Chapter 2 - The Frozen Garage
Eleanor Vance lay motionless on the dusty concrete floor, her dark red winter coat bunched awkwardly around her waist.
Her brown leather gloves were scattered near the shattered remains of the small wooden desk she had crashed over.
Mark stood over her, his fists clenching and unclenching as his heavy breathing filled the dimly lit garage.
The US flag patch on the sleeve of his navy blue jacket rose and fell rapidly with every furious breath he took.
Behind him, six-year-old Lily shivered violently on the edge of the open industrial freezer shelf.
Her pale, freezing skin was translucent in the harsh fluorescent lighting, her pink long-sleeve pajamas offering no warmth against the sub-zero air.
Mark turned away from Eleanor, rushing back to the heavy metal freezer door with tears of relief and anger streaming down his face.
"I've got you, baby girl, Dad's got you," he whispered, lifting Lily tenderly into his arms.
Lily wrapped her small, freezing hands around his neck, her light blue tights rubbing against his dark denim jeans as she whimpered into his shoulder.
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"She locked me in the dark, Daddy," Lily sobbed softly, her body trembling uncontrollably against his chest.
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