XXXII | Pain ❦ I step towards Rowan and the winged donkey appears. There’s a funny sensationin my head,like I’ve drank too much liquor. ‘Welcome,’it says in a low voice. I glare at it. The feeling fades. I look around me. I’m not halfway up some mountain.I’m not in a different country. I’m still under … Read more
XXXI | Hesitate ❦ The wind throws a tantrum. The world is oblivious. Orange rowan leavesare buffeted like messyswirling falling rain. The sky darkens—but that’s probably because it’s 7pm. The cloudsare still in the sky, ignorant of the wind. Even the grassis unaffected. Only Rowan’s ponythrashing to and fro, her skirtprotests against her hand. I … Read more
XXX | Journey ❦ I’m inside a poorly-driven bus heading awayfrom the nameless chicken rice shop. In my hand,is a ticket. Aspen gave it to me. I was going to throw itinto the dustbin at the bus stop. ‘We’re going on a trip.‘Come along and see the world for yourself.’ He smiled. Satisfied with … Read more
XXIX | Lie ❦ Rowan open the door.Aspen yelps. His eyes are greyish again. She enters the room.‘Why are you here?’ Her face is expressionless as usual. It’s 3pm already? ‘Yes,’ Aspen says,rubbing where the door bumped his back. ‘I’ve been waiting for you,’I say before Aspen says more. She sits on the bed. A … Read more
XXVIII | Rule ❦ Through a mouthful of chicken rice, Aspen says,‘Rowan’s got church stuff today.‘so you’ll have to wait till 3pm.’ My eyes shift to the clock. It’s 12nn. Normally I’d in bed.Why did I come here? The nameless chicken rice shop is empty as usual. The fans squeak. Rowan’s father is arranging chairs. … Read more
XXVII | Before ❦ I’ve known Brientsince we were babies. That’s how closeour mothers were. I told everyone at primary school thathe’s my older brother. Because he was strong. No one would mess with Brient. He was the onewho messed with other people. He messed with me too. He’d steal my food,take my toys andoccasionally … Read more
XXVI | Bitch ❦ That’s not the end of it. The doorbell rang again. Jerry was going to ignore itthis time but then he rememberedhe had seen Rowan outside earlier. Why was it the donkey who spoke to him? Wait, the donkey spoke?! Anyway, he was spooked.So he picked up the phone, called the police. … Read more
XXV | Witch ❦ We played socceruntil it turned dark. Now:surrounded by cans of Red Bull,sprawled in the empty carpark,faces lit by yellow streetlights. Jerry leans on Tom’s shoulder. Tom tilts his can of Red Bullfor Jerry to drink. He smileswhen it trickles out the side of Jerry’s mouth and wipes it for him. Ming’s … Read more
XXIV | Necklace ❦ I take off my earphones and find that I’m standing in frontof the nameless chicken rice shop. Again. I’m coming here too oftenfor someonewho wants nothing to do with Rowan. What excuse do I have tonight? I lean against the pillarof the neighbouring shophouse,thinking. I put my earphones back in. That’s … Read more
XXIII | Will Be ❦ Aren’t these peoplesupposed to be recovering already? What am I supposed to say?Why am I even here? This situationdoesn’t make any sense. I look at Rowan. You handle this. I pick at my Scrabble tilesand form a word. Rowan watches meand says, ‘God kept you alive.‘There are still things … Read more
