I woke up in the morning. So early that even the dead in my blood hadn't had a chance to wake up. I wanted to tell you I love you just before I took a piss, so that no one would know, but an aunt from the erythrocytes woke up, and the lark began to sing. Damn all your dead and mine. Let's start our own Sabbath, my love. I know how. It's as simple as cancer. We begin with a red blood cell infusion. Then we change red blood cells, dark secrets, maleficent grandparents. And for dessert, we erase memories with a chemotherapy cocktail.
Alex Caragian
For twelve long months, they ascended the peak less mountain without respite, having fled from their masters. On one side of the slope, the glossy black horse, with fibres lashing beneath its flank's skin, galloped with froth around its swollen nostrils. On the other side, the fearless warrior, chest puffed out, ran with the burdensome armor on his shoulders, sweating beneath the beautifully painted mask handed down by ancestors. The rain persisted, washing the blood from their scratches. At the peak, the horse unsheathed the sword, the warrior snorted, and each turned their way, facing the other.
Gabriel Rusu
I told myself that after all the years of hard work, I deserved more. Finally, retail seemed to reward me generously. Being a manager at a local store sounded so good that I bought two new shirts. I wasn't longing for the position, but for the promised pay check, which, at least for the moment, had a damn pleasant taste. I went confidently to human resources. I uttered a clear yes, after which I fell silent. The second paragraph killed my enthusiasm for work. Just a half, I ask? For the time being, yes, the response I receive.
(Translated by Andreea-Daniela Vasilache / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year II / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.