*Zara*
the next morning Imad enters my room flanker by two big and strong male servants. When they drag me outside to the courtyard I am not resisting, I know it won't help.

Nara tries to put herself in the middle of it. "Imad, have you not tried to get her pregnant for a long time.. ? Have you not played for this ? Maybe it is a gift from Allah".

"I am to stupid old woman. That is not a gift, it is a bastard growing in her womb. And I am quite sure one of the americans is to blame". He motions for the men to move along.

Nara grabs his arm, trying to hold him back, begging him to reconsider, but he backhand her across the cheek with his free hand. "Let me go this instance you old hag. If I find out you have been covering for her indiscretions I will have you stones".

In the courtyard I am tied up to a bar that is usually used for horses and camels. Imad makes a cut in my dress and then he rips it off me, exposing my naked body.

I look up and see Zac. His eyes is so filled with pain and his jaw is clenched. He has his fists balled up and Joel stand beside him and hand on his elbow, like he is ready to try and stop him if necessary.

Our eyes lock for a second, and I try to silently tell him that he can not react, he has to keep his emotions inside or we are both dead.

*Zac*
I am standing in the courtyard with everyone else. There is a depressed feeling hanging over the place. No one wants to be here, to witness what is going to happen.

Two men comes out, dragging Zara between them. Imad following behind. She is tied up to a post and all I can think of is running to,her side to protect her. But Joel hand on my elbow reminds me that I can't do it.

Then Imad rip of her dress and I am biting down so hard on the inside of my cheek that I taste blood. I am already close to losing control. How am I to do this ?

She looks up at me and our eyes lock for a minute. And I get her message, she wants me to be strong. For our both's sake I need to act indifferent. I will try my best, for her I will fight my feelings.

Imad picks up a leather whip from the ground. "This is your last change Zara, tell me whom the father is and I'll be merciful.. stay silent and taste the whip".

She shakes her head, pressing her lips hard together and he shrugs. "Well it's your own pain bitch".

I can honestly say that I have never witnessed anything more upsetting and never heard anything more sickening than the whip hitting her body.

She is gasping loudly and tears are streaming her face, drawing lines in the dirk on her cheeks. After 5 lashes Imad stops and ask. "Well Zara.. are you going to give me a name now ? Or should we continue this ?"

I can't help feeling proud of her.. proud that she is not giving in, that she isn't talking. She is such a strong woman. But if I could I would take every ounce of pain to spare her.

It is almost like I can feel every lash of the whip myself. I am in a constant battle with myself not to react. I just want this over, to end. I can't take it anymore.

Joel looks very pale and close to throwing up. Everyone there is looking shocked and very uncomfortable at the situation. But no one dare look away or say anything, knowing it will cast suspicion on them.

I have talked to Eric again and he is on his way to Jordan right now. We will make a run for it tonight. I just pray that it is fast enough and that we can get to Zara and free her.

Imad seems to go on forever, he is continuen for way to long. I have lost count of how many times the whip has married her soft skin. At least a hundred time I am sure, her back and behind all swollen and red, droplets of blood dripping on the sand.

But through it all she refuses to say a single word. In the end she is just dangling there, barely conscious I ad finally give up. "Throw her back in her room and lock her up".

I am ready to collapse myself, but I have to keep up the facade just a little longer. Imad is letting his eyes roam over all of us.  "I know it is one of you and trust me, I will find you soon".

When I am finally back in my room I collapse on the bed, crying for a while, hugging myself. I will never be able to forget this, never unsee to horrible scene.

But at least I know now that she is kept in her room, and that makes me kind of happy. We should actually be able to get her from there

Tonight we will flee through the desert. Joel is coming with us, I tried talking him out of it, but he won't budge. I close my eyes, playing our plan will work.