Erehe

garrote

He shouted, his voice raw from dehydration, hoping that at least its echoes would reach an open ear. The rope burned his blistered neck, the more he struggled against his binds, choking him momentarily and sending him to a coughing fit.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Eye darting from one person to another, he breathed deep and slow through his nostrils. Then straining against the tight rope around his neck, he burst out, yelling again and again, "Mabuhay ang Katagalugan!"

The guardia merely glowered at him, nose wrinkled in disgust, brow furrowed and lips curled downwards.

"Kill him."