He held a small silver vial, just slightly taller than a thimble. Within it rested a thin needle topped with a single black pearl that seemed to hover... above the lip of the container in the brilliant light. As he withdrew it, a drop of clear liquid fell from the sharp tip back into the waiting pool at the bottom of the miniature reservoir.She shifted away from him as he brought the needle closer."Are you afraid?"Her eyes told him before she could speak. "Yes," she whispered."I could untie you,. I used to take a nice look at her whenever I get a chance and I decided to talk to her somehow. To my luck, she also started to smile at me. One fine day, I was waiting for her at the bus stop where there is a lot of crowd. If I talk to her at the bus stop, nobody will notice me. She came to the bus stop and I started talking to her. I asked about her husband.She became sad and told that he went with another lady. She asked why I keep looking at her and I gave her a smile without saying a word.. " He glanced at her with a shit-eating grin. "Oh, good grief!" she whispered. "You did, didn't you?"He continued on toward his office, ignoring her hissed pleas for sordid details. When he got to his office, he noticed some of his furniture had gone missing and there were empty boxes sitting on his desk. Bob walked in behind him and clapped him on the shoulder."Well, son, today's the day," he proclaimed warmly. "Ready for your new office?"Rob looked around the office and realized there was. "Pweathe no? I thowwy!" Shh, baby! Stick that naughty bottom right out. Do it properly!" Janecommanded, a hint of steel in her strident voice. "You know what to do.Come on! Present for Mummy!"WHICK! The fourth cut was sheer hell! Unable to bear the pain, David letgo and half-stood. Then he remembered his choices. With a heave ofwillpower he bent over again just in time. WHICK! The fifth slice madehim scream. "Aiee! Mummy! Mummy! No more, pweathe Mummy!" His bodyjerked up and down, torn between.