demons in hell.”

  “Yeah, that sounds more like it. I’ll take this knife stick it in your groin and watch you bleed out.”

  “Hmmm, a slow agonizing death. Good one, bro.”

  Just to prove his point, Mase stuck him in the neck, not deep enough to kill him just enough to let him know he was serious. He yelled at us.

  “You're crazy! Crazy American son of a bitch! I look forward to pissing on your burning corpse!”

  “Shut up! The only pissing you’ll be doing is on yourself.”

  He spit at us. Stood up and yelled at us some more. “Fuck you! You're dead! Fuck you!”

  Trevor punched him in the face Don put duct tape over his mouth. Even then, he was still trying to curse us and get out of his bindings. We stripped them naked, taped their fingers, chained their feet and taped their arms to their sides.