“This isn’t how it works…”
But his voice isn’t as confident anymore.
The girl doesn’t look away.
Her eyes steady.
Focused.
“Count with me…”
A soft whisper.
Barely sound—
but it cuts through everything.
Someone scoffs quietly behind—
“She’s playing…”
No one laughs this time.
Ethan exhales—
half amused—
half unsure.
“…fine.”
A beat.
The girl tightens her fingers slightly.
“One…”
The tension rises.
Low.
Heavy.
Heartbeat begins.
“Two…”
Ethan shifts—
just slightly—
his expression flickers—
“…what—”
His foot—
moves.
Barely.
But real.
The table goes still.
Glasses stop mid-air.
Eyes widen.
Ethan freezes.
“…no…”
His breath catches.
The girl doesn’t stop.
“Three…”
The movement again—
stronger this time.
His hand grips the chair hard.
Knuckles white.
“…what did you do…?”
His voice shakes now.
Real fear.
Real hope.
The girl leans closer.
Soft.
Calm.
“I didn’t do anything…”
A pause.
Heavy.
“…he said you’d feel it when you’re ready.”
Silence collapses.
Ethan’s face drains.
Recognition.
Something deeper.
His grip loosens—
then tightens again.
“…who said that…?”
The girl looks straight into his eyes.
No hesitation.
“My dad.”
Heartbeat peaks—
louder—
faster—
Ethan’s breath stops.
“…that’s impossible…”
And just as he tries to stand—
