It may have been a second, half a second, but it changed everything

The man, his wrists bounded behind him and his ankles tied in many loops; laid on the floor in a foetal position after collapsing for what seemed like hours ago. “Where is she?” he yelled kicking the man on the floor with every word. Coughing and spluttering
he tried to speak that he did not know. He thought she would be here by now but he was wrong. However he could not state this. He could not stop his torture. Another kick to the stomach caused more shooting pain up his chest. “They’ll be nothing left of you by the time she gets here” he stated pulling a knife from his pocket. “No” the man whispered. Kicks hurt but they were temporary what would happen next would destroy him. “Bring it” he yelled at the two standing behind the man on the floor as he tried to stand. “This will hurt you more than anything else will” he whispered leaning down and striking his leg with the knife causing a cut across his thigh. He was then handed a bottle which he proceeded to pour onto the wound. The man screamed in agony. “I’ll ask you again. Where is she?” The man just shook his head the pain had dulled but was still there. “Hold him down” he spoke to the masked two “I’ll give you one more chance. Tell me or you’ll start losing body parts” “I don’t know” the man whispered petrified
on the knife that was centimetres from his cheek. “Fine” the man took the knife and slammed it down on to the floor, slicing his finger off. The man screamed and screamed and screamed. “Shut him up” the masked men picked him up and shoved a gag into his mouth.
“Now that is nothing to what will happen if you don’t tell me where she is hiding” “I don’t know I don’t know I don’t know” the man repeated crying behind the gag. “This is endless” he muttered “how can you not know where she is? You were with her this morning
so WHERE IS SHE?” the man screamed into the man’s face. His face contorted in pain as the man pulled the knife back blood dripping from it. The masked men dropped him on to the stone floor as his life began to drain away. “You can still be saved. Just takes one call” he suggested calmly. The bang of a door was heard “hm interesting” he stated pulling a gun and aiming it at the man dying
slowly on the floor. “You’re too late” he stated to the figure coming closer to him, he smiled wickedly and pulled the trigger consecutively shooting the man first in the leg, then arm then finally the chest. “NO!” she screamed and ran forward trying to block the last bullet but it entered his head before she even moved a step. Collapsing by him she held him in her arms as his eyes stared blankly up at her.

It may have been a second, half a second, but it changed everything.