While she was drinking her coffee, Shalma Hughes completely missed the shifting expressions on Hannah Hughes's face as the woman sat across from her.
After downing the drink, Shalma felt a creeping lethargy wash over her. It started in her hands, moved down to her feet, and soon, an overwhelming sense of weakness engulfed every inch of her body.
"How could this happen?" she wondered. "Was it the coffee...?"
"What are you... trying to do?" Suppressing the debilitating weakness, Shalma forced the words out through gritted teeth.
She braced her hands against the tabletop, mustering every ounce of her remaining strength to keep her heavy eyelids from closing. Through a hazy blur, she looked across the table. Her knuckles were stark white from the force of her grip.
Hannah felt a hint of moisture prick the corners of her eyes as she spoke.
