Tick
She breathes in.
Tock
Tick
Tock
She breathes out.
Tick
Her gaze melts on the page of her book.
Tock
Tick
It feels like an eternity has passed between the last page and now.
Tock
The mansion is empty, save for her. The occasional servant graces its halls once a week to ensure that the dust doesn't pile up too high. Her ship rests in London's drydock, a small thing, a placeholder, to be replaced through her wealth. She could be captain.
Tick
She finds the thought unbearable.
Tock
When did she start listening to the clock?
Tick