Chapter 6 - The Real Father
A sudden, sharp sound cuts through the house.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
It comes from the far end of the dim hallway, right at the heavy wooden door of the study.
Not from inside the room.
From inside the door frame itself.
Eleanor doesn't flinch. She slides the heavy chef's knife two inches out of its wooden slot.
The metallic glare catches the overhead kitchen spotlight.
"You should go take your medicine now, Marcus," she says, her voice dropping into a soothing, robotic rhythm.
"You're having another episode."
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The knocking is faster now. Desperate. Heavy fists hitting solid oak.
Marcus takes a step backward, his back hitting the cold edge of the refrigerator.
Sophie leans her small head close to his ear.
Her breath is warm against his neck, smelling faintly of the dry kibble.
"Dad," she whispers, her small voice echoing through the silent, freezing kitchen.
May you like
"That's the lady who says you are real..."
"...and that the man in the car outside is the one who bought the gift bag."
