The Rope That Told the Truth
"The one you asked me to buy."
"Let me see."
Sienna pulled out a coil of orange-red rope.
I glanced at it.
The rope was old. The surface was worn, and several places had frayed.
The seller had labeled it: "decorative rope, not load-bearing." Fifty dollars, shipping included.
When Sienna placed the order, she hadn't even read the product description.
Chloe took it and gave it a casual shake, without checking anything.
"Fine. This will do."
"Chloe, should we test it?" Molly Weaver came up behind us, pale-faced, her voice small.