Winter's Stage and a Mother's Shadow
A tremor ran through Ben's fingers as they grazed the icy surface of the door handle. His palm paused just above it, hovering like a breath caught mid-air.
A single turn, then empty space where he stood - down the hallway, past Victor's door, slipping from that second like smoke.
But he hesitated.
Far from flashy. Nothing bold about it.
A tiny shift showed up when his shoulders pulled tight, then his breathing slowed almost too little to notice. Like something lurking behind his thoughts had leaned forward.
Out came a sound like wind through cracked wood
Victor moved faster than he did.
"Father."
It spoke low, yet held its ground.
A sudden snap broke the quiet, sharp as a wire stretched too far.
Half of Ben's face shifted toward the sound, fingers lingering where wood met frame.
