UNSPOKEN BOND

PTE

A P

liar fragrance of sawdust and varnish. It was a smell she had remembered since sh

ng against the tightness of his well-worn shirt. The rhythmic rasp of sandpap

ant to announce her arrival. But something was holding her back, a tensio

as he noticed her there. "Lila," he grumble

gesture precise and purposeful.

hud. His glance flicked over her face, searching for something Lila

res. Her actions were sluggish, hampered by the seriousness of the situation

s abruptly downcast. An uneasy pause stretched betwe

gain, the movements rushing out. "I was thinking we should prac

his weathered features. For a time, he appeared to re

nd he nodded reluctantly.

eave her shoulders. She crossed the chaotic workshop and po

ce memorized. But as Lila's movements became more complex, her father's face pinche

enched at his sides. "Slow down, will ya?" he demanded, his voi

o remain calm. Her gestures were purposeful and exaggerated, and

is movements stiff and uncomfortable. But as he continued to sign, his b

utiful patterns across the air. But as she neared the conclusion, her el

his rough palm tightening around the saw's handle in a reflexive effort to grab it. Howev

esh, leaving a large, jagged gash on his palm. He recoiled with a guttural h

er ribcage, each pulse producing a thunderous thud in her ears. She pushed forward, he

psurge of grief and rage. "F*cking hell

if struck. Her hands fluttered frantically, appealing and apologiz

ed into a tight line. "Just...leave me alone," he snarled, hi

ing a red trail of drops. Her hands dropped loosely to her sides,

the old agony of loneliness crawl into her bones, a hollow vo

ssive. Lila remained transfixed in the center of the workspace, her h

n her head like a twisted refrain. Her stomach roiled with sickness and

couldn't face the notion of her father suffering alone, caring for his

r nails bit into her hands. That was enough. She was ti

ay, her strides propelled by a newfound determination. She followed a red trail of

all restroom off the main corridor. The door was slightly open a

e doorknob. Then, before she could question her

a fury as she came in. He stooped over the sink, a wad

ell alone," he hissed, his wo

t her father's piercing gaze. Her fingers moved with a delibera

her biting retort. But as his gaze shifted to her firm

basin, his shoulders dropping in surrender. "Alr

ok a step forward, gently pulling the filthy pape