David Brescan
The dogs are chewing on the rotten legs of the ones who have slipped too low on the stakes. They are scuffling over some severe dankle with strips of meat. Among scattered shin bones and toes the rats are feasting on the bits of meat swarming with worms. The crows are clinging on the skeletal shoulders of the ones impaled and with their beaks are scouring the brains through the hollows of the eyes. The stink is floating thick in the air. Death is covering his nose, out of disgust. He takes a glance at the scythe in his hand. Embarrassed, he throws it out of sight. From this day on he will be using a stake too.
Carmen-Ecaterina Ciobîcă
Hello. I'm calling you regarding Vlad. It's not going well. His behaviour is not up to snuff. He scratches and bites out of nowhere; he scares everyone off. Some wail just because they see him. He likes to squeeze in the most hidden corners, which makes us keep our breaths when he does not show up for the headcount. He bites his nails to the bone. Don't be surprised that he is nicknamed like this since he is always having a bloodstained mouth. Oh, you've adopted him a year ago. This explains a lot. Anyway, the parents and the headmistress insist on moving him to a kindergarten for children like him.
Diana Velica
My name is Vlad and I'm looking for a partner. On the first date I like to solve 1-million-piece puzzles. I like walks around the world in the morning and old castles. Recently I've planted a Sequoia tree and it's close to reaching 4000 years old. My favourite hobby? Stone sculpture with the drop of water. If you cannot stop talking, no problem, I have enough time to listen to all sorts of nonsense. If you are also looking for a long-term relationship, swipe right, I promise not to bite.
(Translated by Ana Maria Mitruș / 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.