Rina wakes before the bell. Always does. Anna's face is fifteen centimeters away on the shared pillow, mouth slightly open, one hand curled near her chin. Rina counts the breaths. Seventeen per minute. Yesterday was fifteen. The day before was fourteen. The wake bell sounds at 0400. Anna's eyes open, find Rina's immediately. "Kumusta ka?" … Continue reading Rotation Seven
Tag: short story
Balance Review
The yellow bar appeared in the corner of my wall-screen three days before midnight. Just a thin line at first, easy to ignore while I was trimming the hydroponic lettuce in Unit 47-C, my fingers slick with nutrient solution, the chemical tang of it sharp under my nails. But by evening it had numbers: red … Continue reading Balance Review
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