Chapter 2 - The Missed Spot
The metronome tapping suddenly stopped.
The woman’s hand darted forward, her French-tipped nails digging violently into the little girl's shoulder.
The girl’s spine snapped straight.
The black high heel slipped from her greasy fingers and clattered onto the white marble.
The black polish left an ugly, dark smear across the pristine stone.
"She stays on her knees!"
The woman’s voice bounced off the tightly packed wooden shelves.
Her palm came down fast.
The strike clipped the side of the girl’s head, knocking a loose strand of hair across her wet cheek.
The girl did not raise her hands to protect her face.
She simply squeezed her eyes shut, her small chest hitching in a silent, violent spasm.
"You missed a spot, brat!"
The woman kicked the dropped stiletto.
The sharp heel scraped against the marble, screeching like grinding metal.
The girl slowly lowered herself from the wooden stump.
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Her bare knees hit the freezing floor.
She reached for the dirty cotton rag, her small knuckles trembling so hard the fabric fluttered.
