I had nothing to go back to. Nothing to move toward.
Stagnant. Locked in a present I could no longer survive or endure.
“Get up, Weaver.” Daniel stood over me.
I stood.
“Come here.” He snapped his fingers.
I went.
“Let’s roll again, shall we?”
I nodded.
Monochromatic and hell-bound thoughts. That was all that remained of me.
I didn’t notice as Daniel tossed the dice.
I didn’t look as it rolled to a stop by my foot. I didn’t care when it didn’t flop to one side, staying poised on its edge—neither black nor red, both physical and psychological pain.
As far as the debts went, as far as their fun continued, I’d checked out and left.
I had no future. What did I care about my present?
Daniel ducked to collect the dice. “It’s as if the ghost of our ancestor controlled it.”
Bonnie nodded. “Itisrather serendipitous.”
Cut came forward, pulling free a large pair of shears from his back pocket. “Here you go, son.” His eyes met mine, but he faded once again to the side-lines. Deep in his light-brown eyes was the smallest level of concern. He sensed I’d given up. His enjoyment had been taken away from him.
Daniel held up the scissors. “Know what these are for?”
I remained mute.
“Know what I’m going to use them on?”
I rejected his every taunt.
“These are to take something from you. Something they took from my ancestor.” Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he pointed the scissors in Vaughn’s direction. “The Hawk woman did anything she needed in order to feed her family. She sold her every asset until she had one last remaining. Know what that was?”
V’s red-rimmed eyes howled with sadness.
I tried to care, but couldn’t.
V would move on.
I’d stay here.
Locked in this world with dice and Hawks.
Daniel squeezed me, trying to cultivate a response. “It was her hair. She cut off her hair in order to keep her family alive for a few more days.” His voice turned to gravel. “Now it’s your turn to sacrifice. Your choice is simple. Allow me to cut off your hair—suffer a psychological toll—all in order to save your brother from a painful handicap.”
I continued to stare blankly.
Take what you want.
I no longer cared.
