Chapter 2 - Static on the Line to Heaven
The young man’s jaw tightened.
A vein pulsed visibly on the side of his neck.
He pulled Leo an inch closer.
The smell of peppermint and stale alcohol flooded the boy’s nose.
"Cry louder."
The voice was a harsh hiss.
It vibrated against Leo’s chest.
"Maybe your father in heaven will hear you."
The words dropped like heavy stones onto the white tablecloth.
Leo’s bottom lip trembled.
He dug his fingernails into the man’s thick wool sleeve.
It was like trying to scratch through a brick wall.
Heaven.
Leo knew about heaven.
His nanny said it was past the clouds.
Past the airplanes.
He squeezed his eyes shut.
If heaven was that far away, how loud did he have to be?
His lungs burned.
If he screamed, would the sound hit the ceiling and bounce back?
Or would it go through the crystal chandelier and reach the sky?
He opened his mouth.
A small, broken sob escaped.
It wasn't loud enough.
It was barely louder than the clinking of a fork against a plate.
Dad wouldn't hear that.
Dad was too far up.
The young man scoffed.
His grip tightened, twisting the fabric.
A tiny plastic button popped off Leo’s shirt.
It hit the floor with a hollow clack.
It rolled away, disappearing beneath the heavy velvet curtains.
Leo gasped for air.
His small hands flailed, slapping weakly at the man's wrist.
The man laughed.
It was a dry, hollow sound.
It didn't reach his eyes.
"See?" the man whispered.
"Nobody is listening."
Leo’s vision blurred completely.
He felt the sudden, terrifying weight of the empty room pressing down on him.
He let his arms drop.
His fingers hung limp by his sides.
If dad couldn't hear him, there was no point in making a sound.
He just let the tears fall, soaking the collar of his shirt.
The damp fabric grew cold against his skin.
Then, the air in the room shifted.
A sudden gust of wind disturbed the heavy curtains.
A set of heavy double doors at the back of the hall slammed shut.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
The young man didn't turn around.
He was too busy watching the tears roll down Leo's chin.
But Leo saw the reflection in the mirror behind the man.
A tall figure.
May you like
Moving fast.
The heavy thud of leather boots against hardwood.
