Chapter 2 - Pearls and Calluses
The beige sandal left the floor.
It rose into the air, gripped by knuckles wrapped in wrinkled, paper-thin skin.
Eleanor stood tall.
Her gray hair was clipped into a flawless, immaculate bob. Not a single strand out of place.
A heavy string of pearls rested against her clavicle.
They clinked, a soft, hollow sound, as her chest heaved.
She wore a beige blouse. The sequins caught the harsh midday light pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The light didn't reach her eyes.
Her lips were pressed into a thin, bloodless line.
Her right arm, surprisingly muscular beneath the loose fabric, pulled back. The sandal hovered like a guillotine blade.
"Carol!"
Her voice was a whip crack.
It held no warmth. Only the sharp, metallic ring of absolute authority.
She adjusted her grip on the shoe. The rubber sole flexed.
Caleb flinched, pulling his knees to his chin. He squeezed his eyes shut.
May you like
He waited for the leather to bite.
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