In the hole
Fear?
Acid coursing through my veins and somehow pooling into the pit of my stomach. Muscles, electric but yet dead weight across my back, my neck rigid, locked into place. I dare not move my face. No twitch, nothing that could betray me. I cannot let it leak from my eyes. But at the same time I cannot be seen to struggle.
His eyes bore into me, searching for fear. Does he find it?
Yes.
He pushes forward, grinning broadly.
I feel it is time to lay my cards on the table.
“Aces,” I say, smiling, “four of ‘em.”
Calm.
