Chapter 4 - The Trigger
Lin pulled her phone from the damp silk interior of the bag.
The screen glowed, casting a harsh, blue light against her wet face.
Her thumb hovered over a single saved number.
She didn't need to scroll.
Eleanor noticed the movement and scoffed.
"Who are you calling, little girl?" Eleanor asked, swirling the ice in her glass.
"Your mother? She can't afford a taxi here."
Lin pressed the call button.
She brought the cold glass of the phone to her wet ear.
The line rang only once.
"It's time," Lin said.
Her voice was not loud, but it cut through the room like a scalpel.
Eleanor took another sip of water, her eyes rolling in exaggerated boredom.
"Pathetic," Eleanor whispered.
Lin ignored her.
Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles turning bone-white.
"Do it now," Lin commanded.
She lowered the phone and placed it gently back onto the table.
She didn't hang up.
Eleanor let out a sharp, derisive breath.
"Oh, I'm terrified," the older woman mocked.
"Is the sky going to fall?"
Lin finally tilted her head back, looking at Eleanor upside down.
May you like
Water dripped from her chin.
"No," Lin whispered. "But the roof is."
