Highly Critical

Arms pumping, gasping for breath, Alysha glanced back behind her. Shadowy figures interrupted the light that pierced through the dense, matted treetops. It was hard enough for her to slip past branches that snagged at her, much more so while running as fast as her heart would allow. Suddenly, a prone tree appeared on the path. Alysha vaulted and stumbled on some roots that protruded through the Earth. She scrambled back to her feet. The figures circled around her, closing in on their prey. Closer and closer, they crept. Alysha noticed the glint of their eyes reflecting the lone rays of yellow moonlight. If it wasn’t for the patches of light, her faceless attackers would’ve blended into the surrounding night. No eyes, nose or mouth yet these predators sensed her. Perhaps it was the fear flowing from Alysha’s pores that gave her away. Closer and closer, still. She began to hear a deep, baritone growl all around her. Was it possible for animals or humanoid beasts to harmonize? ...

I put my hand on the doorknob and looked up to see him, loading clothes into a machine. My mouth gravitated toward the ground as I stepped inside the laundry room. He was trying to make small talk with me; I kept my replies short and distant. “I’ve been going through a lot right now. Whenever you need someone, it’s like they're never there. It’s a shame.” “Right.” “You know the rent's due today and I haven’t been able to pay it.” “I’m sorry to hear that.” “Yeah so if you ever want to talk about any problems going on, I know you have your own stuff to worry about, you can always stop by. We are neighbors.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” If there’s anything that every man of any race has, it’s the nerve and the audacity. Part of me thinks this was a deliberate scheme yet that probably gives him too much credit. But what else could explain him asking me to perform emotional (possibly other forms of) labor right after stirring up trouble for m...