We stood up with raised hands. I said, "Take it easy, take it easy." With the corridor lights behind them, I saw them only in silhouette. The police advanced on us. The leading one struck me a hard blow on the left side of the head with his truncheon. Things went white. I fell to the floor and blows rained down on me. It was a frenzied attack. I rolled onto my right side and curled into a ball. I raised my left arm to protect my temple just in time to deflect a truncheon. I yelled in pain and fear.

- from Holiday in Genoa by Daniel McQuillan

Collage by Mike Hunter.