'Game Changer' by Pam Plumb

‘Tell me.’ he presses the blade against her throat, his own breath noisy. Silence. She blinks once, one eye slower than the other.

            He shakes her, gruffs his voice. ‘Tell me or ...’ He looks round for inspiration. Sees the radiator. ‘I’ll tie you up.’ He waits. Still no answer.

            Grabbing her thin arm he hauls her to the radiator and pushes her against it. ‘Now will you talk?’ He flicks her blonde hair to one side, thinking he might cut it off next. He turns her head so he can see her blue eyes. She blinks her slow blink in silence.

            He reaches for the scissors. The door bangs open. He sees only a dark shape in shadow. A hard voice: ‘Get off my Barbie.’