Chapter 2 - The red button
Vincent did not move. His heavy eyelids fluttered, his legendary strength failing him against whatever invisible force was pulling him under. Adeline did not cry or panic. She possessed a quiet, steady bravery that was completely unnatural for a child her age. She looked at the large black telephone sitting on the far corner of his desk. She knew what that phone did; she had seen the men in dark suits rush into the room whenever it rang.
Clutching her stuffed green alligator under her left arm, Adeline marched over to a heavy leather visitor chair. With determined grunts, she pushed and dragged the chair across the rug until it scraped against the edge of the mahogany desk. She climbed up onto the leather cushion, her small knees finding purchase, and carefully lifted herself onto the surface of the desk.
She crawled past the spilled espresso, her blue dress swishing softly. Reaching the black telephone, she recognized the glowing red emergency button on the base. Without hesitation, Adeline pressed the red emergency button. She picked up the heavy receiver, needing to hold it with both of her tiny hands to bring it to her ear.
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The line clicked open immediately to the estate’s security hub.
Adeline spoke with serious, unwavering toddler clarity. “Uncle Vincent bleeding. Come now.”
