VICI - (VISION ONE’S Chopping Block. Bits yanked out from the novel.)

 

My name has no importance in these impoverished and polluted souls of Quivira. I have the gift that could purify nature. Fold the grief of the loss into tiny squares and tuck them away for the time being.

This modest seed in my hand could grow and nurture the soil of the burnt lands. Then, in time, children could play. Laugh the way their elders had in their youths. Family would join once again and flourish.

This seed, though, has value. The cost is not free. I’m not a fool. Do you agree?

All you must do is touch the tiny red dot on its skin. Can you see it? It’s right there in the center. I will do the rest. Fulfil everyone’s wishes for tranquility. 

Space to play. 

Plant. 

Perfect say, your world. That is my trade.

Touch and I will do the rest.

Photo by Nita:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-dandelion-flower-shallow-focus-photography-54300/

The Devil You Know (TUNNEL VISION’S Chopping Block. Bits yanked out from the novel.)

 

Eveine held the tablet close to her chest, waiting for her turn to speak to her elders. She organized and balanced her family’s financials, along with everyone’s duties. She will say her parents are busy, much too busy to attend this meeting of public assistance. 

Therefore, she, Eveine Cen-Nera, the oldest child of ten years, will testify if needed, to prove they met their requirements. Her family had succeeded in employment, and those wanting to claim her family’s home, cannot do so.

Eveine swallowed hard. 

Don’t shiver. Don’t shake your voice. Don’t give the authorities one ounce of speculation she was lying. Father is in bed. Drunk with mother. Tired of the work. Sick of the responsibility. Mother confused. Unsure what to do. What to say when asked how you are.

Eveine would lie. To keep their home.

Photo by Adrien Olichon from Pexels

Don't Sit Down (TUNNEL VISION's Chopping Block. Bits yanked out from the novel.)

 

David sat alone on the sofa, hugging his backpack like he was never going to sit there again. All the items in his bag were checked off his list. Five times. 

The sunlight hit his eye and he sighed. He won’t see the sun for forty days. That wasn’t bad. Michael hadn’t seen their sun for two years. But David was determined to change that. Bring him home. No matter the cost. Like selling the farm. No matter the danger. Like never flying to space. No matter anything. Michael was his best friend, raised as his brother. No matter anything.

Family comes first.