They were naked and waiting to be bathed. Fear was on their faces, they knew they would be bullied, scalded or left to be whipped by the pressure of the cold water. Their skin became sensitive. Every touch caused them unbearable pain. Luisa was crying for her mother, but the nurse was shoving soap into her eyes, screaming at her to wash off her rusted out insides. Die sooner and meet your Mitty, you crazy old woman. Carmen stepped out of line and jumped out the window. Now it's the time, when she has a mind and can decide for herself. Tomorrow will be too late.
Diana Cornea
She walked along the river with her sandals in hand. The fine dust and the still hot boulders were delightful. A shy delight. The silence suddenly deepened and feeling like she went deaf, she lifted her head towards the unnatural red sunset. A huge mushroom barked its murderous thought towards God. She instinctively jumped into the water and sank desperately clutching her fingers on the stony rock. Count with your eyes open. Above the mirror the sickly air trembles and darkness settles in for good. The world has died, she thought.
Ana Călin
Well done, my dear, I'm proud of you, but mum can't afford this. You single-handedly picked your own poppies, rapeseed, dandelion and some foul-smelling variety of bride's flower and wove it as best you could. The next day your wreath was baggy, the prize had borrowed books inside, the librarian took them back after the party, but you're still smiling anyway in the picture paid for by another parent. Well done my dear, I'll order you the most beautiful wreath, with orchids and white peonies, no, Mrs. Doctor, we don't encourage competition between children.
(Translated by Florina Georgiana Țîncu / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year I / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.