The man's voice stopped abruptly. A grown man, he was now the picture of subservience, not daring to make another sound.
He was genuinely terrified. He was afraid that if she became displeased, she would really silence him forever.
And there were many ways to be silenced forever. None of them ended well.
Kicking the door open, Stella Sterling hauled the man into the room.
The moment he entered the room, the man felt a wave of warmth wash over him.
For some time now, everyone's home had been freezing cold, not much better than the temperature outside. People had taken to wearing many layers of clothing even indoors to fend off the chill. They were slowly getting used to this way of life, their bodies gradually adapting to the constant cold.
He had always assumed everyone was in the same boat. But the moment he entered Stella Sterling's apartment, he felt enveloped by warmth. He noticed she even had the air conditioner running!
